2010 IAL Rookie Draft Review

1) THUNDERCHICKENS – TOMMY HANSON P: I watched Tommy dominate the AFL a couple of years ago, then he repeated the feat with the Braves in his rookie season, he has a funky delivery, almost like a dart thrower.  Looks to be the heir apparent successor to Tom Glavine both with Atlanta and the T*Chix.  Far & away the best pitcher in the draft.

2) KERNELS – Andrew Bailey P*: AL ROY was converted to the closer role in Oakland and was lights out.  Bailey blows batters away, reminds me very much of Jonathan Papelbon.  Kentucky will be in the playoff hunt and Andrew will help them get there, nice pick.

3) GAMBLERS – Matt Wieters C: Only question about Wieters seems to be, is it i-e or e-i, either way, this kid can do it all behind the plate.  Looks to be a switch-hitting Joe Mauer, might have even more power, if you can imagine that.  Should fit in nicely with Prince Fielder & Ryan Braun.

4) BOMBERS – David Price P: Many had this overpowering lefthander listed as the #1 pick in the draft, surprised to see him fall to #4, although with team needs & a very talented rookie class, it’s understandable.  Price has the talent and the desire, the Bombers needed pitching, look like a perfect fit.

5) CHAMPIONS – Gordon Beckham 3B: The Champions already have ARod & Ian Stewart at 3B, so why would they draft another thirdbaseman?  It turns out the White Sox are moving this power hitting rookie to second, which makes him very important to Chicago’s future.

6) HIGHLANDERS – Andrew McCutchen OF: I’ve watched this kid’s dreadlocks flying in the breeze in spring training, and admired his hustle.  He does everything well.  The Highlanders needed help in the outfield and got it in McCutchen.

7) UPPERDECKERS – Daniel Bard P*: I agree that this kid has electric stuff, but the Upperdeckers could have gotten him later in the draft and gotten more to help them now.  IMHO, they jumped the gun.

8) KERNELS – Randy Wells P: I know Keith is a Cubs fan, but sometimes he takes team loyalty to an extreme.  I’m not a Randy Wells fan, there were plenty of better starting pitchers out there, Brett Anderson, Jeff Niemann, & Rick Porcello, to name three.  Wells is a flash in the pan, did it with mirrors in his rookie season, this season the mirrors break.

9) RISING BAMM BEANOS – J.A. Happ P: Was impressed with Happ’s changeup when I saw it last spring in Clearwater.  Then this kid showed what he could do in his rookie season, still I believe there were three rookie starters better than J.A., see the law firm of Anderson, Niemann, & Porecello.

10) HITMEN – Brett Anderson – P: Brett Anderson is the best left handed starter in this draft, because he has great command of his stuff, and pounds the strike zone.  He may end up being this year’s best pitcher taken, and I may regret taking trading this pick and drafting hitting rather than pitching.

11) THUNDERCHICKENS – Jeff Niemann P: Big Jeff Niemann was dominant in college, but then had arm trouble, now he seems to be fully recovered.  People might have shied away from him because of his age & lack of hype, but this guy is the real deal.  Still the rebuilding T*Chix would’ve been better off selecting the 3rd member of the law firm, Mr. Porcello.

12) MARUADERS – Rick Porcello P: Rivals Hanson, Price, & Anderson for the best rookie starting pitcher in the draft.  Has a terrific fastball, yet pitched to contact to minimize his pitch count, very impressive, throws with a fluid motion, shouldn’t experience arm problems.

13) BOMBERS – Luis Valbuena 2B: Although the Bombers needed a secondbaseman, Valbuena probably would’ve been on the board in a later pick, and if not, Chris Getz is not that bad.  That said, Luis has a great glove with good doubles power, wouldn’t surprise me if he hit 20 home runs.

14) HITMEN – Travis Snider OF: Travis has the best swing of any hitter in the draft, period.  As a fielder, this kid can hit!  Lil Duke has good power, quick hands, and is will to take a walk.

15) GAMBLERS – Brad Bergesen P: Whore pick!  Bergesen has good control, needs to be perfect to be effective, was very good as a rookie, the hitters catch on to him as a sophomore.  Reminds me of a poor man’s Dave Rozema.

