AL WEST S11 DRAFT RECAP

Kansas City McCoys-

Needs from the draft: 3B, CF, SP

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back-	Contract	Bonus	Pro
					ground			SUMMARY
1	29	Jose Uribe	LF	18	HS	---	---	Power slugging 1st baseman. You could probably stick him in LF if you needed to. He has great splits and should have a solid .240 BA with 40+ dingers a year.
2	79	Billy Ray Franco	P	19	JC	---	---	3 solid pitches, good velocity and control set up Franco really well, but his Low splits will make him a 4A guy for the long run.
3	111	Alfredo Wainhouse	C	21	COL	---	---	Wainhouse isn't going to hurt his team at the plate, he is a superior hitter with good contact and power, a solid batting eye and does not have far to go to make projections even with his weak makeup.
4	143	Carl Bunch	1B	19	JC	---	---	Middle of the road hitter with no a whole lot of above average skill, he might get a few September call ups and be gone when he makes ludicrous claims for money.
5	175	Phil Sears	RP	20	JC	---	---	Weak on Lefties and featuring more durability with a low stamina Sears's value is very limited, but he does have good control and 3 useful pitches. Sears is for the manager in a pinch.

Summary: Uribe is a solid 1^st rounder his low contact could make him hard to stomach for some teams, but he has the skills to be an everyday guy in the league, Franco has all the tools except major league splits. The best pick might be 3^rd rounder Wainhouse who projects to be a solid catcher in the league.

Grade: C+

Las Vegas Gamble:

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

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back-	Contract	Bonus	Pro
					ground			SUMMARY
1	15	Edgardo Trinidad	CF	22	COL	---	---	Defensive superstar with good speed and base running, He would be a great #2 guy with his bunting ability. Think 10 HR and 40 SB a year.
2	67	Jaime Bonds	LF	18	HS	---	---	UNKNOWN
3	99	Troy George	SS	18	HS	---	---	Defensive stud at SS, He has absolutely no bat to speak of and might not be able to outrun a one legged man, but he was drafted for his golden glove.
4	131	Lew Winn	RP	22	COL	---	---	Former college closer with a dominant fastball and a below average slider, he will struggle with left handers in the majors.
5	163	Antone Kennedy	2B	22	COL	---	---	Fast slap hitting 2B, He has no power and is below average in the field, but he can run very well.

Summary: Attacked positional players with great defensive ratings, Trinidad and George are defensive studs and should find a place in the Major Leagues for many seasons. Winn is an interesting 4^th rounder and a good risk to take. He is a borderline player as it is with a small bump he could be an everyday guy.

Grade: B

Salem Lites (AL)

Needs from the draft: SS, SP, C

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back-	Contract	Bonus	Pro
					ground			SUMMARY
1	6	Anthony Allen	SS	18	HS	---	---	Great speed, and plus power, mix in an all-star set of Batting splits and you have Allen. He is defensively a bit weak at SS, but you can get by with him almost anywhere. As a 5'11" White guy he is of course considering going the Basketball Route.
1	43	Jamie Gaetti	SS	21	COL	---	---	Another speedy SS, Gaetti fields closer to a 3rd sacker. His hitting will not win many awards, but he is average.
2	58	Herb Stokes	3B	20	JC	---	---	Just call him Mr. Normal. He is not going to excite many people with his batting, fielding or running; He is just going to be there. Ho hums.
3	90	Len Willis	RF	20	JC	---	---	Good mixture of Power and speed, He fields closer to a 1B, and will struggle with right handers, but he did fall to the 3rd round what do you expect...
4	122	Tony Garces	C	18	HS	---	---	Solid Catching prospect with a killer versus right split. He is an average hitter, but will be someone's eventual backstop.
5	154	Bey Stewart	RF	22	COL	---	---	All Power, All versus right handed pitching and Stewart is your man. He is an interest pick as he does have extreme skills match with extreme flaws.

