[jeheinz72]

DRAFT RECAP:

Heading into the draft we had really improved our pick selection. We went from picking 12 in each of the 4 rounds (12, 36, 60, 84) to picking at 4, 14, 29, 36, 53, 84.

Personally, I felt we traded away a 4th OF, who may or may not have had a future starting role with us, and 2 marginal prospects (Wabash and Saguaro). I don't think both of them would be successful, at most one would be a starting-level player in my mind, and that is iffy.

We really targeted a catcher (rated like Pudge), but knew we couldn't get him at #4. We pressed hard to get him, but in the end, he went the pick before us to Virginia. We tried to get to both #2 and #3 spots to no avail. At one point, I was offering my #14 and next years #1 (and #2 if that pick was higher than 13) next season. All in all, since the big question mark on that players was he is prone to injuries, it didn't happen. Here is what did:

#4 pick: This was a tough one. After further inspection of the draft, it became clear there were 3 prime players, the catcher and 2 2B's. At #4, we needed a break, that never came. We were left to choose between the 2nd best catcher, an iffy OF and 3 equal caliber SP's. In the end, we went with the catcher. He's 19 and ticketed to be a starter. I dind't feel any of the other 4 were sure starters and since catching across the league was weak, we reached for him. Introducing...

Shumei "Ace" Rosanjin. DOB 2/18/93, Lefty hitter, righty thrower.
Contact Talent: 7
Gap: 7
Power: 6
Eye: 3
K's: 7
6 arm at catcher, PLUS he plays 3B with an 8 arm.

The 3B was a big factor for me, as Spike Halpern plays 2B, so if another catcher came along, I could move each of them over and get the catcher. This would of course be after Moncayo retires. Rosanjin is now the top rated prospect in our system,

We were in another spot at 14, with the 4 previous guys I was looking at all taken. It came down to another bat vs a starting pitcher. The SP would have been another reach, so we grabbed a very surprising guy, a Right Fielder to pair with Blair Payton (4th overall from last season).

James "Breaker" Aikin. 22 years old, 6'4" 225 Lbs, Lefty. 6/5/89 DOB
Contact: 7
Gap: 7
Power: 6
Eye: 4
K's: 7
Decent speed, good arm, iffy on D.

We're really happy with this one, and got some kudos in the chat room. I think Aikin will be our starting RF by 2016 at the latest. He's fairly developed, and will start in AA.

From here, we went for best player availible, so we landed on a 3B. Meet Kouhachirou Bunrakuken - We'll call him Koko. He's a tall lanky guy with a decent stick, solid wheels, solid glove and cannon arm (10).

Contact - 5
Gap - 7
Power - 5
Eye - 3
K's - 5
6/7/7 running

He's just 18, so he'll take some time to develop, but should be a capable bench guy for us down the line, and possibly even surprise us.

With the 36th pick, we got creative, selecting MR Trinadad Zimmerman. Zims has solid ratings, but the real reason I took him was because he has 4 EN, so he could have a chance at being converted to a starter. Plus, he is 17 so there is no rush to get it done quickly.

Stuff: 5
Control: 7
Movement: 8
61% groundballs
88-91 Velocity.

Our 3rd round pick was another project, no decent hitters remained (I think at this point they all had 4 contact talent) so we got another project, MR Juan Dovando, 21 out of the Dominican. He has the same 4 EN that Zims has, and a high GB% (59).
Stuff: 6
Control: 5
Movement: 7
Velocity 86-89

The computer picked an LF named Mike Evan in the 4th round. He's only 18, but with 4/4/3/4/5 ratings, he doesn't have a great chance.