[Bub13]

2041 Draft

The obvious downside to winning comes on draft day. On top of picking near the bottom of the first round, thanks also to a record 20 supplemental first round picks, our second selection didn't come until 76th. I know: boo hoo, take your trophies and go home.

Looking over the players that were chosen in the first, I don't see any real sleepers. I suppose OF John Arrington, taken by Atlanta at #15, could fit the bill: great runner and good fielder, but just average at the plate. His intangibles should really help him out, but he is already 22. On the other hand, there were some real head scratchers, such as OF Jesse Lewis (San Diego, #30). Another strong runner, and good in the field (but with a weak arm), his hitting looks no better than minor league to me. He's also 22, so pretty far along the developmental curve already. The real tragedy comes at #2, tho: 3B Jason Neighbors, taken by the perenially craptacular Astros. He looks to me like a guy who may hit .270 with 25 HR, but only in a good year. He looks lost in the field, and can't run worth a nickel. On top of that, his INT and WE are terribly low. Time will tell.

Now on to our picks. Thanks to my usual impatience with the end of the draft, some time over the winter I traded away a raft of lower picks, meaning we were done after round 24. Thank goodness.

Round 1, 24th overall: CL Rick Ramirez, 21, Oklahoma State. I'm not fond of taking relievers with high picks, but Ramirez was clearly the best player available. Like most kids, his control has some catching up to do, but he's already good enough to start in A ball, at the least. Good work ethic will help, too.

Round 2, 76th overall: P Chris Sanborn, 19, high school. Frankly, as a pitcher he looks a little fringe-y to me, like a AAAA guy. But he's got real talent with the bat: nothing that stands out, but solid starter material. Problem is, he has no talent for defense. So he's likely a 1B/DH guy once he signs. Intangibles are solid. Probably starts in rookie ball.

Round 3, 107th overall: P Dustin Barton, 18, high school. Another guy, like Sanborn, who could end up playing anywhere. Has better pitching potential than Sanborn, so I may at least start him off there. But his hitting looks even better than his draftmate, and he's a better fielder (at least with range and an arm; iron glove, however). He could find himself pitching and playing in the outfield in rookie ball this summer, if I manage him right.

Round 4, 140th overall: SS J.J. Simmons, 19, high school. A little guy (5'8", 160) that I'm really high on. He's a real throwback to middle infielders of yore (well, at least the 70s) -- great fielder, terrific arm, some speed, good contact, but no power at all, and very little patience at the plate. He may never be more than a useful utility IF, but I'm hopeful he'll be more than that.

Round 4, 142nd overall: P Ryan Berridge, 20, UCLA. Groundballer and junkball thrower, with a good cutter and change. Not the greatest stuff, and doesn't look like a future big leaguer, to be honest. But he's a demon hard worker, so worth chancing on him overdeveloping. Strictly bullpen, with no third pitch.

Round 5, 178th overall: 1B Matt Hefty, 20, West Florida. He's 6'5", 220#, and named Hefty. How could I resist? Future 1B/DH, with some speed but no baserunning skills. Hitting looks average, with a bit of pop. Was a 7th round pick by STL last year but didn't sign.

Round 5, 187th overall: P Nick Kramer, 19, high school. Listed as a catcher, but with average plate skills and below average defense, I moved him to the mound. Looks like a mid-level relief pitcher, who will need a boost or two to see the big club. Since I apparently have zero ability to develop catchers, making the switch was a no brainer.

There's not much left to tell among the rest of our picks. Rounding out the top ten were guys with some bright spots but also obvious flaws that need to be corrected or overcome. Pitchers Jason Ackerman and Bernardo Lujan, infielders Isidro Vidal and Kevin Jacobsen, and OF Danny Simmons all have potential. But it's just as likely you'll never hear from them again. Lujan may not end up signing with me since he wants a large bonus, and my owner is balking at paying for it right now.

......

Prospect Overview
Thanks to a number of graduations, our minor league system now ranks 22nd (out of 36). Two players rank in the top 100. Nobody really stands out as a future all-star, but there is some nice potential swirling around down there.

1. P Cam Bornhoft, 24, MLB 27th overall. Last year's #2 prospect for us, he's still trying to make it work in AAA. Having a good season so far (11 starts, 3.04 ERA). Still looks like a back-end starter, with good stuff but only so-so movement. Brings four solid pitchers, with his curve (odd, given his low movement) easily his best pitch. Only hits 91 mph on the gun, however, so I'm not sure how much upside he really has. Made 9 appearances on the island last year, resulting in a 4.93 ERA in 38.1 IP.

2. P Taylor Barnett, 22, MLB 78th overall. A first rounder from my soon-to-be-horribly-disappointing 2039 draft. Better movement than Bornhoft, but less stuff and control. Bring five decent pitches, hits 97 mph. Like Bornhoft, a lefty, so that will earn him more of a look than it might otherwise. Struggling with control in AA this season. There's no rush on him, but he needs to start showing me something soon.

3. P Frank Soto, 25, MLB 113th overall. Came over from the Dodgers last December as part of Operation Rebuild the Bullpen. Has decent ratings, but only a reliever's stamina (9 of 20). Elite changeup, keeps the ball down. Has been just adequate in AAA, but looks decent enough to earn a callup come September, or if injuries strike the rotation.

4. OF Pedro Cepeda, 22, MLB 149th overall. Acquired via trade from STL in 2038, I had hopes of him developing into a big power bat, which hasn't happened. Now in his third season in our system, he missed half of last year due to injury. He's put together a good season so far, batting .370 with 8 HR (on pace for 22) in AAA. Has decent speed, and a cannon arm, but is otherwise just frightful in the field. He'll probably earn a look in September, but I'm not high on him right now, and it might be better for me to consider trading him while his value is still high.

5. OF Jim Klein, 21, MLB 176th overall. Last year's 1st round pick, he's struggling to hit in AA right now. Has solid potential across the board, excepting only in HR power. Good range projects him as a CF, and he could start one day in the not-too-distant future. Currently injured (torn meniscus) for two months.

Also keep an eye on...
...OF Salvador Higareda, 22. His batting potential looks seriously underwhelming, but my scouts tell me to bring him to the bigs right now. Gold Glove potential in the field, and has dynamite intangibles. It's just that...he can't hit. Still, he'll get a look in September at least, or maybe sooner if my outfielders keep dropping like flies.
...OF/IF Ashton Gooding, 23. Currently in MLB due to injuries. Decent hitter, with more than a little power, his true value lies in his versatility. Equally adept (and quite good, really) across the outfield and the infield, if he hits at all he'll be incredibly useful. Also has some pitching talent.

......

Minor League Standings:
AAA -- Kansas City, 29-23, 2nd, 2 GB
AA -- Lewiston, 31-24 2nd, 2 GB
A -- Eureka, 18-44, 6th, 24 GB