Season 23 Draft Thoughts

1. Luis Almora, P -  Durham Bulls: Worth the #1 pick? Contemplatable I am sure. He does or will have the control and splits of a #1 starter, the pitches might be another story. I do believe he is worthy of the pick and the money.

Grade: A+

2.  Mike McCormick, SS - Columbus Clippers: My scouts say he could be really iffy to play a quality SS or 2B but 3B could turn into a GG super star.  Biggest detriment could be his lack of durability as he will probably inherit the #3 or #4 spot in a lineup. He will be a big hit at the plate with fans which got him drafted so soon.

Grade: A+

3. Pablo Castro, CF - Memphis Redbirds: His scouts must have lied a bit as CF might be a possibility but 2B looking much better. Decent eye, splits and contact with useable speed makes him a wise choice.

Grade: A

4.  Heath Blume, 2B - Boise Hawks: He has created a lot of noise already in chat it hasn't swayed me much though. His Range could turn up short for either 2B or CF but still good enough to play either. What most are wondering is how he will turn out in the hitting department which has varying results. Regardless, he will be a home run hitter me thinks. I know I moved him down in my ranking because I needed pitching more than anything but mainly because I was more worried about his contact.

Grade: A+

5.  Pablo Molina, P - El Paso Diablos: I liked his control, splits and pitches more than the first pitcher taken and pitching was a premium. More concerned about his health but beggars can't be that choosey sometimes especially to a team that needs pitching.

Grade: A

6.  Edwards Barber, P - Iowa City Ions: Control, splits with heavy GB will help the pitches. Should turn into a pretty good lefty if you ask me but takes a hit for it just becuase.

Grade: A

7. George House, RF - Toledo Mud Hens:

8.  Oscar Hodges, SS - Oklahoma City Indians:  Lack of scouting and knowledge hurt in this pick. I wouldn't call it a bad pick but I imagine there were better players on the board that were available. He can play SS as there is no denying that. His hitting isn't all that great but does have the high contact that is required in OK City, just wish the eye was better. Durability isn't strong which doesn't help either.

Grade: B

9. Stubby Houston, 2B - Pawtucket Red Sox:  I had him ranked 5th on my board and I debated taking him with the 5th pick. Oh the power and contact with decent splits and eye! Just couldn't bring myself to take a player that can play 1B as 2B or anywhere else would be a dream.

Grade: A

10. Felipe Matos, P - Fargo Moorhead Redhawks: I see him as a quality reliever with good control, good splits and a very nice first pitch. He might need a quality PC catcher to help with his remaining pitches however.

Grade: B+

11. Garrett Laird, C - Atlanta Crackers: I had 5 players I considered drafting with the 5th pick and he was one of them. I just couldn't justify drafting a 66 overall player with that pick but me thinks he is better than that 66 overall. Great defensive PC catcher with great durability, a hard commodity to find. Hitting is what carries him down, with a so-so eye, even worse splits and power but shows he can make contact. A tough sell this early?

Grade: B+

12. Roger Miller,P - Las Vegas Wranglers: I see him as a reliever and should be rather good at it. Good control, decent splits and some good pitches to go with all that velo.

Grade: A

13. Thomas Forsch, 3B - Syracuse Chiefs: 3B is real close but don't think a prize cigar will be awarded. My scouts see him roaming RF with GG acuteness. Good pop on the bat with some very good splits maybe the eye will be better and the contact prevails.

Grade: A

14. Ricardo Urena, P - Norfolk Tides: My scouts say he is at best a 5 inning starter and may be better utilized in the pen. Good control and splits and two very good pitches to start. Health is a big concern.

Grade: B+

15. Steven Karnuth, SS, Jackson Generals: Doesn't have the range or arm to play SS effectively and will probably end up at 3B. Good eye and contact with above average splits will make him a tough strike out victim. His durability causes zinger problems.

