Gabrielle O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter
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2. Atlanta - Matty Moss (2B) - Moss may be your average 2B defensively, but his speed is where he truly shines. HYPE ALERT! 80 Grade speed and base running, not sure there's a catcher around that will throw him out without luck on their side. If Atlanta lets him run, he could easily steal 100+ bases a season. Great health and more make up than a Mary Kay Selling Associate. The HoF voting committee's focus on power to go along with Moss' average power will be the only thing keeping him out of the Hall.
3. Washington DC - Rocky Steenstra (3B) - Has the defensive prowess to play up the middle, but slotted in at 3B currently for the A- Nationals. If he stays, he should win a few Gold Gloves over the course of his career. Given his average at best bat, I'm curious to see the names further down on this list. Best two skills he has at the plate is his eye and bunting ability. If only he had the speed to make it down the line after laying one down.
4. Arizona - Jose Romano (P) - Our first pitcher off the board. I bet this pick set the Arizona Owner off, on his GM. Heads are gonna roll out in desert. Great makeup, health, and good durability for a starter. He shouldn't walk too many bats, but doubt he strikes out many either. The hitters park in Scottsdale might not be the best spot for the newly nicknamed 'The Cheese'. If he ends a season with an ERA below a Lincoln, I will consider that a good season for him.
5. Charlotte - Wilfredo Martin (P) - Somebody tell the Arizona owner to not keep an eye on this guy's career. Future closer, if you're into that sort of position, that should K at least a bat an inning if not more. Very easy to see a 3:1, K:BB ratio for this guy. Where he faults is his pitch quality. First pitch is reliable but his Slider is slightly above average. If you want a comp, check out David Grichuk of the Atlanta Expos.
6. Chicago - Lariel Ordaz (P) - The two major questions around this guy are: Will he have the stamina to start in the majors and will the health concerns allow him? 65 grade splits but only average control. Luckily he shouldn't give up too many home runs, even in Chicago on a windy day. Likely walks more than he strikes out. Great 4-seam, but his Slider, Curveball, and Change-up all grade out as league average. Then again, how many guys can you say have a 4th pitch as league average, I'll give you a hint; they are all making more than $3M this season.
7. Austin - Johnny Jay (P) - Fourth straight pitcher taken in the Season 46 draft, this one likely the second best of the four. 75 grade control, should easily throw 100+ pitches a game, great durability to eat up those innings season after season. No health concerns and the makeup to last more than his fair share of seasons. Downside of Double J is his weakness against Righties, also known as 90% of the world's population. Should still a sub 4.00 ERA most seasons, just check out Dave Wainhouse. Expect less home runs against and a better pitch quality.
8. Los Angeles - Mallex Borenstein (1B) - Fantastic make up and durability; most medical teams gave him the red flag in the health department. 65 grade across the board with a potential for 70 grade in the power department if he fully develops that sub 6' frame. He's a slower Keith Halter with 10 less HR a season and slightly lower batting average. Guess that's not really a great comparison at all. Let's go with 25-30 HR, .250 hitter, and throw in 2 SBs. He's not dead afternoon, who can't steal at least one base on some of the Cobbfather catchers these days. And they say there isn't a DH in the NL.
9. Philadelphia - Jim Fien (P) - Hands down the best pitcher in the draft this year. Future starter who will leave many hitters....fiening...for a hit. 70 grade pitcher across the board. Good control, velocity, does great against both lefties and righties, and should be able to last long into the game; saving those bullpen arms for another day. His go to pitches are his Sinker and Change Up, but still has a serviceable Curveball and Cut Fastball.
10. Dover - Leo Wood (C) - Our first catcher off the board, if you can call him that. 0 grade range, 30 grade pitch calling, 50 grade arm strength, and 55 grade accuracy. Yup, on a 20-80 scale, he received a 0 in range. If he's receiving, I sure hope his pitchers don't have any below average pitches. Facing this guy is an automatic green light for any speedsters on the opposing team. Why draft Wood in the top 10, two reasons: power and eye. Interesting to note that owners love power as much as the Hall voting committee, wonder why that is. It's like the writers take their cues from the owners. 75 grade power and a 70 grade batting eye. His average durability must be from watching so many pitches so closely and hitting so many dingers.
11. Iowa City - Hector Park (SS) - With a little more range, he'd be the perfect up the middle stop gap any defensive team would enjoy. As the late Stan Lee once said, with great glove comes a poor hitter...or something like that. 45 grade versus Righties, but 70 grade versus lefties. League average contact and eye will be the downfall of his at-bats. Might be a .230 hitter at best but I'm sorry, did I just describe half of the Cobbfather Shortstops? Can you say Roland Munoz with a slightly weaker glove and more power?
12. Houston - Jose Ordonez (CF) - Great range and glove, but he'll need to hit the cut-off man EVERY time. Slightly above average hitter with the power of a little leaguer. And just as you'd imagine, the kid has the speed to make up for it. Has a good eye so might get lucky with a few extra free passes that he could turn into an extra base with his speed. Third basemen better what the line with his combo of speed and bunting ability. Check Vegas for the over/under of 30% of his Hits coming from Bunts.
13. Jacksonville - Chuck Herndon (C) - In this writer's eyes, this is the better of the two catchers drafted in the top 15, and should have gone Top 4 without a doubt. Herndon works great with pitchers, should throw out nearly 40-45% of base runners but has limited range. If you ask this writer, I'll take the great pitch calling and catching stealers to give him a free pass on a few passed balls. And that doesn't even talk about his bat. Imagine having S46 MVP candidate Cookie Rodriguez playing for you at the catcher position? Great health and makeup, could make for a long career for this Ohio native. Definitely one to watch.
14. Pittsburgh - Nap Ross (P) - Killer first name and yet another high potential starting pitcher drafted later than he should have. I could see him following the path of Max Abreu. His downside 60 grade Pitch 2 and health concerns will drive just how good or bad he does in the Majors. I'm starting to see a tread with this Pittsburgh GM, shows no regard for his medical staff's opinion. We'll see if it pays off for him in a few years. Great fastball, keeps the ball on the ground, and walks few hitters. Line up someone like the above Hector Park up the middle behind this guy and opposing teams will struggle to get on base.
15. Milwaukee - Howard Randall (P) - Slightly above average most of the way, slightly better K & Groundball pitcher, which will definitely help prolong his career. Something along the lines of Yorrick Rickard is where I'd place him, just doesn't have the pitch selection Rickard does. Great pick for the 15th overall.
Not sure the goats got this year right, as there appear to be quite a few interesting names out there. This writer's bets are on Nap Ross or Hector Park being the first to make their team's major league roster, but one thing you can say for sure is that they will both beat Lew Kennedy to the Majors. Only time will tell if these young guns live up to their star potential.