AL West Draft Review

Colorado House of Horrors

Picking #4, the HoH needed a good centerpiece and grabbed SP Ronald Higginson, an Indiana high-schooler.  I don't have projections on him, but he's starting with pretty good splits and pitches for an 18-yo.  He's not a dominating strikeout pitcher, but he keeps it low - important for Coors.  Control is never going to a strong point but will be OK with moderate development.  The question at #4 is, "Were there better choices available?"  Maybe - Buffalo's Farquhar at #5 is a better pitcher today tham Higginson - but I think they did OK here.  Grade: B

Oakland A's

Picking at #7, the A's go for an intriguing high school CF out of Thermal, CA by the name of Danry Javier.  He's the classic speedy, high-range, low power CF prospect.  His batting eye is his primary weapon and could conceivably reach the 90's.  If so, he'll get on base enough to at least claim a vR platooner CF job.  He's dreadful against lefties, though, and his strikeout totals will be aggravatingly high.  All-in-all a solid ML player.  Grade B+

Los Angeles Motley Crue

High-school IF Wendell Kapler was the Crue's pick at 16.  Kapler demonstrates why picking "shortstops" this high is usually risky business.  He has the hitting ratings (save for the batting eye) of a SS (meaning he won't hit enough to play anywhere except SS) and the defensive chops of a 3B.  Unless his glove somehow develops to the 85 range (not impossible but highly unlikely starting at 62) I think the best he can hope for is a little-used defensive backup.  Grade: C-

Las Vegas Mongeese

At 19, the 'geese take a closer prospect, New Mexico high-schooler Dion Whitman.  He's got the right STA/DUR for a 1-inning guy, but he's just on the cusp of having good enough stuff.  Can those pitches reach the 80's?  20% chance.  Can his splits get to the mid 60's?  That's the absolute top end.  So, yeah, probably a ML pitcher - not bad for 19 - but far from an impact-maker.  Grade:  B

I found time to do another Power Ranking!

Teams	Rank	win	Ex rank	score	Notes
Kansas City	2	2	1	1.75	The clear number 1
Vancouver	3	3	2	2.75	The clear number 2
Columbus	11	1	3	4.5	I'm still a little skeptical they will have what it takes come playoffs, but their success cannot be questioned
Austin	1	8	4	4.9	Believe it or not they are actually under achieving
Toledo	7	5	5	5.6	Solid team.  No one will be surprised if they win at all.
Jacksonville	5	9	6	7.05	Fading team.  I'll probably start rebuilding them next year.
Milwaukee	12	4	9	7.65	Played above their heads all year, but eventually you are who you are.
Houston	8	10	8	8.9	Fewest negative plays
Toronto	23	6	7	11.35	Would be in the playoffs if they started today.
New York	4	16	14	11.9	An excellent roster with less than excellent results.
San Francisco	9	12	17	12.35	Time to rebuild?
Philadelphia	6	18	10	12.4	5 guys with 20 home runs already
Jackson	17	10	13	12.85	2nd in ERA
Richmond	19	6	18	12.9	6th in wins, 18th in expected winning percentage.
Las Vegas	15	14	12	13.8	Al Benitez has an impressive .203 average against
Oakland	14	16	20	16.4	Luther Padden has been terrific (2.61 ERA).
Boston	27	14	10	16.9	The team still doesn't suck!
Los Angeles	20	12	27	18.15	Hard to win when you are 31st in runs, but somehow they lead their division.
Trenton	10	22	23	18.65	2nd in runs.
Honolulu	13	20	25	19.15	God I regret trading BC Querecuto (2.42 ERA)
Salt Lake City	16	21	23	20	SLC was probably hoping for more from Thad Paramore.
San Juan	18	22	19	20.05	Strong year for David Nathan
Montreal	25	19	20	21.05	I see he is trying to move Heath Dickerson.  Heck of a player.
Florida	22	26	15	22.05	Ezdra will cross the 800 stolen base threshold shortly.
Cleveland	21	22	26	22.7	43.4 million in prospect money spent
Buffalo	31	22	16	23.2	43.4 million in prospect money spent
Montgomery	28	27	22	26.05	First in fielding percentage.
Ottawa	26	29	28	27.85	God I regret trading Lorenzo Rosario (848 OPS with speed and solid play in CF)
Scottsdale	30	27	29	28.4	First in stolen bases.
Colorado	24	32	32	29.6	ERA over 7.
St. Louis	29	30	30	29.7	Bad at everything.
New Orleans	32	30	31	30.85	It’s not pretty

Season 47 NL West Draft Review

San Francisco Fog

With great success comes lousy draft position.  For the Fog, it was pick 32.  They used that to take high school RP Jonathan Garland.  My scouts are actually quite high on him....which make mw wonder what they have been smoking.  Actually, he looks like a good pitcher for that draft position.  The lefty throws well to batters on both sides of the plate with good velocity and two good pitches.

Grade B+

Scottsdale Cardinals

With pick #21, the Cards took college RHP Xander Segui.  He looks like a capable SP who will be a bottom of the rotation type.  He does have very good velocity and his curve and slider will be good pitches, but the other 3 pitches are below average.  Control and splits are all good.  All in all, about a number four starter.

Grade B-

Honolulu Luau Dawgs

With pick fifteen, Honolulu selected JUCO RF Ronnie Grebeck.  He has a very strong arm, but otherwise his fielding screams 1B.  He has plus power and batting eye, with above average splits and average contact skills and speed/base running.  Also, very adept at getting hit by pitches.  Should be a solid player who could make an All-Star team or two.

Grade B

Salt Lake City Trappers

Well, this is a source of shame for my scouting department.  They did not see pitcher Harold Ramirez, the number two pick in the draft.  Salt Lake must be playing hardball in contract negotiations as he is not signed and appears willing to settle for slot money.

Grade Incomplete