Summary: Allen is the star Salem needed, mix in late 1^st rounder Gaetti and you have a pretty solid class already. Add in 3 more solid picks and you have a great draft class for season 12

Grade: A

Wichita Sizzlers

Needs from the draft: BEST AVAILABLE

Round	Pick	Player	Pos	Age	Back-	Contract	Bonus
					ground			SUMMARY
1	47	Arthur Wayne	RP	21	COL	---	---	3 Killer pitches with lights out velocity and a pension for the groundout. Wayne has great splits and solid control, his durability is lower than you would like in a reliever, but for the 47th pick you will learn to deal
1	50	Jorel Stanton	SP	18	HS	---	---	There is a distinct possibility that Jorel will kill someone with an errant fastball, great pitches, good splits and no control.
2	81	Al Armas	RP	21	COL	---	---	Below average splits but with 3 plus pitches, solid control and good durability he might sneak into a few ML games down the road.
3	113	Javier Colon	P	19	JC	---	---	Another flame throwing no control pitcher, He has great pitches and solid splits when he gets the ball over the plate.
4	145	Jiggs Baez	P	20	JC	---	---	See Colon above.
5	177	Stephen Pratt	P	18	HS	---	---	As it stands currently he would not get out of the minors with his stuff, he is considering college, I'd let him go.

Summary: Wichita's farm is already pretty well stocked and they have a lot of great talent on the Big League roster, so they can go best available without fear. Wayne is an all-star closer for the future. The rest of their pitching selections seem to be WILD. If they can get away with a loose strike zone this is a great draft. If even one of those pitchers learns control they could have a low round superstar.

Grade: B-

AL Power Rankings, Week 2

The first week's rankings meant virtually nothing, but now we're starting to see some stratification develop. Oklahoma City is clearly the #1 team this week. #2 Madison has a nice, shiny record, but their run differential suggests that they may have a tough time maintaining their current pace.

Spots #7 through #14 are pretty much interchangeable. An extra run or two scored or given up by any of those teams could have shot them up or down a handful of spots. After that, there's a very steep plunge to the bottom.

1 Oklahoma City Chickens


Last Week: #4
Record: 22-6 (16-3 this week)
Expected Win %: .739
Interesting, But Meaningless: On pace for 127 wins. That would, like, be a record or something. Expected win total is a mere 120.
Yikes: Donnie DuBose woke up. In this space last week, he was singled out for hitting .114 with a .527 OPS. Now: .312 average, 11 HR, 1.088 OPS.

2 Madison Massas


Last Week: #5
Record: 20-8 (14-6 this week)
Expected Win %: .566
Interesting, But Meaningless: Want to stay well ahead of your expected win %? Just go 8-1 in one-run games. Here's something that's not meaningless: It helps to have four relievers with ERAs under 3.
Yikes: Ryan World's perpetual bullpen disappointment, Ellis Watson has spent years making owners angry. His ratings say he should be a stud but his career ERA was above 7 entering the year. This season, he's a perfect 10-for-10 in save opportunities and has a sparkling 1.56 ERA despite his 1.50 WHIP.

3 Mexico City Reds


Last Week: #3
Record: 17-11 (11-9 this week)
Expected Win %: .613
Interesting, But Meaningless: Torey Samuel is enjoying a career year in the altitude of Mexico City. He has an ERA of 2.58 despite giving up 6 HRs in 6 outings. As the guy who traded him away, I couldn't be happier for him. (not true)
Yikes: Juan Guerrero is on pace for 92 steals, and only get caught 6 times.

4 New York Bombers


Last Week: #8
Record: 18-11 (14-6 this week)
Expected Win %: .610
Interesting, But Meaningless: Timothy Dye has 21 steals in 21 attempts (on pace to steal 117 without getting caught). The rest of the Bombers have 13 steals, while getting caught 10 times.
Yikes: Speaking of guys who've flourished since I traded them away, Bill Darwin is back in New York and tearing the cover off the ball. He posted a 15-game hitting streak this week.

5 Wichita Sizzlers


Last Week: #9
Record: 16-13 (13-8 this week)
Expected Win %: .593
Interesting, But Meaningless: Second in the majors with 10 triples, including one from Roosevelt Williams who is on a 17-game hitting streak.
Yikes: Combined record of minor league teams: 84-28

6 San Juan Senators


Last Week: #11
Record: 15-13 (12-7 this week)
Expected Win %: .576
Interesting, But Meaningless: Albert Frazier is on pace to hit 101 HRs this season.
Yikes: Total record of minor league teams to date: 20-92. Perhaps logging in more than once every 10 days would help.

7 Iowa City Eyesores


Last Week: #7
Record: 16-12 (11-9 this week)
Expected Win %: .537
Interesting, But Meaningless: Highly-touted Vinny Hernandez is still below the Mendoza Line, hitting .189.
Yikes: Tied for best in the majors with a .993 fielding percentage.

