Draft Review

With the first pick of the season 24 draft, Fresno selects Javier Posada, catcher, Fairmont High School in MN (didn't like Maple River?). Good defensively but doesn't possess the Pitch Calling skill and his arm could be problematic at times. He has a big bat which lured Fresno into taking him with the number 1 pick. Truthfully I consider him more of a DH than a catcher which makes him a possible future trade bait later with an AL team. 

Grade: A-

2. Andy York, CF, 
Burlington Lake Monsters: I am not that inclined to believe he can play CF but 2B has its rewards. I like his hitting style more than Posada though not as powerful. His speed enhances is ability to be a great ML player.

Grade: A+

3. Joe Stockton, SS, Durham Bulls: His health did not scare Durham away but maybe should have. Quality SS is a maybe but 2B/3B is always a distinct possibility. Might have better power number and thefts than York if he has a long career.

Grade: A-

4. Kip Phelps, 1B, Norfolk Tides: He isn't gonna be great defensively at 1B, just adequate comes to mind. Actually has the ability to be a lead-off hitter or in the the number 2 slot even though he doesn't have the speed most look for. Just saying he doesn't have the quality pop most look for in the 3 thru 6 slot and too good to be the bottom end of the order.

Grade: A-

5. Horace Duran, SP, Charleston RiverDogs: Did anyone expect the best starting pitcher in the draft to fall this far? I was hoping one more to be truthful. He could turn out to be a project in the making but does have the possible skills to be very good. Ground ball flame thrower with good to exceptional control, decent splits and pitches. Gets degraded heavily though with the thought of a longer than usual minor league career and health.

Grade: B+

6. Bernie O'Malley, P, El Paso Diablos: With the best hitters and starting pitcher off the boards we turned our attention to the best reliever. We think he could be a bit of a project also as we are hoping he turns out to be the shutdown closer we want.

Grade: A

7. Delmon Walker, 2B, Albuquerque Isotopes: Doubtful he will ever rise above a strong LF in reality. Could be a good power hitter if his contact rises above mediocrity.

Grade: B

8. Julio Pena, P, Augusta Green Jackets: There could be some contention as to whom got the best shutdown closer. Bernie grades out better in the eyes of the scouts but that doesn't mean Julio is no knockoff.

Grade: A

9. Pat Skipworth, LF, Fargo Moorhead Redhawks: LF looks very doubtful in my books and 1B looks more likely. Has some power to go with the very good eye and contact but might need to get lucky.

Grade: B

10. Douglas Milton, 2B, Little Rock Travelers:  Could be a project to play 2B and to hit well for that matter. Has lots of speed but doesn't have much ability to use it.

Grade: B

11.  Alberto Colome, CF, Syracuse Chiefs: Quality CF is a given, not great mind you. Has plenty of speed for the theft department. A tough out as he hits most anything and has some pop to go with it and is very lucky against righties. Home run balls has a tendency to elude him however. Will the health and durability issues keep him on the bench is the question.

Grade: B

12. Howard Bibby, SS, Iowa City Cubs: I had a hard time placing him in my top 10. He has the future ability to be a GG SS but it is doubtful he will rise to the occasion. Hitting isn't exactly his forte but does have the speed and know how.

Grade: B

13. Randy Frazier, SP, Pawtucket Red Sox: How bad was starting pitching is this draft? Here is the second one take with the 13th pick no less and two closers already taken. He is a tough sell to be a quality ML starter in my books. Can his splits rise enough to be useful, are his first two pitches adequate enough. Too many unknowns. Truth be told my second round pick looks just as good.

Grade: B

14. Don Stetter, RF, Oklahoma City Indians: He won't be great in RF but it could be the best position for him other than 1B. Doesn't have great speed but will steal a base form time to time catching everybody by surprise. Could be a decent hitter in the end with some power.

Grade: B+

15. Christopher Sisler, SS, Omaha Storm Chasers: Chances of playing SS is mighty thin to nonexistent as 3B is probable. Can steal a base from time to time. Hitting is a mixed bag as he has some pop and luck but really looks hesitant about swinging. Maybe it is hand and eye coordination.

