NL South Draft Review S15

Austin BUTCHERS

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	Summary
2	90	Jude Wright	P	18	HS	$550K	4A RP	Poor durability sabotages an otherwise decent prospect. Jude has decent splits and 3 pitches and good control, but needs durability to be a solid everyday guy.
3	123	Stephen Glynn	P	20	JC	$425K	AA	Poor splits and poor durability will keep him from the ML and probably AAA.
4	155	Moises Medrano	P	21	COL	---		NOT SCOUTED
5	187	Quinton Sierra	P	22	COL	---		NOT SCOUTED

SUMMARY: Without a 1^st round pick and looking at the 90^th pick as their shot to redeem themselves. They did an okay job with Wright but he will not make much of a splash in the Majors if any.
Grade: D

Florida Sting Ray

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	SUMMARY
1	8	Gordon Potvin	P	20	JC	$3,350K	ML SP	Solid #1 starter good splits 3 solid pitches. His poor durability will force him to miss a few starts but that might be his biggest knock
1	50	Warren Carson	1B	18	HS	---		NOT SCOUTED
2	72	Timothy Wall	CF	21	COL	---	AAA	Fast but a below average runner, average bat and a NFL Dream. Let him go after that dream.
3	105	Stewart Reed	SS	18	HS	---	4A	Defensively he is solid, but his poor bat will be more problems than his great glove.
4	137	Mel Darr	P	18	HS	$350K	4A	Good pitching mechanics but an average pitch selection. Might get a chance in the league, but it will take a special owners
5	169	Charles Ward	CF	18	HS	---	Utility BENCH	Defense and speed are at least 2 tools to the ML. he has no bat, but with those 2 tools he could be in the league has a pinch runner and a fielder. Probably will not sign though

SUMMARY: Potvin will be a good ML pitcher, Someone might consider him as a closer role, but I think he is suited to star in this league. Ward in the 5^th round also seems to be a capable late round pick. I think without even seeing Carson the draft was biddle of the road, It won't change the teams direction alone, but gives Florida a few small pieces to build on.
Grade: C+

Memphis Amon-Ra

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	SUMMARY
3	122	Lonny Swarzak	SS	22	COL	$425K	4A	Has the defense to make the ML, but lacks the bat. He has the speed, but lacks the base running he's in the limbo between the ML and the Minors
4	154	Charley Stults	1B	18	HS	$350K	ML	Solid 1b prospect, but his type are a dime a dozen, he has potential to make the league and last until he wants to be paid arbitration.
5	186	Marlon Murphy	P	21	COL	$250K	ML Setup	Good splits and solid 2 pitches , but poor stamina and not enough durability. A 1 batter specialist might be his career.

SUMMARY: No picks in the 1^st 2 rounds and yet they pull down 1 Major Leaguer it Stults. Nothing special though
Grade: C+

Monterrey Metros

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	Summary
1	9	Lou Robinson	P	22	COL	$3,250K	ML RP	Good durability and stamina for a reliever. He will be a classic 100+ inning pitcher. He has average splits to go with 2 pitches and great control.
2	73	Quinn Terry	3B	20	JC	$550K	AAA OF	Good power hitter with decent splits but poor batting eye. Not sure he isn't more than a AAA crusher.
3	106	Kerry Middlebrook	P	22	COL	$425K	AAA LRP	Long reliever with decent splits combined with average pitches. Not going to make enough pitches to last long in the majors.
4	138	Theo Brinson	P	21	COL	$350K	4A	3 pitches and below average splits, might come up in the league as an injury replacement, but I would not invest in his baseball card
5	170	Jocko Goodwin	P	22	COL	$250K	AAA	Below average splits and pitches, but will eat a lot of innings in the minors

SUMMARY: for the 2^nd straight year they spent their #1 pick on a top flight multi-inning relief pitcher. This Pen has the potential to be the best in the league between Robinson and Henry Terry (S14 #1 overall) Now the team needs to invest in a few more bats to drive in the runs so these guys have the lead to maintain
Grade: B-

