I didn't get through them all but I did anazlyze the first round. I'll try and point out the exceptional picks that came after Round 1
1 – Santa Fe: William Millner (B-) Millner has had a pretty below average season for the #1 Rule 5 pick. However he is only 22 so his upside is pretty good. The real grade should probably be an I for incomplete as long as Santa Fe is patient enough to see how he pans out.
2 – Pawtucket : Omar Espinoza (B) Good numbers although he did strike out a bunch. He is also young and seemed to benefit by the move to the outfield.
3 – Fargo: Johnny James (A) 25, 91, .332 and all in under 400 AB’s. He is a DH so but he can mash and deserves the A that he gets. A solid part of Fargo’s squad one would think.
4 – Tacoma: Jim Pittinger – Given back to Texas, in AAA
5 – Philadelphia: Benji Walker (C-) Offered back and claimed by Cleveland. His 7.11 ERA for Cleveland make this pick below average.
6 – Cleveland: Eddie Duran (B) A decent backup catcher that may mature. Cleveland banks against his future by putting him in the bigs and waiting on his improvement.
7 – Washington: Lyle Darling (C+) A decent inning eater but at 5.37 his ERA was pretty high. His upside is limited at this point in his development.
8 – Honolulu: D’Angelo Delfonzo – Offered back and claimed by Tucson. His 5.28 ERA was not great but he is 22. We’ll give him a (C+) but that grade goes to Tucson and could be a better grade if he improves next year!
9 – Scottsdale: Bill Harper (C ) Continues the trend of GM’s picking younger pitchers with upside and sticking them on the roster. His numbers are also not great but it does appear that he is another player that could get better.
10 – Austin: Wayne Borders (D+) His 5.96 ERA is nothing to write home about…….
11 – Cincinnati: Danny Houston (B+) Offered back and claimed by Texas. The grade goes to Texas as he was a nice snag. He put up some good numbers with a 4.37 ERA and a good strikeout number as well.
12 – Santa Cruz: Freddy Prince (A-) Freddy put up great numbers while hounded by rumors that he was sleeping with Sarah Michelle Gellar. In limited AB’s he had 10 HR 57 RBI and hit .307.
At this point I am skipping to just pointing out exceptional picks!
15 – Atlanta: Julio Martin (A-) A really nice pickup at 15. His 3.88 ERA and 1.26 WHIP were outstanding in middle relief!
20 – Colorado: Kevin Wang (A) Wow, what a pick with power and average. This guy should have been one of the top 5 R5 picks.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Draft Grades Pick 1-10
1) Santa Fe Rays, Felipe Tatis 2b, Grade: C
I'm not very impressed with the pick, Tatis is a superstar against left handed pitchers and okay versus right handers. Speed and base running skills leave something to be desired and is a very average fielding 2nd baseman. Staying healthy and playing 140+ games should be the norm for him. Has good contact plus power and great batting eye. Weakness versus right handers keep him from being a superstar but will be a good ballplayer at a skill position.
2) Washington D.C. Senators, Lyle Miles SS, Grade: A
Superstar shortstop who will be a very good hitter at the number three spot. Solid contact, plus power, splits, and eye, will make him a tough out. Amazing speed and good base running will propel Miles to elite status. Miles defense is good however I don't think he has what it takes to be a gold glover. His only elite skill is speed. He will be good to very good at everything fielding/batting but elite in none.
3) Milwaukee Brewmeisters, Buddy Myers CF, Grade: B
Very good center field prospect who should make a few all-star teams. I project Myers as a solid number five or six hitter. Good hitter with some pop who should rake against right handed pitching. Speed is a plus however only an average base runner in turn he will be thrown out more than he should. Weaknesses of base running and slightly below average eye will keep him from being a superstar but will be a very good to great player.
4) Honolulu Talofa Lavas, Frank Einertson SP/Long relief, Grade: C-
Pitching was not a strength of the draft and Einertson proves that. I don't hate the pick for a team that needs pitching depth but he was not the best player available. Einertson might be better setup for a long relief role which he would do very well. Very good durability and average to above in just about every pitching category. Health is a concern and lack of stamina and elite pitches or splits won't make him a star. He will be a solid pitcher but probably out of the bullpen as a long reliever.
