Gabrielle O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter
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Time to write about another poor draft caused by the Goat Curse.
1. Florida - Gregorio Cordero (C) - So this is the guy that goes #1 this year? Well he's already better than Florida's top pick last year, this one has 1 AB under his belt. 75 grade contact skills, 70 grade power from behind the plate. But he's not all bat, 80 grade plate calling. Those International pitchers the Springbreakers have brought are in sure going to like that. His downside will be his health, but they say he's extremely durable. His 70 grade arm strength and accuracy should help keep runners at bay.
2. Florida - Douglas Laxton (RF) - Big downgrade from who they selected with the player that gave them this pick. Heads are gonna roll! Florida this draft has a type. Injury risk, LOADS of power, and durable, but this guy has the eye too. Should be fine in RF, but don't ask him to run any three legged races with you, his speed ranks up there with their top pick. Word on the street is that Florida had tought about taking Marlon Fowler, who went at #16, with one of their top two picks.
3. Atlanta - Jonnie Daniels (2B) - Likely falls a bit short at sticking at 2B but you have to love that contact (75 grade), power and ability to hit righties (both 80 grade). Good health and makeup both his mom and new owner would be proud of. On the plus side, he could compete in the lower minors as a top pitcher as well. Let's hope he doesn't get stuck in Low A for a few years.
4. Washington DC - Randall Kennedy (SS) - Surprised Florida didn't jump on this guy. Has everything they like in last year's draft pick. Highly rated 18 yr old shortstop out of High School with the last name Kennedy; who also has his heart set on going to college to obtain his Bachelors of Lawn Management. Still unsigned as of this writing, and this writer's guess is that he remains unsigned and chases after his college dreams! I'm sure DC hopes next year's draft class is better than this one.
5. Philadelphia - Dan Phillips (3B) - Let's start with the positives, healthy as an ox...a newborn baby ox at his 5'-9" and 166 lbs frame. Likely a .255 hitter, but lacks the power of a typical corner infielder, that is if he has the arm strength to stick at the hot corner. 60 grade bat across the board, reliable but could have done better. Will not be the one you look towards for that big hit in a tight game. Has the speed to grab 25+ SBs if you let him run.
6. Chicago - Carl Conine (SS) - What a great glove Carl 'Chubby' Conine from Chicago has. He won't net many home runs or stolen bases, but this guy will hold the shortstop position well and may win a few Gold Gloves in his career. With the speed of a catcher it makes you wonder how he'll develop his range and glove. 80 grade contact, but only 65 grade splits with a 55 eye. How much will that hold him back, only time will tell. If he winds up hitting in the .270-.280 range some managers might hit him second others in the upper half of the bottom of lineup. Solid pick for #6 off the board.
7. Austin - Trever Kendrick (P) - Our first pitcher off the board and he's heading to Austin. The control might become an issue for this Onalaksa native, but that curveball has potential to rank up there with the top of the league. Hard to gauge where this guy will set in, back end starter, long relief, or bullpen arm that is available twice every third game. Fantastic durability that should help him long his fair share of innings if Austin's manager positions him well. But one things for sure, your team better have a great catcher otherwise opponents will be seeing that 55 grade 4-seam & slider more than that knee buckling curve.
8. Houston - Derek Shaw (CF) - Another great glove drafted in the first ten. His elite range and fantastic glove would have played well in Houston even back in the Tal's Hill days. Great health and durability should keep him in the lineup 99% of his days as a major leaguer. But....can...he...hit? Sometimes. Maybe. On good days when the wind blowing out. Should sit around .235 most years. Careful when he finally does get on base, he'll swipe his fair share. Might even steal your sister if you aren't careful.
