Season 42 First Round Draft Review: #'s 33-21

I thought writing about this draft would be depressing, but at least among the 21-33 group there look to be some nice surprises, with the Columbus pick of Felhauer at #32 earning a "Steal of The Draft" A+ rating.  Enjoy.

#33 - Jacksonville Fake ID's:  Russ Hoyt, SP - Just signed.  My scouts projected a decent upside, leading to him rising to #17 on my board, but he's   very green and will need heroic development to reach the majors. He'll feature adequate control and a couple of good pitches, but AAA splits.  Only average velocity, but he'll get more than his share of ground balls.  I'd give him a 5-10% chance of making it to a ML LRB role, which isn't bad at pick 33 in this class.  GRADE: B

#32 - Columbus Buckeyes:  Darrell Felhauer, SR - With pretty high scouting, I had moved Fellhauer all the way up to #3 on my board.  His projections suggest 2 excellent pitches, a mid-70's vL, and a mid 60's vR (maybe the only fly in the ointment), and his current ratings are quite advanced.  He could start in High A and easily be a Major League Setup A or Closer by his 4th professional season.  If his Stamina develops past his current 26 at all (which my scouts expect to happen), he might become a 90-inning reliever.  GRADE:  A+  

#31 - Montreal Shamrocks:  Luigi Navarro, P - Even though he's 18 and will have a long time to develop (and will probably show significant advancement in selected ratings, most notably vL), some of his ratings (vR in particular) are just starting too low to ever reach ML levels.  I think his P1 will reach big-league caliber, but the rest won't be able to offset his vR.  I think  Luigi's absolute top end is getting a 5th-starter gig with a rebuilding team for 3 or 4 cheap seasons, and then it's a AAA career.  At this point in this draft, not a terrible pick.  GRADE: C+

#30 - Pawtuckett Paladins: Vic Margot, C/DH - This is the point in the draft where a lot of good C's and DH's get picked, but I don't think Margot will be among those.  My scouts ignored him, so I'm commenting solely on currents: bottom line is he won't be a good enough C defensively or a good enough hitter as a DH to make the majors.  Starting with a pitch-calling rating of 24 all but certainly kills his ML catching prospects, and his current hitting ratings DQ even a vL platoon ML future.  GRADE: C

#29 - Milwaukee Chedda:  Al Young, CF - My scouts were unimpressed, pegging him at #57 on our board.  He'll likely see pretty good glove development, getting to the mid-70's, but his range will likely fall well short of ML CF standards.  He'll have a little pop and a decent batting eye, but his contact and splits don't project to  even AAA levels.  The hope would be that he could develop into a ML defensive replacement/pinch runner type guy, but that's being overly optimistic.  Not at all unexpected at this stage of the draft.  GRADE: C

#28 - Pittsburgh Dream Eaters Sean Ngoepe, IF - Hasn't signed and likely won't, which is a good thing in this case.  He could eventually play ML defense at 3B or 2B, but he swings at everything and righty pitching will forever be a mystery.  Good choice on the hockey career.  I'm going to assume that all the guys picked in the first round who probably won't sign were chosen purposely to get a Type D next year.  GRADE: A

#27 - Boston Beer Bellies:  Greg Rice, 2B - My scouts ignored young Greg, so I'm judging currents only.  Rice is a speed merchant with a chance to be a very special baserunner.  Plus, his range projects to elite levels.  But that's the end of the good news.  His glove is starting at 56, meaning he's not going to be even average at 2B or CF.  His hitting ratings are not starting at pathetic levels...IF he was going to project to a defensive CF or 2B.  It's not totally out of the question that he could be a pinch-runner and defensive backup at 1B/LF, but how many of those do we actually see.  Not a bad pick based on the speed but only a minute chance of reaching the Bigs.  GRADE: C

#26 - Jackson Mississippi Moonshiners:  Audy Treanor, RF - My scouts missed him but did take a brief look at his cousin Dave.  I really have no idea based on his currents...my advanced scouting  (of 0) suggests a borderline AAAA/ML vR corner outfielder with just enough power and on-base ability to stick around for 4 cheap years and maybe land a  bargain-basement FA contract or 2.  He won't contribute much on the basepaths or defensively, but will be able to hold his own at 1B or LF.  GRADE: C+

#25 - Honolulu Luau Dawgs:  Giancarlo Lee, IF/CF - My scouts demoted him to #36 due to health concerns, but other than that (no small issue), he's one of this draft's better prospects.  His A game will be defense - he's not likely to become a GG SS candidate, but will probably be able to handle at least some innings (in particular I don't think his arm accuracy will top 75).  But he could be a defensive force at 2B or 3B and possibly CF.  He'll have better-than average contact and vL for a top defender, and his vR and eye will be good enough.  The big question is whether he'll be able to stay on the field; at this point in this draft it was a risk worth taking.  GRADE: B

#24 - Oakland Shillelagh:  Walt Fox, CF - Switch-hitting CF's have a way of rising to higher levels than comparably-talented compatriots at other positions, so in that sense this is a smart pick.  Will he be a ML player?  Only with perfect development and perfect circumstances.  His hitting ratings won't get him there alone...will he be good enough defensively (say, range and glove of even 83/77?) to merit a ML stint?  That's probably the top end but it might be reachable.  Even if that happens he'll likely be limited to 4 min-salary seasons.  GRADE: C+

#23 - Cincinnati Red Stockings:  Mark Bolsinger, 2B/CF - I'd give Bolsinger a little better shot at reaching the Majors than Fox, the guy picked just after him (my scouts has Bolsinger at 22 and Fox at 31).  He has higher upside on his glove rating (maybe up to high 80's), although they'll probably be comparable hitters.  Both will be at the margin, with Bolsinger having the one outstanding talent (glove) giving him a better shot.  GRADE: B

#22 - Richmond High Rollers:  Eric Barden, 2B - Another speed guy whose  defense will at least get him considered for big-league duty.  His baserunning skill is starting at a lower-level that either Fox's or Bolsinger's (#'s 23 and 24) but my scouting suggests it could eventually go higher than either of theirs.  He's not going to be a distinguished hitter in any sense, but will probably be able to handle lefties adequately.  As with Fox and Bolsinger, the question is how his defense develops (I think his Range/Glove will end up around 80/72).  GRADE: B

#21 - Montgomery Scotts: Bill Gardner, P - Didn't scout him, so I have no projections, and he hasn't signed, so no idea.  

From GM silentpadna:  "Regarding the 'worst draft class I have ever seen', my draft was successful. Although I did not draft with a Comp D in mind, my guy said he's playing hockey. So I hope next season's class is better. I really didn't want this guy in round 1 anyway."  GRADE: A