Gabrielle O. Alvarez-Tillman - Contributing Reporter.
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Yet another draft season in Cobbfather, so let's round up the Rule 4 draft. Most seemed in agreement that it was a great draft year, which helps because it seems to currently be a down IFA season. But we'll see who gets scouted over the next 100 games. Let's dig into it! We'll do the same as last season and add in current ML comps to most players - maybe not all. As a reminder comps are match their projections as closely as possible and not what they may end up like.
1. Tacoma - Domingo Rodriguez (SP) - After missing out on Donnie Wilson (P) last season the franchise grabs Rodriguez this year with the top overall pick. As an 18 yr old, he'll have a few years before getting to Tacoma, but he's very promising. Potential to have 3 pitches, his 4-seam, Curveball, and Change Up to be rated 75+ and the 4-seam near 90. 70 grade control, velocity, and splits; with them favoring lefties. His only weak point is his inability to keep the ball down, but thankfully playing Tacoma limits triples (-4) and home runs to either field (-2). Tacoma is where he needed to land and he did! As for comps, he's a flyball Radhames Machado as a starter.
2. Boston - Octavio Salas (RF) - After selected SP Bubba Kennedy last season at the #3 pick, Boston picks up a solid bat. The two should make a fun cornerstone to watch in Boston as they continue to build back up. He's got power and only bench coaches with a strategy of 2 or less will pitch lefties against him. That said, don't count him out against righties either. He'll strike out about 115 times a season but I could see him joining the 40 HR / 40 SB club, depending on the year and how well his contact develops. His contact will be key! The glove will likely keep him at 1B but could see him as a weak glove option in RF. His comps aren't great but I'd say Chuck Herndon with a slightly worse eye but MUCH better speed and base running. Assuming he can stay healthy and on the field. Let's hope he doesn't have Carlos Correa's doctor on call.
3. Mexico City - Aneury Polanco (SP) - dakar came in with a purpose last season and he's reaping some of those rewards this draft. Solid control, great versus righties, and a fantastic 4-seasm FB with an ML quality curveball. Pretty solid velocity and should keep the ball on the ground more often than not. Considering his two comps, I suggest a certain owner will make a play for them next season in a trade. I'm getting a Steve Etherton or Damaso Ethier comp here; probably more Ethier than Etherton.
4. Montreal - Lester Querecuto (SP) - The third starting pitcher off the board early, this one with high stamina and could pitch well into games to give the bullpen a rest if he's really on or make some quick starters to give other starters some rest. He will definitely keep the ball on the ground, Lester hopes he'll have the defense behind him in Canada. Might be the only defense Canada has! There are high schools kids in American who throw faster than Querecuto but it's all about LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION with him. His baseline ML comp this season is Albert Calderone but I expect better things from LQ considering his better control, ability to keep the ball down, and pitch quality. His ceiling ML comp might be S54 All-Star Louis Combs who has slightly less pitch quality but better splits.
5. Helena - Bobby "Bull" Durham (SS) - This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometime it rains. First Shortstop off the board, and most scouts are not worried about him; those that are have some concerns about the throw across the diamond. Nothing this writer would be too concerned with over the course of a long season. His power is limited (40 grade), but aren't most at his position? With the right coaching his speed should be just enough for 25-30 SBs a season, and maybe 20ish HRs. That comp puts him right around Bernie Molina, S54 All-Star at 2B. He might finish his career at another position, but I'm sure every team would take that production up the middle.
6. Tacoma - Ernest Page (1B) - Type D pick for Donnie Wilson (P) - What a pairing with SP Rodriguez who went #1 overall. His power is 80, with 75 grade contact and 80 grade versus righties, though he'll struggle greatly against lefties. But what an inning to watch with the game on the line, bottom of the 9th, lefty closer on the mount and Page up to bat. His healthy and durability should keep him on the field with a little rest here and there. The make-up is fantastic, and being 21 he'll be close to ML ready; in fact owner mcandrews has both players at High A already. Should be fun to watch them develop together. My initial thought was an Alex Tarraga comp with the splits switched, but looking a little deeper Johnnie Daniels is likely an easier comp to think about. But Page offers the potential for higher contact, more power, but less skill versus lefties, and will strike out less. 40ish HRs, on a .285-.290 average with less than 60 strike outs in a season. That average might take a hit given his base running ability; I've seen squirrels on skis have better control. Tacoma, hire the best base coach you can!!
7. Austin - Isaac Monroe (CF) - Always fun to see talent come from Hawaii, but considering his defensive ratings, we'll likely see him shifted off CF before long. The makeup isn't great, but hopefully he can still progress to match his projections. Decent power, splits versus righties, and speed, but subpar contact, versus lefties and eye. I believe his comp is 3B DITR Osvaldo Tavarez; who hasn't quite received full time playing time yet for OKC. My bet hedges on Monroe becoming trade fodder within the next two seasons as Austin looks to improve with experienced ML talent.
8. Anaheim - D.T. "F." Keppel (1B) - Keppel was selected out of High School where he was not only the prom King but dated every popular girl in Mondovi, WI. Speaking of Alex Tarraga earlier, I'd likely use what he's doing this season as his comp. Unfortunately what A.T. was doing two season ago, or even last season would be a bit above D.T.F.'s head. The pessimist might look at Carlos Soto instead and that's not awful; just make slight adjustments in how he handles the splits and imagine Soto with an ankle injury, slowing him WAY down.
