S18 Draft Review by holer

AL South

Wichita Rocks
Needs: CF, SP. Also, overall defensive ability at the skill positions could be upgraded

Draft Expectations: Very High. With 3 1st round picks and 8 picks in the first 5 rounds, Wichita should expect a solid influx of fresh talent into the system.

Draft Preparation: With so many picks at the top end you would think barjaz would have spent more heavily on scouting. On a more positive note, barjaz maximized his prospect budget to ensure he had the cash available to sign whomever he wanted.

Prospects

Round 1 Pick 18
 2B Robin Shipley  - high school standout with solid defensive ability, a strong bat, and blazing speed to combine with great baserunning instincts. Shipley is a prototypical 5 tool player. A steal at No. 18 overall, he will quickly ascend the minor league ladder and have a solid ML career. His outstanding range will make him a yearly contender for the 2B Gold Glove, and look for several all-star selections as well.
ML projection: 15-20 HR/.285 BA/50-60 SB

Round 1 Supp Pick 38
 3B Achilles Hogan  - Another high school star, Achilles is not the polished player Shipley is. His defense is mediocre at best for a 3B and may be better suited to RF. although he can run, at the ML level he needs to be selective or he could cost his team runs, and ultimately, some games. That being said, he is a solid hitter and should have no problem finding work on an ML team somewhere.
ML projection: 20-25 HR/.260-.270 BA/10-15 SB

Round 1 Supp Pick 49
SP Butch Cradle  - A highly talented pitcher, Cradle would have gone much higher in the draft if not for his significant control problems. He was a legend in junior college for beaning the opposing team's mascot with wild pitches on 3 seperate occasions (New Yorkers do love their unusual sources of entertainment don't they?) At pick No. 49 he does present a worthwhile gamble.
ML projection: 10-12 W/3.80 ERA/150K/110BB/.220 OAV

Round 2 Pick 62
SS Charley Kimbrel  - Miscast as a SS, Kimbel is much better suited for 3B, a position which he would be a defensive stud. He is not a basestealing threat, but does run the bases capably. Offensively, he consistently puts the bat on the ball, but only with a modicum of success. At best he can fill in at the ML level as a utility infielder as ML pitching will overwhelm him.
ML projection: spot duty

Round 2 Pick 75
CF Rob Vining  - Outstanding defensive CF, Vining is a solid pickup at No. 75 overall. He can easily fill in at any OF position in a defensive role, plus his speed and baserunning make him a solid pinch running option.
ML projection: role player in close games

Round 3 Pick 107
LF Harry Romo  - Not enough talent in any one area to warrant time in big leagues. May see a cup of coffee as an emergency replacement

Round 4 Pick 139
SS Marv Burke  - Another outstanding find at No. 139 overall. Easily capable of filling in at any position defensively at the big league level. His uncanny ability to hit left-handed pitching will also earn him at-bats in that capacity as a pinch-hitter.
ML projection: role player in close games

Round 5 Pick 171
2B Clem Haren - Huge signability issues. Good luck on that 5.5 mil bonus there buddy!

Hidden Gems: RP Farmer Torres ?

Overall grade: A
Amazing how barjaz finds such solid top-end talent with such a low scouting budget.

ARod Video Blog - March 26, 2011 12:53 PM

Early NL action.

What is striking so far in the NL this early season is the PARITY.  Yes, tmantom3285 has jumped out to an impressive 18-4 record (I thought this would have been St. Louis), but there are 11 of the remaining 15 teams who have at least 10 wins. 

Personally, I feel that parity is a good sign for Arod.  A balanced league without too many top heavy teams and too many disaster teams is a good thing.  If this continues to play out, as teams remain competitive and fight for playoffs spots, we could see some very interesting trades.

Pre-Season Team Rankings

by  holer , bigparb13 , dengodd2 &  safetyman

The Elite:
1. St. Louis Redbirds
Defending Champions - #1 overall by default; Alex Torres going to be even better this year.
2. Chicago Blagos
Hard luck team needs final piece to get over hump. Can langer replace Albie Villano?
3.  Jackson Colonels
An ever improving team making it's way up the rankings led by Ralph "Billy the Kid" Kydd.
4. Anaheim Hell Raisin Jalapenos
Knocking at the door for a few seasons now.  Has EBzer's window passed?
5. Syracuse Psychos
  Stars getting older but still enough for legendary owner who knows how to win.


The Challengers:

6. Iowa City Rounders
Gio Hernandez and solid pitching staff leads the way, but can they score enough runs?
7. Wichita Rocks
Majority of the team in it's prime, ready to win now in super tough division.
8. Little Rock Minute Men
Safetyman always has them in the hunt and is a master of the big trade
9. Burlington Booya
A team of stars and fillers needs more consistency.  Are they ready to make a World Series run?
10. Arizona Sun Dogs
Plenty of firepower with Omar Castillo and co. but 40_dog  needs to shore up the rotation  


Middle of the Pack:

11. Toronto Legion
  The "Ghostship" ran itself to the World Series last year.  Advice for thisdude62....do nothing.
12. New Orleans Pelicans
Not as powerful as they once were, but S17 AL MVP Frank Robbins and co are plenty dangerous   
13. Vancouver Shock
Good balance. No glaring weaknesses, but no real strengths.  Can Raymond Brock bounce back?
14. Montreal Coqs
ex-Flockers, can sir_hc121 fill the legendary shoes of dblaine? He needs Aquino to be huge.
15. Tacoma Downriggers
Very young team looking to improve with holer back firmly in control.
16.  Santa Fe Sluggers
Better than record. Good offense/bullpen. Abysmal rotation.  Can I get a witness!!!
17. Augusta Polar Bears
Where's the starting pitching?  Better hope young bashers can win 11-10 every night.
18. Scranton Squirrels
Shockingly kow stamina pitching staff.  It's going to be hard........that's what she's said.
19. Trenton Thunder
Below average rotation, brilliant bullpen.  Karl Hurst will need to be extra special.
20.  Kansas City KC
Once mighty franchise is a shadow of former selves.  Can new owner make them a winner?

Still got work to do:

21. Washington DC Senators
Mediocre pitching better hope the Senator have a big season at the plate.
22. Cleveland Curse
A few sluggers but pitching is scary bad.  Free Yank Bryant!!
23. Las Vegas Bishes
Enough pieces to start climbing.  Will it be this year or next for funhat to make his move?
24. Scottsdale Raiders
Perenial underachievers.  No more Dan Stuart and the swan song of Dante Ming.
25. New York Yankees
Can compete, but rotation is a long, long way away....in a galaxy far, far away.
26. Texas Wildcats
Spent huge this off-season.  Time will tell if this translates into wins.  

Hurting:


27. Tampa Bay Don Caesars
Everything is middle of the road. 
 28. Buffalo Springfield
Some offense, but major pitching issues.
29. Toledo Mud Hens
Some good building blocks to work with
30. Philadelphia River Rats
Not enough of everything.
31. Milwaukee Boomers
Bigjasiu knows where he stands and he will bring this team back.
32. Seattle Water Wolves
Surprisingly, there are some adequate pieces to begin building with.