Grade: B+

16. Jamey Mahay, SS - Salt Lake City Bees: Originally I thought his stock may have dropped but after looking things over he might only have been a better fit for OK City. Skills at SS aren't great and would be better at 3B. They say he can read the writing on the ball before it gets to the plate which means he has a great eye and does a good job of making contact but for some reason right handed hitters baffle him. He will sign eventually I do believe.

Grade: B+

17. Wayne Brown, P - Albuquerque Isotopes: Doesn't have the good control but everything else looks fantastic. Starting pitching was a tough commodity in the draft and he looks to be a great reliever also.

Grade: A

18.  Brandon Higgins, RF - Charleston RiverDogs: Biggest knock on this kid is his sub par glove but can get the job done in RF. Hitting is good but nothing to write home about.

Grade: B+

19. Josh Black, P - Seattle Cavaliers: Has the control and pitches that could cover up the somewhat weak splits. A quality starting pick in the future and a good fit in Seattle.

Grade: A

20. Hersh Bush, C - New Orleans Zephyrs:

21.  Napoleon Davenport, 2B - Jacksonville Suns: I don't like his glove at 2B but unsure where else he would or could play that makes sense. Has tremendous base stealing speed and knowledge. A great eye and contact but can only do well against lefties.  Could be a huge undertaking to keep him off the DL. Saying I don't like this pick is an understatement.

Grade: C

22. Esmerling James, P - Rochester Red Wings: Another cliff player as to whether he could be a starter, we don't think so. Has a lot to learn as he might turn out to be a so-so reliever which undermined my initial thoughts.

Grade: B

23. Jacob Chang, SS, New Britain Rock Cats: My scouts say he can play the SS position rather well.  Decent eye with pretty good contact but flounders against the all important righties. His health is seriously questionable. Cats might be hoping he won't sign. #This just in, he isn't going to sign.#

Grade: B

24. Candy House, P - Richmond Braves: Closer or setup? My scouts say he has one too many faults to be a ML closer in reality, low velo, FB and lefty. Still he will possess some good control, good splits and two nice pitches. Now if he can turn a deaf ear to the constant jokes as his middle name is Cane. It could have been worse, like Corn.

Grade: B+

25. Rick Yount, P - Omaha Storm Chasers: Here is a treat for the catchers of this world and hitters too. A lefty with a palmball and knucleball, oh why couldn't he have the screwball too. Decent control and better than average splits for a lefty and those awkward pitches will be coming in so fast the hitters will be diving. Unfortunately he doesn't throw them all that well.

Grade: B+

26. Brennan Penny, RF - Louisville Bats: Bad glove and weak arm makes him a question mark for RF. Good eye, decent splits and arousing power deters his bad contact

Grade: B

27. Dave Bush, P - Charleston RiverDogs: His good control, velo and and GB highlights this pitchers abilities. His lack of splits and less than admirable pitches doesn't help his cause even for a lefty.

Grade: C

28. Bernard Brown, C - Buffalo Bisons: His catching abilities might be a bit of stretch with a glove that will allow many PB's and stopping runners from advancing is not helpful. Pitch calling isn't what one would call helpful either. At the plate though he could become an OBP machine with some power as I moved him up the board to be a DH. Not a good fit in Buffalo.

Grade: C

29.  Adeiny Mesa, 3B - Montgomery Biscuits: 3B might be a stretch but could become a GG candidate in RF. Good eye, decent splits and above average contact could make him good player.

Grade: B

30. Otis Grimm, P, Albuquerque Isotopes: What a list of pitches he has, I don't want to be his catcher...egads! A lefty with some tasty splits and does throw those pitches well. Off speed GB that may struggle with control. A great pickup this late.

Grade: A-

31. Wolf Tucker, C - Iowa City Ions: Idea was to draft the best player available and trade him later. Well, that was my thinking with this pick as another so called catcher was drafted by an NL team. If things work out well he could be an emergency catcher but the chances look slim. He will be good hitter with some pop and being a DH is a probability.

Grade: C+

32. Hoss Thompson, P - Vancouver Canadians: Borderline starter and probably headed to the pen. Has decent control and good splits with velo.  Armed with one really good pitch sank him to the late round.

Grade: B-