Gabrielle O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter
- New York Empire - To no surprise, they selected nobody. Improving the ML roster only hurts the chances at a repeat #1 draft pick next season.
- Dover Hazmats - They had some room on the 40 man but after all those Free Agent signings, perhaps no room on the ML roster. In a typical year I wouldn't blame them for passing, but this year there was some ML talent that could have helped.
- Austin Sons' of Odin - Our first actual pick in the draft and they go Bob Fullmer. What is this, Fullmer House? Go back to Azgard with this pick!
- Tacoma Aroma - Something smells around here and it's Reese Jacobs' ability to field at Shortstop. Just because he's highly rated, doesn't make him useable. Though his bat is great....if he could play shortstop. He'll be nothing more than a .300 wOBA (well below average) hitter at best.
- Mexico City Staring Frogs - When you draft a Shortstop in the Rule 5, this is the type of guy you get. Has potential to hit lefties, but will produce on the defensive side of the ball. Why is that a saying, the ball's round?!?
- Pittsburgh Yinzers - $5 bet says the commish couldn't read yinzer so he passed up this pick altogether. No Pick.
- Colorado Springs From My Loins - This season is all about Jorge Johnson. We can't have any new rule 5 pick coming in and stealing his thunder! No pick.
- Augusta Alcoholics - The team goes for 2B Von Wright and I think this pick is Von Wrong! Perhaps the team likes his power which might...MIGHT net them 15 HR with maybe 3x more strikeouts than walks and a .305 wOBA.
- Washington DC Nationals - Fantastic pick here, can't believe the Nationals landed MIKE TRO....wait, it's his third cousin from Palo Alto, Cali whose only real experience is MLB the Show? Perhaps this guy is friends with Donovan Romano, except Chad doesn't have the home field of Santa Fe helping him out. Not a bad pick for the Rule 5.
- Milwaukee Metronomes - No pick is an interesting tactic for the Metronomes. Perhaps they didn't find any music to their ears this season.
- Salem Bourbon Makers - The Bourbon makers go with Santos Mercedo, P; but he's not projected to finish the season at the ML level. He'll likely be offered back, rejected by Helena and regulated to AAA ball.
- Santa Fe Surf Riders VIII - Now this is a pick. Controllable ML ready arm who should keep the ball on the ground most days; which is exactly what Santa Fe needs. Plus side, it comes at the expense of their division rivals.
- Charleston Offspring - Speaking of that division, Charleston makes a solid bullpen pick with S54 Fireman of the Year and All-Star, S55 All-Star and World Series champion Darby Hatcher who the Chicago Gunslingers had just traded for this season but decided to not assign him to a roster and let him walk.
- Buffalo Bisons - No pick
- Jacksonville Lizard Kings - No pick
- Anaheim Diablos - No pick
- Montreal Fighting Poutine Plates - Canada was hungry, most likely because all they eat are Tim Horton's donuts and maple syrup shots; Les Padden is a diamond in the rough but is starting to look more like just a shiny rock. A polished turd is still a turd.
- Tokyo Nomo - All the way in Japan, the Nomo needed One Mo and selected Kike Guardado; which similar to Mexico City's pick at #5, projects as a solid defensive glove. What a fine pick this late in the first round. I would have expected him to go top 5, if not top 10 for sure.
- Vancouver Canucks - On the other side of Canada goes Miguel Perez who is healthy as an ox and has potential for a spot start or janitor pitcher. What this kid is famous for, is knowing how to throw just about every pitch there is; rumor has it he even knows how to throw an eephus pitch.
- Columbus Corgis - No pick
- Philadelphia Harpers - We'd have to look back up who Philly has starting at Catcher, but Mateo's pitch call ranks up there with Lance Gilmartin, Gregorio Cordero, and Chuck Herdnon; but doesn't quite offer the bat to match. Still if the need is there for a backup or late inning defensive replacement for a middle of the road starting catcher; he's a solid bet for a few late innings.
- Boston Baseball Team - No pick
- Minnesota North Stars - No pick
- Helena Hot Dogs - No need, no pick
- Oklahoma City Barons - No need, no pick
- Salt Lake City Punk! - No need, no pick
- Chicago Gunslingers - This is one way to rebuild, trade for a player and let them go in the rule 5. Gunslinger fans can forget about Odrisamer Duran.
- New Orleans Hurricane Dodgers - NO.HD drafted 2B Michael Iwazaki; but what they should have done is held on to Ted Suppan with their big need of starting pitchers.
- Huntington Tropics - No need, no pick
- Houston Space Cowboys - No need, no pick
- Hartford Rising Stars - No need, no pick
- Atlanta Expos - No need, no pick
Alright folks, that's the first round of the Rule 5, let's see if any of the picks in Rounds 2 thru 4 pan out. I'm sure we'll see plenty on the waiver in no time. Do we take any bets on who the first player will be?