[Westheim]

2005 DRAFT POOL ANALYSIS

We’re having something we haven’t had in many years: a draft pool with a whole bunch of talented young pitchers! Never mind that the hitting part of the pool looks rather bleak, but the young hurler studs are all very juicy and a joy to look at. (Does that sound wrong, somehow?)

Of course, the Raccoons will have to make do with the 12th pick in every round, and no extras. But even at #12, one good pitching prospect should be theirs.

Vince’s shorter shortlist is rather pitching heavy indeed:

SP Jaylen Martin (15/13/13) – BNN #7
SP Zack Yeadon (12/15/15)
SP Tom Weise (13/11/12) – BNN #5
SP Brandon Teasdale (11/12/12)
SP Dave Herndon (11/14/10)

CL Ron Sakellaris (19/16/13)
CL Ricardo Rocha (17/11/13)

C/1B Jamal White (13/15/11) – BNN #6
C Pat Walston (12/12/11)

1B B.J. Manfull (11/13/12)

CF/LF Abe Ruiz (19/6/4)
OF Jimmy Roberts (14/13/11) – BNN #2

White can’t catch, neither can he field. It’s pretty bad. We’re talking early-90s Tetsu Osanai level of defense here. The ball is going to roll right past him while he’s trying to fall to his side just to stop it. Manfull is quite decent on his feet and might be the best bet among those five.

There’s also a pitcher named Jimmy Roberts in the pool, a second-rate talent to those on the shorter shortlist.

It’s unlikely that we will get any of the top 5 starting pitchers, but there is more depth behind that, with a hand full of all-11s to add to these five.

I think I would prefer Yeadon to Martin if given the choice, since Yeadon has a sinker that gives lots of grounders, while Martin’s fastball comes in more straight and he surrenders more fly balls. But those two will be long gone by the time we pick, so the point is moot.

Overall the pool is a *bit* denser than last year, with 10 players ranked 3+ stars by Vince, and 26 players ranked 2+ stars.