NL EAST DRAFT REVIEW S15

ATLANTA BRAVES

Round	Pick	Player	Age	Pos	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	SUMMARY
1	7	Tony Matos	18	P	HS	$3,440K	ML SETUP	Solid Reliever, but he is a reach so high in the draft, great splits, 2 pitches and solid stamina, low durability/stamina combo though
1	35	Bruce Mahoney	18	RF	HS	$920K	AAA cup of coffee in the ML	Great speed and base running potential, but his makeup is low enough to make teams doubt he makes his projections, weak batting eye and a poor left handed split further limits Bruce's chances.
1	43	Quinn LaRocca	20	P	JC	$600K	ML Setup	LaRocca could be a great reliever if he makes his potential, but his extreme poor makeup will make that a challenge. He has some development and could make the ML with moderate growth.
1	49	Neftali Javier	18	P	HS	$600K	ML LONG RELIEF	Potential is there for a solid reliever, his stamina will keep him from making a lot of starts in his career. Good control and decent splits should get him to the Show, Poor makeup will make him a passing interest.
2	67	Matt Bruney	21	P	COL	$550K	4A SETUP	Might get a shot in the ML, but he has average splits and slightly better pitches, good velocity means he will strikeout a few, but his poor durability will limit him.
2	71	Heinie Howell	20	P	JC	$550K	4A SETUP	Can't get a left out, but as a right hand specialist he might have some success, good durability and control but only 1 knockout pitch
2	89	Trent Green	18	P	HS	$550K	AAA	Poor splits, decent pitches, great control. No chance to make the ML.
3	104	Flip Rowan	22	C	COL	$425K	AAA	Good bat, but a struggle in the field, a team could get away with him as a catcher, but the question is does his bat really make up the difference. Below average makeup will keep him out of the ML
4	136	Merv Clark	22	P	COL	$350K	AA	Poor control and barely average stamina will limit him to a minor league career.
5	168	Julio Francisco	22	1B	COL	$250K	AA	Doesn't hit enough to play 1B for anyone, he actually runs so bad it might hurt a team if he gets on base.

SUMMARY: Atlanta was a team that needed a great draft of some solid hitting prospects. The farm already has a stable of young and talented pitching. I think the saying goes you can never have to much of a good thing. Again Atlanta reloads their bullpen with quality arms. They should look to convert a few of these guys into one great bat to build around for the future.
Grade: C

Norfolk Train Wrecks

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	SUMMARY
1	15	Gustavo Figureoa	2B	19	JC	$2,152K	ML	Solid LF prospect, but far from spectacular. He has good power, solid splits and batting eye, but is a poor fielder. His low makeup might make him a reach to make the ML as a full time starter.
3	112	Francisco Gandarilla	SS	20	JC	$362K	ML Field specialist	Not much of a hitter, but a great fielder in potential, he also has almost no makeup but is pretty well developed might be close to his fielding potential when the time comes.
4	144	Joey Leslie	SS	18	HS	$298K	AA	Defensive specialist, his poor splits and no makeup, do you even develop with makeup around 0?
5	176	Dusty Morandini	CF	18	HS	$225K	AA	Good fielder, good runner, piss poor hitter, he hits a DITR on his hitting and he could be in the league

SUMMARY: Farm is starting to look healthy with a few good prospects from last seasons draft and a few solid young prospects already in the league to build around. Figureoa has good potential, but I'm not sure he can be depended on to make a quick impact in the league. Gandarilla might be a solid pick for a team needing to fill just a need, but Norfolk needs more all-around talent at this time
Grade: C+

Pittsburgh Pirates

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	SUMMARY
1	5	Lew Crosby	SP	19	JC	$3,630K	ML ALL-STAR	Great starting pitching with 4 great pitches excellent splits and control. Great strikeout velocity to boot. This guy should dominate the league when he makes it.
1	25	Chris Martin	SP	19	JC	$1,750K	ML	Has the pitches and control to be great, but his splits will limit his effectiveness, could be a bottom of the rotation guy, but he will be a 5.00+ ERA guy
1	34	Hugh DeWitt	P	18	HS	$960K	ML CLOSER	Could be an effective reliever with his good control and decent splits, he has 3 good pitches and teams would consider him a fine closer
1	48	Max Picasso	SP	20	JC	$600K	ML	Middle of the rotation guy who throws a soft pitch, but induces many groundballs a great pitcher for a small park.
1	62	Carter Hensley	SP	21	COL	$600K	4A	Weak against the right handers, but his average pitches will make it hard to break the league ful-time. He is solid though and should get a few ML innings in his career.
5	166	Frank Posey	P	21	COL	$250K	AAA	Strikeout pitcher with poor splits, I'm not sure he will even make AAA