9. Tokyo - Bob McDade (3B) - McDade finally signs with Tokyo and costing them 1.24B Yen. To spend that much money must be a sin! McDade is to mashing lefties as eggs are to hens. He might be one of the slowest players to make it to the majors, can I get an amen?!? A comp has McDade and Jumbo Sakamoto in the same playpen. Given the pricetag and comps, I wonder if Tokyo would make this selection this again? Or rather snag a pitcher for their bullpen.
10. Portland - Domonic Carpenter (SS) - Dom's glove might be a light weak to stick to Shortstop but Portland probably hopes his arm strength and accuracy make up for it. His health should be fine, but he'll tire and need some rest throughout the season, might be a little more than just a defensive replacement late in games. If he meets projections the Carpenter has Vince Saarloos comps all over him, but I don't mean what he's projected to be; I mean what he is today. Still very solid for a shortstop in the league.
11. Montreal - Albert "Bartho" Clement - Type D pick for Rick Wilkins (CF) - Montreal is challenging Clement right out the gate, throwing him into one of the toughest defensive positions even though he doesn't project to stay there; though he might shift to third one day. Speaking of 3Bs, ABC's comp is Jhonny 'My Parent's Can't Spell' Rijo, but slightly and I mean slightly; and only by a hair better against the splits. 28ish HR with an average all over the place. For those who scouting Ricky 'The Steamboat' Wilkins, you gotta wonder if this ends up being the better pick.
12. Western Montreal - Eugene Marshall (2B) - EUGENE! He'll be a weak defensive measure at second base but relatively healthy and durability to play an 180 game season. He shouldn't steal much, but then again you wouldn't expect that from a Eugene, especially one that plays in Western Montreal. Definitely the type of guy who picks up your yard after his dog's mess. Let's be done talking about Canada, that's two straight picks. His comp is Vance DeSclafani 'Hani'.
13. Milwaukee - Orel Acosta (SS) - Took a little extra to sign him (value above the #4 pick), but he signed! It's been a few seasons since we've seen such talent this late into the protected picks. Acosta doesn't stay at Short, and but does he shift to Second? His below average power is not what most see over at 3B. Many scouts will be keeping a close eye on Acosta and Carpenter (#10 pick) as they project very similar, though rightfully so; Carpenter is the better of the two prospects. We'll go with the Vince Saarloos comp with the exception that good ole Orel is a tick below in power and splits, but has a leg up with a better eye.
14. San Juan - Ralph "Rolls Royce" Ripken (P) - Considering the shift in budgets, San Juan has no interest in signing Ralph "Roy and won't even receive a Type D selection. San Juan can't be happy about that considering the amount of talent in this season's draft; especially when division rival Austin signed their prospect.
15. Augusta - Greg Sheffield (P) - While Sheffield has enjoyed his visit to the Augusta greens, the same can't be said about Cobb Park. It's pitcher friendly enough, so I'm surprised he didn't want to sign. Or maybe the college education actually means something to Gregory Leonard Sheffield III.
16. Colorado Springs - Chul Shin (1B) - I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when the scouting department sold ownership on Shin. I've seen Rookie ball players who handle righties better than he does or ever will. From time to time you'll see a quality defensive shortstop that still makes the majors; but Chul would be lucky to successfully field a slow roller to first base. His best chance at getting on base is a walk, since he has a decent eye. At best he's Trevor Torres with more power and a better eye. Somehow Torres is on his 4th ML team in just as many years; though in S52 he managed 347 ABs for Helena while they were rebuilding. Torres at least offers an 84 rating in pitch calling.
Recap: 5 pitchers, 3 first basemen, 1 second baseman, 3 shortstops, 1 third baseman, 2 center fielders, a right fielder. Nice all around, and surprised there wasn't a catcher drafted early.
As a bonus, let's take a look at a few others who might have some interest:
- #19 Columbus - Rubi Pujols (SP) - A few years ago this guy would have gone within the top 10 easy, the curse has to be broken! With his 70 grade 4-seam FB he handles righties beautifully. He's basically a starting Whit Benoit. Just a few seasons ago, Benoit went #8 overall. Will be fun to look back in 10 seasons to see just how Pujols compares to some of those drafted above him.
- #23 Huntington - Raimel "Duran" Duran (SP) - Interesting pick from the a club getting close making a solid turn. If managed correctly he could start, but others might put him in the pen. Both have their value, but some Tropic faithful can already imagine Roger Simon starting Game 7 of the World Series, and then Duran Duran finishing out the final few innings. The velocity is lacking, but should make up for it with the quality Curveball and 4-seam that both rate above 80s.
- #32 Buffalo - Endrys Morris (C) - Our final pick to include and just barely made the initial first round. Buffalo had back to back picks, but this is the better of the two. At 19 yrs old, I imagine by the time he's ready to be called up, Buffalo will let Braulio Guardado walk or trade him away for upgrades elsewhere as they are very similar plays. Morris might never match BG's power, but he'll handle righties MUCH better, in fact likely already handles righties better and has a better eye. Not many good comps, so we'll stick to his potential teammate.
Most expensive signing: #9 overall to Tokyo- Bob McDade- $9.48M
Let's go prospects, it's nearly your time to shine!!
