Saturday, May 17, 2008

AL NORTH DRAFT REVIEW


 

Chicago Bear Cubs

Needed from the draft: 1: SP 2: C 3: CF

 

1

20

Joshua Murray

RF

22

$2,220K

Average hitter with average fielding for a corner outfielder. Mid level pro if he makes it. With poor splits and a below average eye. Does project good power. Reach for the 1st round

 

1

43

Wes Cox

RF

19

$600K

Left hitting power bat with good speed but poor fielding he can run and understands the base path but is a 4A type player

 

2

63

Alex Stechschulte

P

22

$550K

Decent power reliever who will have a high era but will also rack in the strikeouts. He will not be a dominant closer, but might be a good ML mop-up. Sub 50 splits make him a tough call for close games

 

3

95

Terrell Nance

CF

22

$425K

Speedy below average center fielder. He will be adequate in the minors as a center fielder but will not translate well in the Majors, should move to 2B if he makes it. Horrid splits and a below average eyes says he might not get that chance

 

4

127

Hayes Collins

RF

21

$350K

Could be valuable off the bench as a reserve or injury replacement. Average player who will not jump out at you, but could make the show for a cup of coffee.


 

5

159

Josh Merrick

LF

20

$250K

Best value in the Bear Cubs draft and the one who has a decent shot at major league action. Merrick is fast and can run well along with good power and a good swing versus righties


 

Summary: Did not really stock the minors with what Chicago needed. None of the key positions were filled, further leaving the Bear Cubs with holes in the Minors. No one projects are a solid Major Leaguer and this might be the draft the Cubs will want back in a few seasons.

Grade: D-


 

Philadelphia Hellraisers:


Needed from the draft: 1: C 2: 3B 3: RP

 

1

2

Roger Iannone

RF

21

---

Could be a star but has signability issues. Good hitter with great speed he will never win a gold glove but could be an above- average 1B

 

2

45

Morris Lackey

P

20

$550K

Great control and 3 above average pitches but piss-poor splits make him a poor 2nd rounder. If he makes the pro's he might be lit up more than Britney Spears at a custody Hearing.


 

 

3

77

Ruben Torres

2B

22

$425K

Good fielding averaging hitting player. Versatile enough to play 2B and the corner outfields. He Is quick and runs well could make the majors and stay for a few years.

 

4

109

Andrew Metzger

SS

18

---

No information at this time. He is unsigned

 

5

141

Allen Schultz

P

20

$250K

Right handed specialist, with 1 plus pitch and 2 average pitches, He will struggle to find a niche in the majors but might eat many innings in the minors


 

Summary: .added 1 reliever, but no catcher or solid 3 bagger. The talent that was added in contingent on the signing of 1st rounder Roger Iannone. Team did not help itself with this average draft

Grade: C (if Iannone signs) D if not.


 


 


 

Madison Massa's.

Needs from the draft: 1: CF 2: RP 3: 3B

 

1

31

Gil Rhodes

SS

18

$1,190K

At 18 Gil has a lot of growing to do to make his potential. He projects to be a plus hitter with good power and fundamentals, he could play almost anywhere in the field in a pinch

 

1

35

Sean Swan

CF

20

$920K

A weak batting eye but a powerful bat when it connects, Swan is a plus fielder at Center. His speed also makes him an asset to any team.

 

1

37

Diego Cruz

P

18

---

3 pitch power reliever he can smoke the best hitters with his plus splits and good control. He is fairly developed, but has signing issues might play college basketball

 

1

40

Bert Jones

LF

18

---

Projects to be an average hitter and fielder with plus speed and some power. He is borderline Pro Material.

 

2

74

Kenny Maurer

P

19

$550K

3 pitch bottom of the rotation type, who will make a living on a career 5 era and pension to get hit hard

 

3

86

Herman Chance

2B

19

$425K

No power speeder, who could be a plus lead off guy. His fundamentals are sound and he will be a good 2b or center fielder when given the chance.

 

3

88

Stubby Wilson

1B

20

$425K

Buying a good bat here, but stubby can also play 1b adequately. He has the potential to have injury issues and is not someone you want in late in the game either running or hitting for strategy.

 

3

106

Austin Jeffcoat

RP

20

$425K

1 pitch reliever who has above average splits and average control. He is not going to overexcite anyone


 

4

138

Bruce Spencer

RP

19

$350K

Average long reliever or mop-up pitcher he is not going to excite anyone with his style, but he could sneak onto the club and get a few wins in his career.

 

5

170

Hal Reagan

1B

18

$250K

All power DH/1B he is not going to do much but swing for the fences. Is capable of making short work out of left handers and has a good batting eye.


 

Summary: .added 2 reliever possibly 3 , and a solid center fielder, Gil Rhodes could be the 3B they need, the major question mark is why so many 2b'S When this is a position of strength for the club. It is hard to go wrong with so many picks.

Grade: B+


 

New York Bombers.

Needs from the draft: 1: C 2: 2B 3: LF

 

1

23

Sergio Cuddyer

RF

18

---

NO INFORMATION and UNSIGNED

 

2

66

Gregg Schoeneweis

RF

18

$550K

Slap hitter who fields poorly but might be a gold glover at 1B. He understands the game and will make a solid contributor to an established team. He will never star.

 

3

98

Ray Bush

C

18

$425K

Solid hitting catcher, who offers little in the way of his ability to call a game or throw out a base stealer, might find success as a DH and backup catcher for the Bombers.

 

4

130

Julian Haynes

C

18

$350K

Another good hitting catcher, Julien is a better pitch caller and a more balanced attack against base stealers, he does struggle with poor pitches over the plate, but still has the skills to earn a stay in the pros.

 

5

162

Christopher Redding

LF

21

---

Solid 1b with plus speed and average hitting. He is well developed and should move quickly through the minors


 

Summary: .brought in the needed catchers and tried to get A good corner outfield. The Bombers put themselves in a good position with this draft and made no real reaches except with their 1st rounder.

Grade: C+ until I know more about Sergio Cuddyer

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