S61 Draft Recap

Gabrielle  O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter

Yet another draft season in Cobbfather, so let's round up the Rule 4 draft. The blog continues to have the best scouts in the league! We'll do the same as last season and add in current ML comps to most players. As a reminder comps are to match their projections as closely as possible and not what they may end up like. It's up to you to develop your own talent, don't come looking for us to do the work for you. We'll too busy planning our take over of Canada!

1. Cincinnati - Endy Gonzales (SP) - Best pitcher on the board and to a team whose focused position players the last few years; this pick was huge for the new owner. Amazing control, fantastic velocity, who definitely will not struggle against Righties, nor Lefties but they will definitely hit him better. Has a 5th pitch better than many Starters 3rd pitch. Solid stamina/durability combo to keep him in the rotation; even a 4 man rotation if you wanted to go that route. His downside? He's definitely more of a flyball pitcher, which doesn't bode well for the Great American Ballpark in Cincy. He's definitely the ace you look for to build your rotation around. His makeup could keep him pitching successfully into his 40s. No good comps dating back to S54, but we'll say his floor is easily Houston's Carmen Arnold - 1.10 WHIP, 3.55 ERA. Remind you, his floor. Pitching in OKC or Tacoma, I could see a sub 1.00 whip and ERA in the 2s; we'll see about the band box in Cincy. 

Initial OAV: 63, Age: 20

2. New York - Catfish Alexander (RF) -  First High Schooler off the board who also ranks as the most expensive first rounder this draft; with only 3-4 prospects in Cobbfather history costing more. Now be honest with yourself, are you thinking what I'm thinking? He has to be his namesake right, a catfish? Nobody asks for that much money but has limited ability to make contact and hit both lefties and righties. Luckily that power and speed are TOP notch, both will rank in top 5 players of the league but is it enough to make up for the limited splits and contact ability? But the second that power and speed starts to drop, so will his playing time. The wrong arm or leg injury could be a career killer. A little history behind the blog, we started tracking all ML players since S54 and the only comp we could come up with Catfirsh was Chance Conti, who admittedly is 1000% slower than Catfish but offers decently better splits; whose improved on last year's stats and is on a 30-35 HR pace and has averaged close to .275 over the last two seasons. With the speed of Catfish, I assume he'll improve that average while adding anything from 25-45 SBs depending on how much NY lets him run. 
Initial OAV: 53, Age: 18

3. Chicago - Granden Burba (P) - No chance he signs so this pick is punted for a Type D next year - Pick #4. Chicago has the chance to land the #1 pick in S62 paired with their #4; but they also run the risk of the commissioner's office having to replace the owner if they don't get to 55 wins this season - current pace is 60 wins; so not a huge concern at the moment. Burba has fantastic control, great velocity, and two above average pitches. He was due for future success; just not in Chicago. 
Initial OAV: -, Age: 18

4. Fargo - Dave Darwin (SP) - Dave likely evolves into some combination of Diory James and Garabez Castillo; whose pitchers are better than both. We'll take a closer look at Castillo has he has more starter experience which is where we see DD playing. 1.25 whip / 3.30 era. DD also has a solid chance to end up with better control than Castillo though doesn't handle lefties quite as well. But he also comes in with a pretty solid 5th pitch. 10 seasons from now we might just be looking at Darwin as the top player in the draft.  

Initial OAV: 65 , Age: 21

5. Austin - Willie Coomer (RP) - Austin looks to replace Durham who they traded away this season for former top pick Juancito Martin, but while the OAV starts high; the kid has two well above pitches in his Sinker and Slider and a velocity that will receive many a speeding tickets. As a reliever that velocity will surely help get him out of a few jams. Add that to fantastic control and you have an ace reliever in your pocket. He'll handy righties really well but could end up struggling against lefties. Perhaps more of a SuA than a true closer who you trust against everyone on the opposing lineup. In a good season probably looking at a 1.15 whip / 2.50 era with a career average around 1.25 whip / 3.45 era; he's 35-45% better than league average. Think William Martin (Mexico City) or Javy Rodrigo (Retired); probably more of the latter than the former. Both players operated in the Sua role mentioned before. 