16) MARAUDERS – Trevor Cahill P: Cahill got a lot of experience as a regular member of Oakland’s rotation as a rookie, yet I’m not a fan.  Reminds me of Steve Trachsel.  Homer Bailey is much better.

17) MARAUDERS – Chris Coghlan OF/2B: Coghlan, a converted infielder, came out of nowhere to win the NL ROY for the Marlins.  This kid takes a disciplined, yet aggressive approach to the plate, he waits for a ball in his zone, and then he whacks it, works for him.  He may end up moving back to secondbase, if Florida tires of Dan Uggla.  No matter where this Tarpon Springs kid plays, he’ll hit.

18) HITMEN – Colby Rasmus OF: Rasmus can do it all, has tremendous power, plays centerfield, the sky i the limit for Colby, needs to make better contact, and believe in his ability.  He’s a brash youngster, who does it his way.

19) THUNDERCHICKENS – Homer Bailey P: I don’t know why it is, but the best arms seem to come out of Texas.  Bailey was a phenom in high school.  Although Homer has experienced growing pains, he looks ready to step into his greatness.  Bailey should be a solid starting pitcher for years to come.

20) KERNELS – Elvis Andrus SS: Pre-draft predictions had Andrus going to the Kernels with the 2nd pick in the draft, yet the Kernels got their man with the 20th selection, good patience by Kentucky.  Elvis will only get better, he can field with anyone, fast as the wind, and should develop power as he matures.

21) BOMBERS – Tim Hudson P: If Webb & Hudson can come back, along with Liriano, the Bombers staff is looking good, but if ifs & buts were candy & nuts, every day would be Christmas.  Hudson appears to be throwing pain free, looked good at the end of last year, yet is getting long in the tooth, and Green Rock might’ve been better served drafting a youngster.

22) HITMEN – Ron Belisario P*: Here is the classic one year A* reliever, yet the Hitmen might just have enough to get into the playoffs, and if you have a shot then you’ve got to go for it.  There have been cases where journeyman relievers carry on, but more often than not, it doesn’t end well.

23) UPPERDECKERS – Dexter Fowler OF: Reminds me of Devon White, which is not necessarily a bad thing, this kid can fly, will play centerfield for years in the bigs, knows how to draw a walk, and is just learning to switch-hit, once he masters that, look out!  Pencil him in as the Upperdeckers leadoff man and leave him there, problem solved.

24) MARAUDERS – Matt Palmer P: The only reason this guy was drafted is because he’s an Angel & a B, but on a rebuilding team, that seems to be a waste.  Learned a long time ago, if you don’t have something good to say, silence is golden.

25) RISING BAMM BEANOS – Cameron Maybin OF: Maybin is a kid with all the tools, yet somehow the hype seems to have nearly passed him by.  Curtis was involved in the trade which sent Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers, Maybin was the gem the Marlins were receiving in return.  Believe me mom, they are magic beans.

26) CHAMPIONS – Alcides Escobar SS: This kid can flat out hit!  He was born to play shortstop and will be in the running for this year’s NL ROY, great value at the 26th pick in the draft, was sure the Bamm Beanos would take him with the 25th pick.

27) THUNDERCHICKENS – Jose Mijares P*: Never waste a pick on an overweight relief pitcher when you’re rebuilding, even if he is an A*.  This guy has struggled in the past, will struggle again, especially with Joe Nathan hurt.  It’s tough to lose, but the T*Chix would’ve been smarter loading up on talented starters.

28) KERNELS – Julio Borbon OF: Why take Borbon when you’re going for it?  This was the perfect time to whore it out & take Garrett Jones!  Borbon doesn’t walk, doesn’t field, can hit, and can run.  Will it be enough?  Time will tell.

29) BOMBERS – Kyle Blanks OF/1B: Big Bad Blanks is a Manster!  Maybe he’ll play first, maybe he’ll play outfield, but he has the bat to be the next Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard.  Great pick by a team that needs talent!