SUMMARY: Crosby might be the best starting pitcher in the draft. Martin in the least will fill a hole in the rotation. All around this could be a great Draft for Pittsburgh to build around.
Grade: A

New York Burros

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back- ground	Bonus	Potential	SUMMARY
1	23	Bart Hogan	C	18	HS	$1,940K	ML	Best DH available, but poor makeup and health will keep him from become anything in the field. On an AL team he might make sense in the NL he's a pinch hitter, he has a long way to develop, but he is only 18. I think he's a big risk in the 1st round.
1	30	Felipe Martinez	P	18	HS	$1,290K	ML CL	His biggest knock is his poor durability, but he can pitch and do it effectively. 3 pitches, good velocity, and great splits.
1	41	James Pribanic	2B	18	HS	$680K	ML LF/RF	He might make a good corner outfielder, he has good speed and a decent bat at this point in the draft.. his durability will be a question as a full-time starter.
1	45	Alex Rooney	P	21	COL	---	ML Long RP	Signing issues, but a solid long reliever, he has below average left hand split which will slow his progress in the league.. His great control and pair of great pitches will ensure he makes it.
1	46	Pedro Franco	RF	22	COL	$600K	ML OF	Solid everyday hitter, he is not going to win many awards for his glove or his bat, but he has pop in his bat and can play in the big leagues everyday.
2	94	Tom Valdes	LF	18	HS	$550K	AAA	Poor splits good power, but no defense. He is not going to go very far.
3	113	Roy Brown	CF	21	COL	$425K	AA	Speed and nothing else, he's not playing CF for sure.
3	127	Torey Matthews	RF	21	COL	$425K	AA	Good batting eye is wasted on a poor fielder and below average hitter.
4	134	Cecil Hiller	SS	22	COL	$350K	AA	Solid defender, but not a SS or a hitter or arunner. Oh boy
4	159	Morgan Hemingway	1B	19	JC	$350K	AA	All power no chance
5	191	Ralph Strange	P	20	JC	$250K	4A	Decent 5th rounder he has some props In his pitches and splits. He is also a pinpoint control guy. He might see ML time if he makes his split projections.

SUMMARY: Traditionally the strongest minors in the league. NY is always stacked with talent. New York is looking for a Grade A here, but I'm not sure I can see that grade. Hogan could be a huge reach for a NL team, He can hit but with no chance at a field position he will be limited in his role with a national league club. The rest of the draft is something to be proud of with solid ML talent in the rest of the 1^st round picksand anytime you can pull a potential guy in the 5^th round you have to be happy.
Grade: A-

POWER RANKING WEEK 3

1. Wichita (1) – Cl Gerald Christenson is almost perfect he's 18/18 in saves with a minuscule .53 ERA all in his first season as the team's fireman. RATING 581
   
2. Toledo (2) Losses Starting CF Aaron Holt for the season and wastes no time in trading for a younger better defensive and better hitting Ron Brown. They did not miss a beat here and as a result Aaron Holt might be looking for other employment next season. RATING 523.25
   
3. New York (NL) (5) 1B Kenneth Springer is having an outstanding season on a pace for 50+ homeruns which would sit him on top of the Burros career list.– 504
   
4. Philadelphia (3) – CL J.P. Ordonez has yet to give up an official run this season in 15.2 innings of work yet he has blown 1 save. Still near perfect is god for something.
   RATING 462.125
   
5. Cheyenne (7) – All the attention has been on SP Soto, but Eduardo Feliz has been equally effective only 3 seasons removed from major elbow surgery he seems to have make finally recovered. RATING 455
   
6. Florida (14) – The ray's are showing they are the real deal and are making a push for the division lead. New acquisition SP Lucas Neagle has performed solidly in his 1^st start. RATING 442.625
   
7. Memphis (4) – has such a very balanced running game they have 5 guys with more than 10 stolen bases. RATING 424.25
   
8. Salem (11) -
   RATING 419.625
   
9. Madison (17- ) – The hitting is starting to get in a groove, but the bullpen is struggling to provide any support. Team should consider a change in the Pen. RATING 415.125
   
10. Austin (16) – getting no love in Las Vegas after 6 productive seasons RF Hugh Prokopec has seem to find a home in Austin offering them his .270 batting average and 100+ steals RATING 413
    
