Gabrielle O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.
The S57 draft is but a few days away. Last year we looked at each of the teams and how they might be approaching the draft. This year, we'll adjust a bit and look at the top 17 picks to try and predict which route they'll go and who might be able to pick up a surprise pick.
Draft season is just around the corner. This is the time of year that will make or break a season for teams like Tacoma, Mexico City, Dover, New York, and Montreal. As they continue a rebuild, a blown pick could set them back another season or two. Let's hope they don't "a pull a Mini" and are able to secure their picks this season.
- New York - The only time alexng6888 has drafted a college kid was his first year in the league, ever since it's been high schooler after high schooler. The crystal ball says for his 4th straight #1 pick he'll sign a HS kid for $4M and immediately place them in AAA. High School
- Pittsburgh - The last two season's at pick 3, the team has gone with college COFers, there's a great chance that if we see a stud college pitcher; he's going to Pitt. College
- Philadelphia - Philly hasn't had this high of a pick since S49 when they drafted #5 Mitch Dillard. But majority of the time they prefer the high ceiling of the high school kids, but still a small chance they grab another college kid. High School
- Austin - Could be a sleeper pick here, with a small chance that High Schoolers go picks 1-3; Austin could end up with the top college kid in the draft. The last two years they've gone College but were HS the two years prior to that; all top 10 picks. ?? (but think they go College - Hook 'em!)
- Fargo - Welcome to the new owner, but our internet detectives have come up empty on any inside scope about him. A true wildcard!
- Dover - The last time we did this article was S57 where Dover had selected 14 straight high schoolers in the first round but then he went and drafted 3 straight college kids in recent years. Does he switch back? We don't think so, we think this is a new trend. College
- Chicago - Has slash drafted anything but high school kids in the first round? Nope. High School
- New Orleans - Ploppie switched the franchise from drafting College kids under Mini to HSers in S55, we'd expect the trend to continue as the team has committed to rebuilding, don't be surprised if that extra scouting money lands them a college player. High School
- Colorado Springs - Apparently the new trend is HS draftees and IFA spending. Look for top to grab a kid here. It was said. High School
- Washington DC - Could go any way here given keltic44's history but given the the last three picks are likely HS, we think he ends up grabbing a college player. But this is another one we could be completely wrong on. College
- Charleston - opie could really go either way with this one, he likely has the scouting for both. It very well could be 5 High Schoolers and 5 College kids drafted before him. ??
- Columbus - back to back question marks on who to select, but this time does the franchise has the scouting? ??
- Augusta - Another team that appears to flip flop between High School and College players, so your guess is as good as ours. ??
- Tucson - Since taking over the franchise has only drafted one college guy and that was two seasons ago. We'll hedge our bets and go with a HS player, but again less certainty especially after three straight teams who could flip any direction. High School
- Minnesota - The one season cmc drafted a college kid, he didn't even bother signing him. High School
- Jacksonville - rwings has shifted the franchise from drafting college kids to high schoolers, at this rate it appears the league will be nothing but High Schoolers and International stars. High School
- Vancouver - In a parallel alternate reality where Canada is actually a cool place to live, Vancouver who has favored college kids could end up drafting the #3-4 overall college player in the draft at pick 17! Imagine all the unknowns above going with HS drafts. Keep dreaming Canada, keep dreaming! College
There you have folks, the protected picks of the first round.
Final toll:
8 - High School
4 - College
5 - Wild cards that the blog can't quite figure out.
Pretty evened out draft, decent chance of someone slipping to a later pick.
Good luck everyone!