30) HITMEN – Luke Gregorson P*: Park Ridge’s own Luke Gregorson, the Hitmen play right across the border from where Gregorson grew up.  Luke has a nasty strikeout pitch and the same first name as his manager’s nickname.

31) GAMBLERS – Garrett Jones OF/1B: Saw this guy take Sabathia out on a pitch on his hands, but even if he’s only another whore, this organization has done well drafting a nice combination of talent & cards.

32) MARAUDERS – Billy Wagner P*: Lost Tim Hudson by not protecting him, didn’t want the same thing to happen to fan favorite Billy the Kid.  It’ll be interesting to see how much he has left in the tank and whether the Marauder rebuilding project will be completed in time to get some use out of Wagner.

33) MAARAUDERS – Kevin Jepsen P*: Throws hard, along the same lines as Daniel Bard & Ryan Perry.  Might be some upside, could be a closer, worthwhile gamble on an Angel reliever with heat.

34) CHAMPIONS – Ryan Perry P*: I get nervous just thinking about bringing in a reliever with a W, that said, this kid has some nasty gas!  Nervous about the present, excited about the future.

35) THUNDERCHICKENS – Casey McGehee 3B: McGehee is an older rookie, who seems to have learned how to hit.  Casey will be the starting thirdbaseman in Milwaukee, but will be buried behind Ryan Zimmerman with the T*Chix.  Tom jumped the gun, announcing McGehee before his pick, the Champions negotiated a trade with the Hitmen, which would have sent Casey to the Northside in exchange for Gregorson.

36) HIGHLANDERS – Jayson Nix INF: It’s hard to find good utility infielders, especially ones that can hit, especially ones that can hit for power.  Should provide coverage, which will allow the Highlanders to draft talent for years to come.

37) HITMEN – Alexei Ramirez SS: Drafted in the first round one year ago by the Marauders, then dropped by the Upperdeckers, the Hitmen got great value, and just what the doctor ordered in Ramirez.  Alexei is flashy in the field at short, has power, and is the Hitmen’s best option at SS.

38) GAMBLERS – Mat Gamel 3B: With whore pick McGehee taken a couple of selections early, the Gamblers took talent in Mat Gamel.  Gamel may be Casey’s under study with the Brewers for now, but might be the starter at the hot corner in Milwaukee in the very near future.

39) MARAUDERS – Everth Cabrera SS: Cabrera was a Rule V player who took over as the Padres everyday shortstop.  He has a good eye, good speed, and what would an Illowa rookie draft be if Molly Potts didn’t draft a shortstop?

40) BOMBERS – Brandon Webb P: Webb was one of the best pitchers in the game, the key word is was.  I thought at the time he was traded from Kentucky in exchange for Alfonso Soriano it was a steal for Green Rock, but healing is taking longer than expected, and now I’m not so sure.

41) CHAMPIONS – Clay Zavada P*: Nice mustache!  Hopefully this Streator reliever will be able to handle getting tough lefthanded hitters out for the Champs, Okajima will help bring him along.

EXTRA ROUNDS

42) GAMBLERS – Brian Sanches P*: Another whore pick, in the same vein as Jose Veras.  Still with the Gamblers going for it, it makes sense to restock the bullpen.  Three Rivers needed a little extra time to make this selection, allowing the Highlanders to pick first, making Sanches the last player taken.

43) HIGHLANDERS – Jeff Fulchino P*: One last whore pick before the dice hit the table.  But this one makes sense too, as a playoff contender, it’s always good to grab an extra reliever.

REPORT CARDS

A   GAMBLERS: Wieters, Bergesen, Jones, Gamel, Sanches -  Todd is the best salesman in the league, I don’t know how he does it, he seems to get the best players in the draft, year after year, and this year was no exception with the selection of Wieters.  Then there were three whore picks of Bergesen, Jones, & Sanches.  Gamel might turn out to be a player.

A-  KERNELS: A. Bailey, Wells, Andrus, Borbon – Two really nice picks in Bailey & Andrus, both will fill glaring holes for the Kernels.  Could’ve done better than selecting Wells & Borbon.