Initial OAV: 63, Age: 22

6. Fargo - David Medrano (SP) - This was a Type D pick for not signing Josh Whiteside (P) last season and Fargo doubles down on starting pitcher. Surely one of them will be the future of their rotation right? A good bit of difference between the two; the control, velocity, pitches greatly favors Darwin, the splits greatly favor Medrano. Both should keep the ball in the park on most evenings. Perhaps David should slip into the DMs of Brandon Daniels to see his secrets to pitching; whose been a 1.24 whip / 3.65 era pitcher even if all of those innings have been out of the pen. The velocity is the biggest difference (aside from stamina) is his velocity. Don't expect a ton of strikeouts from Medrano, he'll rely on the defense behind more often than not. 

Initial OAV: 53 , Age: 18

7. Charleston - Bunny Goodwin (SS) - Rumor has it, Foo Foo was top 2 on many people's list. He offers similar power / speed combo to good ole Catfish but handles lefties and righties better, and will also be better in the field; allowing for more versality. At quick glance he gives off Paulo Tabata and Akinori Cho vibes - if either had a ton more speed. If you come in expecting Cho, you'll be let down; while yes he's so much faster he won't handle lefties quite as well and offers slightly less contact on the ball. His range but mostly his accuracy might keep him off short; unless you just don't care about those things - but I'd start him at 2nd or 3rd and watch him win a few gold gloves and possible silver sluggers along his career. Because of that, there's a high chance he ends his career with the highest OAV from this draft class. And his name is Bunny!
Initial OAV: 57, Age: 18

8. Dover - Rickey Burkhart (P) - 6th pitcher drafted this year and we are only on pick #8. Lots of good comps but let's take a closer look at trade favorite, Tony Lim since everybody seems to both want him and want to get rid of him. Burkhart should be slightly better against lefties but EVERYTHING else is nearly spot on. He's nearing the end of his career, and still has a 1.25 whip / 3.65 era. That's right around the numbers of pick #6, Medrano. This draft might just prove to be the best pitching draft we've seen in quite a few seasons. 

Initial OAV: 66, Age: 21

9. Anaheim - Bubba Qualls (RF) - Already rated higher than many AAA players, Qaulls shouldn't need much time in the minors to cook; easily already smarter than many major leaguers on the base paths. Consider Qualls a Carlos Soto-lite; instead of a near 40/35 season; give Qualls a 30/30 with anything from a .280-.310 depending on how many rights and lefties he faces that given year. If opposing pitchers were smart, they'd sit all their lefties against this guy. 
Initial OAV: 68, Age: 21

10. Augusta - Milton O'Shea (2B) - Solid choice here that should stick to 2B and likely hits .300, though he doesn't offer much power or speed; it's his ability to make contact and especially how he handles lefties. He reminds us a lot like Mac Sitton or Dee Valle; though I'd consider Milton better than both. With that .300+ average, you'll get 5-10 HR and 5-15 SB with 5-10 CS. The average will be where Milton provides his worth; hitting at the top of the lineup and getting on base for the power guys behind him to knock him in; much like Juancito Martin - if you flip the splits and add more contact ability. Will be interesting to watch him develop. 
Initial OAV: 53, Age: 18

11. Colorado Springs - Grant Becker (RF) - The Gazette was high on Beckeras a prospect in this year's draft but only because we forgot to send our scouts to go so Endy Gonzales. Who remembers Junior College's anyway! Becker should be similar to O'Shea is SB/CS, but I'd expect the average closer to .275-.280. The clear choice for his comps are Geronimo Nunez and Chuck Herndon; both were 20-30 HR hitters minus that one season Chuck went off for 40. Or is the Gazette completely wrong and he's a .265 hitter with 10-15 HR? You tell us!
Initial OAV: 50, Age: 18

12. Buffalo - Morgan Brooks (P) - Let's comp him to #4 pick Dave Darwin - or rather Diory James and Garabez Castillo just like Darwin was comp'd. 1.25 whip / 3.30 era. Pretty great selection for Buffalo on this one at pick 12. Will be interesting to see which of the two, Brooks or Darwin end up the better pitcher in the long run. See you S71 Redraft article! 
Initial OAV: 63, Age: 21