8 Boston Badasses


Last Week: #1
Record: 15-14 (8-12 this week)
Expected Win %: .497
Interesting, But Meaningless: Closer Al Santos is a perfect 7-for-7 on saves, despite a 6.23 ERA.
Yikes: Glenallen Bell has an 11.12 ERA in six starts.

9 Durham Bulls


Last Week: NR
Record: 14-15 (11-9 this week)
Expected Win %: .509
Interesting, But Meaningless: Richie Cormier is still on pace for 109 HR and 245 RBI. I'm sure glad I got rid of him.
Yikes: Mike Daly is 2-2 in six starts, despite a 9.71 ERA.

10 Kansas City McCoys


Last Week: #14
Record: 12-16 (9-10 this week)
Expected Win %: .524
Interesting, But Meaningless: Only six saves so far this season. No one on the team has more than 2.
Yikes: Demoted the man with the most painful name in HBD: Dick Sparks.

11 Chicago Bearcubs

Last Week: #6
Record: 12-16 (8-12 this week)
Expected Win %: .491
Interesting, But Meaningless: Stud Freddie Reynolds still hitting .195.
Yikes: Six pitchers on the roster have an ERA over 6.00.

12 Las Vegas Gamble


Last Week: #13
Record: 13-15 (8-11 this week)
Expected Win %: .458
Interesting, But Meaningless: Eight different pitchers have started a game already this season.
Yikes: Dead last in the majors in fielding percentage (.981)

13 San Jose Snakes


Last Week: #2
Record: 12-16 (6-14 this week)
Expected Win %: .463
Interesting, But Meaningless: An 11-spot drop in one week pretty much has to be a record, doesn't it?
Yikes: Dead last in the majors with just seven quality starts in 28 games.

14 Washington DC Old School Warriors


Last Week: #16
Record: 11-17 (9-11 this week)
Expected Win %: .393
Interesting, But Meaningless: Peter Roberts has a .461 OBP in limited action this season.
Yikes: Chad Goldman has a 10.22 ERA through six starts.

15 St. Louis Stampede


Last Week: #12
Record: 7-21 (4-16 this week)
Expected Win %: .279
Interesting, But Meaningless: One of five teams (all in the AL) that has not used a pinch-hitter this season.
Yikes: Wallace Russell definitely earned his trip to AAA with a 15.75 ERA.

16 Philadelphia Hellraisers


Last Week: #15
Record: 6-22 (4-15 this week)
Expected Win %: .183
Interesting, But Meaningless: Dead last in the AL in runs scored. They make up for it by being dead last in runs allowed as well.
Yikes: As bad as their record is, their expected record is actually one game worse.

AL Power Rankings, Week 1

1 Boston Badasses


Last Week: NR
Record: 7-2
Expected Win %: .752
Interesting, But Meaningless: Damien Lemon is on pace for 216 RBI
Yikes: Posting a .900 team OPS despite a slow start from Bono Crede.

2 San Jose Snakes


Last Week: NR
Record: 6-2
Expected Win %: .728
Interesting, But Meaningless: Have not posted a + or - fielding play through 8 games.
Yikes: The $12M man, Marshall Maduro has recorded both losses and posted a 9.28 ERA.

3 Mexico City Reds


Last Week: NR
Record: 6-2
Expected Win %: .592
Interesting, But Meaningless: Shannon Booker has 5 HR in 18 AB-- all solo shots.
Yikes: Stubby Cyr put up a .920 OPS, 31 HR and 105 RBI last year. He's hitting .103 with a .464 OPS right now.

4 Oklahoma City Chickens


Last Week: NR
Record: 6-3
Expected Win %: .614
Interesting, But Meaningless: Closer Mitch Matthews has posted an 0.35 WHIP.
Yikes: Donnie DuBose hit 46 HR with a 1.031 OPS last year. He's hitting .114 so far this season, with a .527 OPS.

5 Madison Massas


Last Week: NR
Record: 6-2
Expected Win %: .529
Interesting, But Meaningless: Five players are tied for the team lead with 3 HR each.
Yikes: Bob Hatteberg has a 22.95 ERA through two starts. His career ERA is 4.57.

6 Chicago Bearcubs


Last Week: NR
Record: 4-4
Expected Win %: .612
Interesting, But Meaningless: Matt Shave and Jamey Jacquez are on pace for a combined 587 RBI.
Yikes: Team has a .900 OPS despite having three starters (Paranto, Beltre and Denham) under .525.