9. Los Angeles - Tom Hines (1B) - Drafted as a First baseman and while not best defensively, not the worst either. For half the teams out there he'd still man first, others he'd DH; which is where Anaheim currently has him all the way up at AAA. Anaheim just does move quick, and getting straight to business! Should clip 35+ home runs with at least a .280 average disregarding park factors. It's too bad Santa Fe didn't have a pick in the round this year, would have been fun to see this guy smash 45 home runs on .310 average every season in WhatIfSports Field. Should be fun to see him hitting with S44 draft pick Shea Crowe and S45 draft pick Bonk Burnett. With so many young bats, it's no wonder Anaheim spent on pitching this past offseason.
10. Milwaukee - Keone Webster (P) - Surprisingly still wait on Webster to sign. Sounds like he might be asking for more money with a threat to go back to college. Maybe he and Kennedy are going to study together. Only Father Time knows the value of this pick.
11. Vancouver - Tomas Urias (LF) - Surprisingly he signed to play in Canada and they promptly rewarded him by skipping Rookie ball. I would have gone to college instead of playing in Canada, but maybe that's why I'm here writing and he's there playing, after all he has a great eye and hits righties VERY well. As expected a little worse against lefties, but not by much. Reminds me of a slightly better Canuck leftfielder Harry Gonzalez; low contact skills, good splits, and better eye; minus the speed. Might even take over for him one day. But let's talk about this guy's temper. You could slap his momma and he wouldn't even get mad at you. NICEST GUY IN THE WORLD AWARD winner! That plays well in Canada where they constantly apologize for things. (CORRECTION: Urias started at Rookie and was promoted after a .570 OBP after 20 games)
12. Pittsburg - Teddy Leon (3B) - Wonder if this Ohio native is a Stillers fan? Drafted as a Shortstop but smartly shifted over to the Hot Corner. Not use to hearing smart and Pittsburgh in the same sentence, neither am I! But let's not be so nebby about how they position their players. Good splits n'at power, as long as he can make contact yinz better believe he's taking a few pitchers dahntahn. But that's a slippy slope. Aht!
13. Iowa City - Brace Landsing (RF) - As some would say, a VG bat that likely shifts over to LF. I'd be extremely happy with a .290, 35+ hitter this late in the draft who perhaps takes over to current Derecho Rider LF Thumper Overbeck; who strangely hasn't done a lot of thumping these days. Has the right makeup, temper, and patience for make it to the big leagues as long as he continues to grow. Minimum 60 grade across the board but his contact and power goes up to 70 grade and a batting eye of 65 grade. Will definitely have an impact at the ML level. The owner must be happy with this GMs selection.
14. Arizona - Gary Halladay (LF) - If he could face nothing but righties, he'd be a .300 hitter easy. Mix in some lefties and it drops drastically. Not great power for a First baseman, and but baserunning that could add 15-20 stolen bases a season with the right assistance from base coaches. Has some health concerns but with the right training and medical staff, a team shouldn't have to worry much; not like he's going to miss a month of games due to sneezing.
15. Tucson - Alcides Terrero (P) - What is it with the pitching in this year's draft? Tucson is likely asking for a do over on this one. Great stamina and durability; but that only matters if you can get people out. Many scouts think Terrero will struggle with his control and splits; but his saving grace just might be that pitching quality 4-seam and sinker. Given the option for two top notch pitches, just might help me make it to the bigs. Thankfully he knows how to keep the ball in the park as well. Let's hope there is a good defensive team behind him. Interesting selection for the rebuilding Armadillos.
16. Dover - Marlon Fowler (CF) - Rumor has it, this guy almost went #2 overall to Florida, and who could blame them. What's not to like about this guy. 80 grade contact skills, 70 grade batting eye and splits vR with 60 grade power. Enough speed to add a couple of stolen bases. Might struggle with lefties, but who doesn't. Good health and pretty durable. High patience, low temper, and good overall makeup. He might just be in Rookie league this year, but something says we'll see a lot more of him to come. Drafted as a Centerfielder, but Dover has him shifted to Second. Another great late draft pick.
Let's go prospects, it's nearly your time to shine!!