5) Florida Kraken, Mac Jacquez LF, Grade: A+
Best player in the draft without any flaws and many strengths. Middle of the lineup stud who I think projects as a number three hitter. Speed, Power, hitting for average, he can do it all except play a skill position. Hitting won't be a problem he will do everything including steal his fair share of bases. Kraken will be a superstar regardless however if he can manage to play right field he could make that next step of being in the conversation of the best player in the game. Weaknesses are he will need a day off from time to time and his health isn't awe inspiring.
6) Memphis Outlaws, Omar Vincente SP, Grade: C+
Good pitcher who like Einertson wasn't the best player available. Good pitches, control, and stamina, are his strengths. Number three or four starter who will win his share of games and possibly make an all-star appearance or two. Low durability will mean a skipped start from time to time or lower pitch count than his stamina suggests. Great won't describe Vincente but solid starter in a draft with few is a decent pick.
7) Buffalo Butts, Earl Bradford
Not able to see Bradford therefore cannot scout. (If he signs I will post my grade shortly after)
8) Jacksonville Sun Devils, Chris Orosco SS, Grade: D
Not my favorite pick in the draft I think Orosco is a very average player with flaws. Good bat versus left handers but average if not below against righties. Speed is okay but his base running is elite and is mostly wasted due to lack of good to great speed. Great glove with good range and arm strength but accuracy is below average. Health is average at best and skills are uneven.
9) Chicago FIBS, Christian Murray 1b/LF/RF, Grade: B
Very tough pick to grade since I'm not sure what position he plays. At RF he deserves a higher grade at LF he is about right and 1b he deserves a lower one. Great speed and base running ablity with contact and splits that compliment those skills. A very good lead off hitter who should set the table nicely and score a lot of runs. Amazing range and good arm strength for a right fielder however his glove is a concern. I believe he is a right fielder with a below average glove. Overall he is a very good lead-off hitter who has many strengths and few weaknesses.
10) Santa Cruz Control, Jesse Martin 2b/RF/LF, Grade: B
Two tough players to grade in a row. I don't know what position Martin plays but I don't think he can handle 2b that would increase my grade. Decent speed and base running but not impressive in either. Excellent player as a 2b and will be a very good hitter regardless of the position he plays. As a right fielder he has a weak arm but great range and amazing glove. Left field his bat is just slightly above average and I don't think that is his most useful position. Depends on his position if he can play passable 2b he is a stud as a right or left fielder his value lowers.
I'm not very impressed with the pick, Tatis is a superstar against left handed pitchers and okay versus right handers. Speed and base running skills leave something to be desired and is a very average fielding 2nd baseman. Staying healthy and playing 140+ games should be the norm for him. Has good contact plus power and great batting eye. Weakness versus right handers keep him from being a superstar but will be a good ballplayer at a skill position.
2) Washington D.C. Senators, Lyle Miles SS, Grade: A
Superstar shortstop who will be a very good hitter at the number three spot. Solid contact, plus power, splits, and eye, will make him a tough out. Amazing speed and good base running will propel Miles to elite status. Miles defense is good however I don't think he has what it takes to be a gold glover. His only elite skill is speed. He will be good to very good at everything fielding/batting but elite in none.
3) Milwaukee Brewmeisters, Buddy Myers CF, Grade: B
Very good center field prospect who should make a few all-star teams. I project Myers as a solid number five or six hitter. Good hitter with some pop who should rake against right handed pitching. Speed is a plus however only an average base runner in turn he will be thrown out more than he should. Weaknesses of base running and slightly below average eye will keep him from being a superstar but will be a very good to great player.
4) Honolulu Talofa Lavas, Frank Einertson SP/Long relief, Grade: C-
Pitching was not a strength of the draft and Einertson proves that. I don't hate the pick for a team that needs pitching depth but he was not the best player available. Einertson might be better setup for a long relief role which he would do very well. Very good durability and average to above in just about every pitching category. Health is a concern and lack of stamina and elite pitches or splits won't make him a star. He will be a solid pitcher but probably out of the bullpen as a long reliever.