7 Iowa City Eyesores


Last Week: NR
Record: 5-3
Expected Win %: .539
Interesting, But Meaningless: Posted five wins (5-13) in spring training. Already have five wins (5-3) in regular season.
Yikes: Jae Cho, Andres Martin and Bart Hitchcock have combined for 10 hits in 78 at bats (.128 BA).

8 New York Bombers


Last Week: NR
Record: 4-5
Expected Win %: .528
Interesting, But Meaningless: Bill Sheehan is on pace to strike out 180 times this season.
Yikes: SS platoon of Jim Mateo and Goose Whitman have a combined 3 hits in 33 at bats (.091 BA).

9 Wichita Sizzlers


Last Week: NR
Record: 3-5
Expected Win %: .509
Interesting, But Meaningless: Stevie Toombs has a 3.60 ERA... and a 2.40 WHIP.
Yikes: Alejandro Maradona has a 19.29 ERA. His career ERA is 4.89.

10 Durham Bulls


Last Week: NR
Record: 3-6
Expected Win %: .467
Interesting, But Meaningless: New acquisition Richie Cormier is on pace for 162 HR this season.
Yikes: Mike Daly, Ray Piersoll and Jorel Jenkins have combined for 13 IP, allowing 22 runs and 28 hits. Their ERA is 15.23.

11 San Juan Senators


Last Week: NR
Record: 3-6
Expected Win %: .481
Interesting, But Meaningless: Possible Ryan World record for "earliest abandoned franchise."
Yikes: Only three Quality Starts through nine games.

12 St. Louis Stampede


Last Week: NR
Record: 3-5
Expected Win %: .441
Interesting, But Meaningless: Billy Ray Moore and Lou Ross have combined for 7 hits in 55 at bats (.127 BA)
Yikes: Jin-Chi Hayashi has 67 career stolen bases... and has been caught stealing 72 times.

13 Las Vegas Gamble


Last Week: NR
Record: 5-4
Expected Win %: .393
Interesting, But Meaningless: Louis Medina has a 3.00 ERA. No other starter has an ERA below 9.00.
Yikes: Shane Mack has pitched three games, started two and posted an ERA of 22.30.

14 Kansas City McCoys


Last Week: NR
Record: 3-6
Expected Win %: .407
Interesting, But Meaningless: Al Astacio has hits in all nine games this season.
Yikes: Roscoe Coleman and Morgan Lambert have 4 hits in 50 at bats (.080 average)


15 Philadelphia Hellraisers


Last Week: NR
Record: 2-7
Expected Win %: .224
Interesting, But Meaningless: Orlando Pena (2-1) is on pace to win 54 games this year. No one else has a win.
Yikes: Pedro Espinosa has an 0-3 record and 17.69 ERA in three starts.

16 Washington DC Old School Warriors


Last Week: NR
Record: 2-6
Expected Win %: .206
Interesting, But Meaningless: Mariano Lee is on pace to strike out 263 times.
Yikes: 7.12 Team ERA

AL WEST Predictions

Kansas City McCoys

raucous

Infield B+
Outfield C+
Starting Pitcher A-
Relief Pitcher B+
Bench C-
Farm C-

Intangibles/ownership 2 time world champs so they come with their cleats on and gloves oiled. Pitching makes this team go and they can beat you by grinding out runs and winning the low score games

Projected record 87-75

Wichita Sizzlers

zsiegri

Infield B
Outfield B-
Starting Pitcher B
Relief Pitcher B-
Bench A
Farm A

Intangibles/ownership: surprise team last year, but they should come back to earth some this year. They will be in the thick of a divisional battle, but in the long run they might run out of gas this year, but boy do they have talent on the farm

Projected record 85-77

San Jose Snakes

jacoby66

Infield B
Outfield B
Starting Pitcher B
Relief Pitcher D
Bench C+
Farm B

Intangibles/ownership First time owner takes over a team with a rich history. The team has the components to play, but the starting pitching might not go deep enough in the game to cover for a weak relief corp. The team might also struggle to produce runs at times.

Projected record 80-82

Las Vegas Gamble

cjmaxlax

Infield C-
Outfield A-
Starting Pitcher C
Relief Pitcher C-
Bench C
Farm C

Intangibles/ownership: Team in not ready for the year, holes are everywhere. Del Preito can’t do it all forever. Get this man some help

Projected record 66-96