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.