5) Florida Kraken, Mac Jacquez LF, Grade: A+
Best player in the draft without any flaws and many strengths. Middle of the lineup stud who I think projects as a number three hitter. Speed, Power, hitting for average, he can do it all except play a skill position. Hitting won't be a problem he will do everything including steal his fair share of bases. Kraken will be a superstar regardless however if he can manage to play right field he could make that next step of being in the conversation of the best player in the game. Weaknesses are he will need a day off from time to time and his health isn't awe inspiring.
6) Memphis Outlaws, Omar Vincente SP, Grade: C+
Good pitcher who like Einertson wasn't the best player available. Good pitches, control, and stamina, are his strengths. Number three or four starter who will win his share of games and possibly make an all-star appearance or two. Low durability will mean a skipped start from time to time or lower pitch count than his stamina suggests. Great won't describe Vincente but solid starter in a draft with few is a decent pick.
7) Buffalo Butts, Earl Bradford
Not able to see Bradford therefore cannot scout. (If he signs I will post my grade shortly after)
8) Jacksonville Sun Devils, Chris Orosco SS, Grade: D
Not my favorite pick in the draft I think Orosco is a very average player with flaws. Good bat versus left handers but average if not below against righties. Speed is okay but his base running is elite and is mostly wasted due to lack of good to great speed. Great glove with good range and arm strength but accuracy is below average. Health is average at best and skills are uneven.
9) Chicago FIBS, Christian Murray 1b/LF/RF, Grade: B
Very tough pick to grade since I'm not sure what position he plays. At RF he deserves a higher grade at LF he is about right and 1b he deserves a lower one. Great speed and base running ablity with contact and splits that compliment those skills. A very good lead off hitter who should set the table nicely and score a lot of runs. Amazing range and good arm strength for a right fielder however his glove is a concern. I believe he is a right fielder with a below average glove. Overall he is a very good lead-off hitter who has many strengths and few weaknesses.
10) Santa Cruz Control, Jesse Martin 2b/RF/LF, Grade: B
Two tough players to grade in a row. I don't know what position Martin plays but I don't think he can handle 2b that would increase my grade. Decent speed and base running but not impressive in either. Excellent player as a 2b and will be a very good hitter regardless of the position he plays. As a right fielder he has a weak arm but great range and amazing glove. Left field his bat is just slightly above average and I don't think that is his most useful position. Depends on his position if he can play passable 2b he is a stud as a right or left fielder his value lowers.
Monday, May 5, 2008
NL North Preveiw
Minnesota Sinkers (pknock1215)
The Sinkers are the defending World Sereis Championship and are going after the elusive repeat. They feature an amazing bullpen that is very deep. There starting pitching is a little thin and the guys do not have the best stamina, but they don't need to go late into the games with the amazing pitching in the pen. There starters are all very solid and similar. The best is 25 year old Sal Kingsdale who has back to back 14 win seasons. The Sinkers bats like there pitching is not fantastic but a good balanced lineup that features many players who can hit and play defense. Carl Williams is a solid hitter and a good third base man.
Cincinatti Reds (pak4427)
The Reds got second in the division to the Sinkers last year and this year look to take the division. Closing pitcher Felix Fox is as good as it gets and Mariono Rosado is a great 24 year old pitcher. There bats start with Hary Seanez who last season hit 55 homeruns, drove in over 150 runs and batted over .300. Warren Meadows and Felix Hatcher are nothing to scuff at and they have a potent lineup, that is one of the most feared in the league. If there pitching comes around, they will be a force in the NL North.
Chicago FIBS (coach_knight)
The Fibs are coached by a new manager coach_knight. The Fibs winning percentage has fallen 70 points every year and this year they are looking to stop that. They made a big splash in free agency signing Lary Lloyd to a deal with a 10 million dollar signing bonus. Although most thought the Fibs should look to the future they didn't. With Lloyd and Ricco Barrios at the top of there rotation the Fibs feature a solid starting rotation. There biggest problem will be a bullpen that features one legitimate releif pitcher whose expected to close even though he has had a horrible ERA throughout his career. Scott Karl and Julio Gomez are going to be counted on heavily to produce runs in a lineup that is at best average.