13. Scottsdale - Cheslor Duckworth (1B) - Solid bat here, think Boone Maxwell as his floor. Or rather Boone's S57 where he hit 50 HR and drove in nearly 130 runs. Maxwell has been more of a 30 HR threat since that career year, but Duckworth offers similar contact, power, eye, and vL; but Duckworth has the clear advantage versus righties. Okay, so I'd temper the 50 HR expectations a bit and go with a 35-40. Though don't expect him to steal any bases. Rumor has it, Sazerac fans are already quacking for Cheslor. 
Initial OAV: 37, Age: 18

14. Philadelphia - Hootie Presley (LF) - His Consultant is Sam O'Shea...wonder if that's any relation to Milton (#10) or Pat (#40). Either way, doesn't look like this Blowfish is going to sign with Philly who finally appear to be entering into rebuild mode. 

Initial OAV:-, Age: 18

15. Jacksonville - Zephyr Andrews (SS) - ZAndrews should be perfectly fine to stay at Short, though his range might be slightly limited, and you'd wish his glove would be slightly higher to make up the difference; but he'll stick. He ate every bite of his Wheaties and is extremely healthy. Durable too. Speed is top tier though a tick above the real speedsters mentioned above, and while not the smartest on the base paths; he knows not to run directly at someone holding the ball. At the plate think Daniel Lindor, current Jacksonville RF; who has a career .260 average with 15 HRs a season; might be in the 15 SB range as well. At RF, I don't like those numbers but at short, I'll take 'em where I can get 'em. In what feels like a weak draft, consider this a W for Jacksonville; locking down their future SS. 
Initial OAV: 49, Age: 18

16. Boston - Rod Hull (SP) - Yet another stud pitcher in the draft, and once again another one that in many years might be the first pitcher selected. The two names that keep popping up for Hull's comps are both relievers, and fantastic ones at that: Joshua Lough and Whit Benoit. Now imagine those guys as a starter. 1.10 whip / 2.90 era. There's nothing fake about Rod Hull, not even his socks. 

Initial OAV: 58, Age: 20

17. Minnesota - Mike Brewer (SS) - The third drafted Shortstop, though he likely doesn't stay at short; a move to 2B or 3B would be smart; though not many great comps for the Brewster. Maybe Junichi Satou? Or TJ Bowman except Brewer hits lefties better and has a worse eye than both. Tough comp but the power is real. 

Initial OAV: -, Age: 18

Bonus. #153 Dillon Wall (RP) - After pitching 6 innings in Rookie ball, scouts became enamored with Wall; with some saying he should have gone top 10 in the draft, if not top 5. His biggest red flag is the stamina, it won't quite be high enough to start so he'll have to settle into that relief role. As a starter he would have comp'd to Victor Ortega who sports a 1.12 whip / 2.92 on his career. In relief he comps as Radhames Machado or even Stephen Ramirez - both were all star relievers and some of the best Cobbfather has seen in recent years - with numbers similar to Ortega's; however Wall won't match those pitchers' velocity. Either way I'd take his projections over #5 Coomer's as the first RP off the board. Now some of you will say, he's a diamond and he won't get there - fine; even at 85% of those pitchers, he's still a top 15-20 pick in this year's draft. 

That does it for the protected picks of the draft. Recap: 8 pitchers, 3 shortstops, 3 right fielders, 1 second basemen, 1 first baseman, and 1 left fielder. Mixed bag of position players and pitchers drafted this year in the early picks. Of the official first round, 32 picks; 16 of them were pitchers - nearly half of which were drafted in the top 8 picks. 

Bonus wise, #2 pick Catfish signed for the 8th highest bonus ever in Cobbfather history and highest since S55's Alton O'Brien. Who? Yup, let's hope Catfish does better than him. Jacksonville's #15 ($3.8M) and OKC's #18 ($3.5M) signed for above slot. Along with a few in the later supplemental round too.  Salem's #79 ($4.9M) and Minnesota's #90 ($3.2M) both signed for WELL above slot. 

Let's go prospects, it's nearly your time to shine!! Check back in 10 seasons to see how things turned out and who ended up being the best pick of the draft.