Grade: B+

16. Todd Pence, SP, Rochester Red Wings: If he was a lefty I would say he could be great buts as a righty, that is a different story. His splits aren't something to brag about and his control is actually so-so good, will his velo, GB and pitches bail him out is the question.

Grade: B

17. Vince Murphy, 2B, Boise Hawks: I thought about taking Vince with the 6th pick just because I didn't think he would sign. If he does sign, you get a guy that can play RF and is a very good hitter with some power.

Grade: A-

18.  Chip Simmons, LF, Toledo Mud Hens: Chances are he will sign. LF looks kinda promising but maybe 1B might be a better influence. Hitting might not be robust but has some pop.

Grade: B

19. Luis Cantu, 3B, Salt Lake City Bees: This is a player I had all over the board before I decided he wasn't worthy of a high pick. Should be a pretty good 3B is an easy assumption. Me and his anemic contact is a head scratcher but the rest has all-star hitting written all over it. How long will it take before pitchers realize he swings ans misses a lot.

Grade: B+

20. Walt Lara, SP, New Britain Rock Cats: Has some good splits but the middling control and pitches just doesn't look very promising at this point.

Grade: B

21. Del Brinkley, SS, Jacksonville Suns: I couldn't decide if he was to be ranked 3rd or 4th on my board. I think he could play SS, well not great but could be a GG 3B or 2B easily enough. Has some speed and power which is highly sought after in any of those positions. Good contact helps him out tremendously but those anemic splits caused his stock to drop, maybe further than need be.

Grade: A

22. Hector Delgado, P, Dover Senators: Good control and some possibly decent splits doesn't outweigh the fact that he has the velo of a little leaguer and very little pitch integrity to go with it. Health is even more of a strikage.

Grade: B-

23. Tony Vallarta, SP, New Orleans Zephyrs: I thought about taking him as lefty starters are not well liked but his health shot that down. I think he might be the most viable starter at the ML level out of this draft and that really isn't saying much.

Grade: B+


24. Cy Spencer, SS, New Britain Rock Cats: Reality will set in sooner or later that he isn't cut out to be a SS as 2B/3B is a better fit with some CF thrown in for good measure. Has some speed but hitting isn't all that great.

Grade: B

25.  Shep Bittle, RF, Las Vegas Wranglers: RF might be too much to handle for him which leaves 1B. Health is an issue Good eye, power and contact but could be a total waste because a right handed pitcher is an alien power to him.

Grade: B

26. Will Kinney, P, Rochester Red Wings: Signing looks doubtful at $8M.

27. Ron Pritchett, 2B, Jackson Generals: Not to give anything away but, he can't play anywhere close to 2B and LF is about as good as it is gonna get. Has speed but hitting isn't all that great either.

Grade: C+

28. Andrew Pearson, P, Norfolk Tides: Health isn't great but short relievers tend to survive that. Here is the catch 22 portion, can he be a closer with very little stamina and high durability. My thoughts would be to use him as a setup B to get out of an inning which is very useful. I actually like the thought put into this pick.

Grade: B+

29. Lou Pettyjohn, SS, New Orleans Zephyrs: Could be a reach at signing which might be good news, at least I wouldn't put much effort into it.  Little or no health but is a solid 3B prospect.  Does well at the plate and can steal a base.

Grade: B+ if he doesn't sign, B- if he does

30. Pedro Santos, SP, Vancouver Canadians: A good pick this late in the draft normally. We are not convinced a starting pitcher can survive long on one pitch and four junk ones.

Grade: B

31. Lloyd Carter, SP, New Orleans Zephyrs: I have had my fill of below 50 control pitchers, they just don't work for long regardless of good the rest is.   That makes this guy dead in the water with me.

Grade: C

32. Al Mujica, P, Louisville Bats: Unknown

33. Amp Young, P, Salem Keiser Volcanoes: Unknown