[XxVols98xX]

Big-Picture Take

Overall grade: A-

You absolutely crushed the pitching side: legit potential front-line guy at the top plus a wave of mid-rotation / late-inning arms behind him.

You grabbed three legit up-the-middle bats (Conley, Ashbaugh, Perez) and a couple of corner thumpers (Salmonson, Hinson, Williams).

Only real dings: lots of money/signer risk on the HS bats, and you’re very pitching-heavy (which is fine for where your org is).

Assuming you sign most of the top 10–12, this is a potential franchise-shaping draft.

Impact Tier (Rounds 1–5)
1. SP Victor Mendez – R1P10

Grade: A

Classic top-of-rotation college lefty: plus stuff, plus command, 94–96 with four pitches that all project to average or better.

50 current / big 70–80 potential type profile, and he’s already in a good D1 program.

Personality: Leader + Adaptability is perfect for a fast-moving pitching prospect.

Should move quickly; if he stays healthy he’s your best pitching prospect in the org the second he signs.

Outcome band: High-probability MLB starter, realistic No. 2, with “ace if it all clicks” ceiling.

2. 1B Josh Salmonson – R2P1

Grade: B+

This is your big corner bat bet: eye, avoid K, and gap/power all project above-average to plus.

Defense is fine at 1B, but he’s bat-first only, so he needs to mash.

Personality and intangibles are great; work ethic + baseball IQ pop off the page.

If he hits his 70–80 potential bat, he’s a middle-order 1B. If the power settles in the 55–60 range, he’s still a productive regular.

3. SS Dave Conley – R3P1

Grade: A

This is my favorite value pick in the whole draft for you.

Plus speed, plus defense, real SS actions, and the bat projects to average or a tick better with some pop.

Can play 2B/3B/SS and looks like the kind of guy who’ll steal bags and post solid OBPs.

Signability is “Extremely Hard,” which is the only reason this isn’t an A+.

If you get him signed, you’ve got a potential 3–4 WAR everyday SS or a super-utility star.

4. SP Dave Alfaro – R4P1

Grade: A-

HS lefty with 80 stamina, 70 fastball/slider, and starter control projection – very loud tools.

Command is behind the stuff right now, but the foundation is everything you want: velocity, movement, stamina, three pitches.

Personality is fine; not a red flag.

High-risk, high-reward: he’s got No. 2 starter upside, but needs development time.

5. RF Pat Hinson – R5P1

Grade: B+

College corner OF with 75 potential bat, already showing contact/discipline and some game power.

Defensively, he can handle RF and maybe some 1B/CF emergency; arm and OF range look solid.

Durable, good work ethic and loyalty – very nice for a bat who might move fast.

Realistic everyday RF with on-base skills and 20–25 HR pop if the bat matures fully.

Strong Core Depth (Rounds 6–12)
6. C Philip Mudd – R6P1

Grade: B

Bat is fine, but the value is defense + catching skills: blocking/framing/arm all project above average.

If the bat reaches even 45–50, he’s a classic defense-first backup who can spot-start.

High-probability backup C, small chance at low-end regular if the bat jumps.

7. C Corey Meyer – R7P1

Grade: B

Opposite profile of Mudd: more offensive upside, can move around the diamond (ratings at C and OF spots).

Defense behind the plate is more averageish, but he’s athletic and still HS-aged.

Between Mudd + Meyer, you gave yourself two different shots at a future MLB catcher.

8. RF Matt Williams – R8P1

Grade: B-

HS corner bat with a very healthy contact/eye/power projection, plus some speed/athleticism.

Defense in the OF looks playable; could end up in RF long-term.

Signability again is going to matter; as an HS corner guy he might want real money.

Nice upside flier – could be another starting RF / LF if the bat hits its 60–65 range.

9. SS Johnny Ashbaugh – R9P1

Grade: B+

Another athletic HS infielder with real SS defense & strong offensive projection.

Arm/range check out, and the bat has gap power + plate discipline already.

Like Conley, signability is the question, but the upside is big.

If you land both Conley and Ashbaugh, you’ve basically rebuilt your SS pipeline in one draft.

10–12. Guppy, Linehan, Small – R10–R12 (all SP)

Grade: B as a group

Keith Guppy: HS lefty, 92–94 with a nasty change and 70 stamina. Potential mid-rotation arm if he adds a breaking ball quality and the control holds.

Angel Linehan: HS righty w/ starter’s mix, a bit more raw than Guppy but similar 50ish upside.

Mike Small: JuCo righty, more polished than the two HS arms with solid movement and control. Not as high a ceiling, but more likely to move quickly.

This trio is a perfect blend of upside (Guppy/Linehan) and stability (Small) in the middle rounds.

Upside / Lottery Tickets (Rounds 13–20)
13. SS Bill Perez – R13P1

Grade: B+

JuCo SS with 50/60 defense, some speed, and a patient contact-oriented bat.

Leadership tag is a nice bonus.

If the bat only gets to average, he’s still a very useful utility infielder.

Great value this late; I like him as a future bench SS / utility with a chance to start.

14–15. RP Andy Allegra & RP Alex Herrera – R14–R15

Grade: B

Both have relief stuff right now – mid-90s with two strong pitches and decent control.

Allegra’s a college lefty with 55–60 stuff and good makeup.

Herrera’s a younger lefty from HS with similar stuff but more developmental runway.

You basically drafted two potential setup lefties. Cheap way to stock the big-league pen in 3–5 years.

16. SP Viktoras Clay – R16P1

Grade: B-

College righty, starter profile, average-plus stuff across four pitches.

Not as sexy a ceiling, but he screams “innings-eating back-end starter” if he stays healthy.

Could end up one of those unexciting but valuable No. 4 starters.

17–19. Suarez, Rojas, Wyrick – R17–R19 (SP trio)

Grade: B as a group

Juan Suarez: HS righty with huge projection (70 potential) but very raw command. Big upside, might end up in the pen if the walks don’t come down.

Kevin Rojas: Another HS lefty; lots of movement and stamina with developing secondaries. Could pop as a mid-rotation starter.

Jonah Wyrick: College lefty with deep repertoire and durability; less explosive stuff than Suarez/Rojas but should chew up innings.

These are classic late-round arm shots. You only need one of the three to hit to make this a huge W.

20. RP Matt Moon – R20P1

Grade: B

Fun profile: side-arming fly-ball reliever with two solid pitches and good movement.

Makeup looks great (adaptable, work ethic), and he’s already performing in JuCo.

Very credible path to middle relief; for a 20th-rounder that’s excellent.

Class Summary & Org Fit

Identity: This is a pitching-first, up-the-middle talent class with a couple of big corner bats sprinkled in.

Floor: Even if half the HS guys don’t sign or don’t develop, you still likely get:

1–2 MLB starters (Mendez + one of Alfaro/Clay/Guppy/Small).

2–3 MLB relievers (Allegra/Herrera/Moon/one of the late arms).

1–2 regulars or strong role players from Salmonson/Hinson/Conley/Perez/Ashbaugh.

Ceiling: If you sign the tough cases and two of the high-ceiling bats hit, you’ve legitimately reset your farm.