11. Colorado Springs (12) 23 1 run games leads the league, to back they have a sub-500 record (10-13) If they find the cure and push more runs across they could be a bigger theat.(RATING 400.25
    
12. Chicago (10) Sp Nate House better known as wild thing has performed remarkable well in his career posting an under 5 era in almost all him pro season. He also sports a .219 OBA this season, but has walked 53 batters as opposed to striking out only 46. RATING 390.5
    
13. Norfolk (8) – C Felix Bonilla has shown little in the way of offense this season. They need him to turn it on and get over the Mendoza line in addition to his pitch calling. RATING 375
    
14. Colorado (15) – 1B Clarence Thompson has returned to Earth after his MVP season last year batting closer to .his career .290 average. Another season where his homerun production seems to be dropping. RATING 375
    
15. New York(AL) Of Marquis Ashley has not come through like New York had hoped, a Consistent 25+ homerun guy in Hartford, he has struggled in the big city.(9)- 370.5
    
16. Columbus (13) - 1B Bo Glanville is all over a career year already with 30 hrs(career high 47) 81 RBI (122) and a .354 batting average (.290) RATING 365.125
    
17. Las Vegas (25) – CF Midre Jordan's offense has to be a nice surprise to compliment his prowess in the field. Jordan is batting over .300 with 9 plus plays in the field. RATING 321.75
    
18. Milwaukee (6) - Tough week led to a huge fall in the standing, it doesn't help that the adjustment to the Power ranking calculator equalizes the Toronto factor. RATING 317.75
    
19. Pittsburgh(29) – Rookie Rob Black's Rookie Campaign ended this past week abruptly with Elbow Surgery, Hope to see this kid bounce back and be ready to throw next season. RATING 273.625
    
20. Kansas City (18) – Flags are still at half mast in Kc morning the end of the David Seanez era. It is now apparent the team is so shaken by his loss that Reynolds and Cassidy refuse to hit for the upcoming month. RATING 259.25
    
21. Salt Lake City (19) SP Don Shelby's elbow whoa might be the undoing of this surprise team. I'm not sure there is enough depth to hold on for 60 days. RATING 259.125
    
22. Minnesota (30) - SP Benito Lee has gone from two of the winningest programs to struggling for an up and coming team. Lee himself is getting a shell of his former glory. RATING 257.5
    
23. Monterrey (21) – LF Jimmie Miranda is making a solid pitch for Rookie of the year with his campaign for 20/20 and a .280 batting average. RATING 257.375
    
24. Montgomery (20) –LF Donnie DuBose is showing why he has played his whole career at 1B and not in the OF this season. With 10 minus plays and a .938 Fielding average he might not be helping the pitching in the Outfield. RATING 246.375
    
25. Texas (24) – After struggling for 4 season's in Colorado's thin air. SP Ronnie Leach has shown he is more than capable of pitching in this league. In 11 starts he's 5-2 with a 3.27 ERA. RATING 227.625
    
26. Washington D.C. (22) – CF Heath Peterman is leading the team in homeruns and stolen bases, but might be costing the team on the base path as well. In 24 attempts to steal a base he has been caught 11 times. RATING 227.625
    
27. Louisville (27) – C Wascar Solano is current leading the league in Batting average, but his durability does not expect him to hold up long enough to keep that lead, either he wears out or he gets the rest he deserves. RATING 223.5
    
28. Burlington (26) – P Mark Russell seemed more comfortable last season as a starter than this one out of the pen. Sporting a 3.37 ERA over 152 innings in season 14 and a 9.26 era over 11.2 inning this season. RATING 170.25
    
29. St. Louis (28) – 2B Alejandro Perez has struggled mightily since coming to St. Louis in a trade with Madison. Makes one wonder if his stats are a product more of the lineup in Madison and less on his own skills. RATING 132.375
    
30. Durham (31) Ex-Rule 5 guy Erik Watkins might look better after a return to AAA to get seasoning. He just plan stinks this season. RATING 108.375
    
31. Atlanta (23) Devastating Arm Injury to Jaret Dunn potentially ends Dunn's solid career, it also might sink Atlanta's hopes for a .500 record. RATING 101.75
    
32. Toronto(32)- Is it possible to be eliminated before RATING 47.25