Milwaukee Brewmeisters (wgs3)
The Brew are rebuilding. With there fifth new coach in five years wgs3 is doing the right thing by trying to build up from the ground. With no star power Milwaukee will be looking forward to the future and rebuilding.
The Sinkers are the defending World Sereis Championship and are going after the elusive repeat. They feature an amazing bullpen that is very deep. There starting pitching is a little thin and the guys do not have the best stamina, but they don't need to go late into the games with the amazing pitching in the pen. There starters are all very solid and similar. The best is 25 year old Sal Kingsdale who has back to back 14 win seasons. The Sinkers bats like there pitching is not fantastic but a good balanced lineup that features many players who can hit and play defense. Carl Williams is a solid hitter and a good third base man.
Cincinatti Reds (pak4427)
The Reds got second in the division to the Sinkers last year and this year look to take the division. Closing pitcher Felix Fox is as good as it gets and Mariono Rosado is a great 24 year old pitcher. There bats start with Hary Seanez who last season hit 55 homeruns, drove in over 150 runs and batted over .300. Warren Meadows and Felix Hatcher are nothing to scuff at and they have a potent lineup, that is one of the most feared in the league. If there pitching comes around, they will be a force in the NL North.
Chicago FIBS (coach_knight)
The Fibs are coached by a new manager coach_knight. The Fibs winning percentage has fallen 70 points every year and this year they are looking to stop that. They made a big splash in free agency signing Lary Lloyd to a deal with a 10 million dollar signing bonus. Although most thought the Fibs should look to the future they didn't. With Lloyd and Ricco Barrios at the top of there rotation the Fibs feature a solid starting rotation. There biggest problem will be a bullpen that features one legitimate releif pitcher whose expected to close even though he has had a horrible ERA throughout his career. Scott Karl and Julio Gomez are going to be counted on heavily to produce runs in a lineup that is at best average.
Milwaukee Brewmeisters (wgs3)
The Brew are rebuilding. With there fifth new coach in five years wgs3 is doing the right thing by trying to build up from the ground. With no star power Milwaukee will be looking forward to the future and rebuilding.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Free Agency Report
Chicago & Santa Cruz were the big spenders in this years Off Season Free Agency Period. Each franchise locked up 2 Type "A" Players.
Chicago spent $25 Million to sign pitcher Larry Lloyd this season ($15 Salary + $10 Bonus). Lloyd's contract is a 5 year deal which will keep him with Chicago likely until retirement.
Santa Cruz added position player depth picking up Bubba Gill from Boston and Al Schmidt from Minnesota. Both players are rated overall in the 80's so the 11.5 Million these two will be paid this year appears to be money well spent.
Boston & Minnesota each picked up 2 compensation draft picks (1 A, & 1 B each). This means both franchises will have 3 draft picks in the first 45 selections in this year's Amateur Draft.
The Rule 5 Draft takes place tonight and Spring Training starts tomorrow. If anyone would like to put together a division preview for their division please let me know.
Thanks and Good Luck!
Chicago spent $25 Million to sign pitcher Larry Lloyd this season ($15 Salary + $10 Bonus). Lloyd's contract is a 5 year deal which will keep him with Chicago likely until retirement.
Santa Cruz added position player depth picking up Bubba Gill from Boston and Al Schmidt from Minnesota. Both players are rated overall in the 80's so the 11.5 Million these two will be paid this year appears to be money well spent.
Boston & Minnesota each picked up 2 compensation draft picks (1 A, & 1 B each). This means both franchises will have 3 draft picks in the first 45 selections in this year's Amateur Draft.
The Rule 5 Draft takes place tonight and Spring Training starts tomorrow. If anyone would like to put together a division preview for their division please let me know.
Thanks and Good Luck!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Season 5 - Starting Soon
Greetings all, and welcome to Season 5 of MLHB. We've got 2 spots left to fill before we can get started. If you'd like to publish something on the blog, simply site-mail dalcorn17 and I'll get you access.
Thanks and Good Luck to all this season!
Thanks and Good Luck to all this season!
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