B+  HITMEN: Anderson, Snider, Rasmus, Belisario, Gregorson, Ramirez – Anderson, Snider, & Rasmus all have tremendous upside.  Belisario & Gregorson provide innings out of the pen & Alexei is a big improvement over Renteria at short.

B   THUNDERCHICKENS: Hanson, Niemann, H. Bailey, Mijares, McGehee – Hanson, Niemann, & Bailey were all good picks, although Porcello would’ve been better than Niemann.  But taking Mijares & McGehee were wasted picks IMHO.

B-  CHAMPIONS: Beckham, Escobar, Perry, Zavada – No argument with the players selected, Escobar & Beckham will be a very good doubleplay combination, but team would’ve been better served taking Anderson, Belisario, Gregorson, Ramirez, (sounds like Chuck’s draft), & Brett Gardner, and trading Marquis for Podsednik.  That said, Perry & Zavada look solid in the pen, but not sure if it’s enough for now.  Also Beckham & Escobar will not help much now either.

C   UPPERDECKERS: Bard, Fowler – Bard has a great arm, could be the best relief pitcher in the draft, but he would’ve been there later in the draft.  Fowler is fast, and this team needed outfield help.

C-  HIGHLANDERS: McCutchen, Nix, Fulchino – McCutchen is a talented outfielder, who can do it all.  Nix & Fulchino fill team needs for a playoff contender.

D+  MARAUDERS: Porcello, Cahill, Coghlan, Palmer, Wagner, Jepsen, Cabrera – Porcello is the real deal & Coghlan can hit, not much other than that.  Palmer & Cabrera seem to be wasted picks.  Not sure Wagner will be back in time to help the rebuilding Marauders, and while Jepsen has a major league arm, the jury is still out when it comes to his future.

D-  BOMBERS: Price, Valbuena, Hudson, Blanks, Webb – The Bombers need pitching, funny how Mr. Pitching, needs pitching.  He got some help in Price, and a couple of question marks in Hudson & Webb.  Blanks is a masher, but can he pitch.  Although Valbuena fills a need, he could’ve been had later.

F   RISING BAMM BEANOS: Happ, Maybin – The Bamm Beanos got all they needed from the Marauders, but if they’re going for it, then selecting Niemann & Jones over Happ & Maybin makes more sense.  Also could’ve used a little more bullpen help to bridge to Rivera & Papelbon.

OVERLOOKED ROOKIES

1) Mat Latos P: This 6’5" righthander is the real deal and will have a chance to show what he’s got, this season, for the Padres, at the tender young age of 22.

2) Derek Holland P: This young lefthander was rushed to the majors by the Rangers last season and was baptised under fire.  He should fair much better in his second season in the bigs.

3) Jordan Zimmermann P: Zimmermann will be the #2 man in Washington behind Strasburg, which isn’t too shabby at all.  The only reason he wasn’t taken was because he suffered a season ending injury last year, which will cause him to miss all of 2010, still I like his upside.

4) Matt LaPorta OF/1B: Matt is one of the best young power hitters in the game.  LaPorta was traded from the Brewers to the Indians in exchange for C.C. Sabathia.

5) Tyler Clippard P*: The Nats converted this former Yankee farm hand to the bullpen last and he went from a struggling starter to a lights out reliever, I shoulda drafted this guy!

6) Gio Gonzalez P: If this lefty ever learns to control his nasty stuff, look out.  The sky’s the limit, although sometimes it’s easier said than done to harness the po.

7) Chris Tillman P: Here is a righthanded starter, who was rushed this past year.  Still Chris has a big league arm and will be the #2 man behind Matusz in Baltimore.

8) James McDonald P/P*: McDonald started off last season in the rotation for the Dodgers, but ended up with a lot of success pitching out of the pen.  No matter where he ends up, he has a big league arm.

9) Franklin Morales P*: This hard throwing lefty came up to the Rockies with Ubaldo Jimenez, at the time I thought Morales was better, he still has top notch closer stuff.

10) Marc Rzepczynski P: I was practicing saying his last name, thinking there might be a scenario where I might take this lefthander.  I fell in love with him after watching one of his late season starts last year.