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1)CHICAGO
CHAMPIONS Zack Greinke P:The
Champions traded a bird in the hand for two in the bush and may really come to
regret this one. They had the best young lefthander in baseball and traded him
for who they hope to be the best pitcher in baseball period. You couldn't ask
for more than Mark Buehrle, except the Champions did. Greinke hasn't logged a
lot of innings before getting the the bigs. Zack has exceptional control and
can go from the 50s to the 90s. Only time will tell. So far Zack Greinke has
looked terrible in the Cactus League.
2)CHICAGO
CHAMPIONS B.J. Upton SS: With their own pick the Champions selected Upton. B.J. has all the tools! It
will take this kid some time to become a solid SS, especially in the field. But
he sure can hit!
3)CHICAGO
CHAMPIONS Justin Morneau 1B:With
Jeff Bagwell growing long in the tooth, Morneau was chosen as a left handed
stick off the bench & the heir apparent at 1st.
Justin is a big power hitter that will bat cleanup for years to come.
4)STATE
STREET SLUGGERS David Wright 3B:
With the 4th pick
in the draft the Sluggers picked up the best player on their team. Wright can
hit the long ball, run, & is a good fielder at the hot corner.
5)MOLLY
PUTTS MARAUDERS Chad Codero P*:
If you can never have too many closers,
then this was the right selection for Molly Putts. Cordero throws the piss out
of the ball. He's a little bit wild, but that'll keep batters from taking a toe
hold. Chad will fit in nicely in the nasty Marauder bullpen.
6)AURORA
GAMBLERS Jason Bay OF: Todd
is not into delayed gratification. Bay proved in his rookie year he can play.
Jason can hit for power and is okay with the glove. Besides everything else
he's a Bucco.
7)CHICAGO
HIGHLANDERS Ryan Madson P*: Madson might turn out to be the best all around pitcher in the draft. Ryan has
the makeup to be a pretty good starting pitcher. Maybe he'll move into the
rotation when/if the Rocket ever retires. Till then he'll be throwing quality
innings out of the pen.
8)COLONA
UPPERDECKERS John Buck C: The first real surprise of the draft. Not that Uncle isn't a good player, but
the fact that he didn't make it out of the 1st round.
There weren't that many catchers that would cover Hernandez and Buck was the
only good one. Still the defending IAL Champions needed so much, but who am I
to argue with Mr. Marc?
9)GREEN
ROCK BOMBERS Khalil Greene SS:
Don't get me wrong, I like Greene.
Khalil can do it all, but the Bombers already had a better SS in Edgar Renteria.
Besides the Bombers are going for it this year. Greene instead of Renteria
might be the reason the T*Chix make the playoffs over the Bombers. Greene can
hit for power and really pick it at short.
10)
NORTHSIDE HITMEN Bobby Crosby SS:
This time for sure the Hitmen selected
their SS of the future for the 2nd year
in a row. Miguel Tejada was the starting SS in Oakland, Angel Berroa was dealt
by the A's to the Royals, and now their third stringer has taken over in Oakland
and on the Northside. Crosby has power and is solid in the field, but not sure
he'll hit much over .250.
11)
RISING BAMM BEANOS Bobby Madritsch P:There
is a reason why the only B starter in the draft lasts till the 11th pick
in the draft. Madritsch has had major arm problems, that said, he's throwing
the ball better than ever. I've been on John's case to get pitchers and he
seems to be getting pitchers mostly from me. Former Champion starters Buehrle,
Washburn, Bell, & Ortiz will be joined by this talented hard throwing southpaw.
Bobby is from Chicago and is of Native American descent. If healthy, he's a
good one!
12)
AURORA GAMBLERS Akinori Otsuka P*:Trading
away Mariano Rivera left a huge hole in the Gamblers bullpen. Otsuka is a
little older for a rookie, yet he is the best closer in the draft. And remember
Todd doesn't like delayed gratification.
13)
MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS Adam LaRoche 1B:Which
rookie firstbaseman did the Marauders get the one before or after his rookie
season injury? Before his injury Adam wasn't much, but after he came back
healthy he put up good numbers. LaRoche is a hard worker that should get better
with age. Fundamentally he's solid. With Olerud & Spiezio at 1B this kid was
needed.
14)
COLONA UPPERDECKERS Jesse Crain P*:This
is another surprise pick. Again not because Crain is not any good, but rather
the Upperdeckers have more holes than Swiss cheese. Jesse throws a big league
fastball, but throws against his body and might be an arm injury waiting to
happen.
15)
CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS Mike Gonzalez P*:This
left handed reliever is a little older, but sometimes it takes a little while
for portsiders to develop. So while Gonzalez was selected for what he could do
right now for the Highlanders, he might have a pretty nice little future ahead
of himself. Although Mike had control as a rookie, don't look for him to have a
Z again.
16)
STATE STREET SLUGGERS Sean Burnett P:
This is the real puzzler of the draft, why take a 3rd round
choice next year with a 2nd round
pick? Burnett had an outstanding major league arm, but the operative word is
had. Chances are he'll miss all of 2005 with a completely torn UCL in his left
arm. Sean started off 0-2 and finished 0-2, but was 5-0 in between. He's out
of Dunedin, FL home of Casa Tina's, a GREAT Mexican restaurant!
17)
NORTHSIDE HITMEN Shingo Takatsu P*:This
youngster knows how to pitch. Although Shingo is 36 years old he is the closer
for the White Sox and will step into that role for the Hitmen. Takatsu has a
great change and might have three more good years in him.
18)
CHICAGO CHAMPIONS Grady Sizemore OF:Braden
Westley Mallasch was born on Sizemore's birthday, which made Grady a favorite of
the Champs right away. This kid can do it all, might be a little short in the
power department. He's a solid centerfielder, may be the next Rich Becker.
19)
AURORA GAMBLERS Justin Duchscherer P*:It's
taken this bullpener a while to get to the show. Justin started his rookie
season off well, but tailed in the 2nd half.
Not a good sign for a rookie. Duchscherer doesn't overpower hitters and will
have a tough time being graded again.
20)
GREEN ROCK BOMBERS DuSanchez P*:
The Bombers needed to retool their
bullpen. Although Bug Eyes has a lot of innings, again he's not overpowering
and will have trouble being graded again. Should have taken Calero.
21)
CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS Kiko Calero *:
Speak of the devil. The Highlanders
don't take no junk. When you have a good team the only thing you need in the
draft is to fine tune the bullpen, which is exactly what Rob did. But now that
he has a bullpen that might stick around for a while, what's he gonna need next
year? Kiko throws strikes, strikes out hitters, & has a Kool first name!
22)
TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS Noah Lowry P:
Lowry is a change up lefty along the
lines of Tommy Glavine or Jimmy Gobble. There's no question as to why the T*Chix
selected Noah with Glavine getting up there. This kid won't overpower anybody,
couldn't break a pane of glass. Some good years, some bad years in his future.
More good than bad.
23)
NORTHSIDE HITMEN Luis Gonzalez 2B:Just
what the IAL needs another Luis Gonzalez. This Luis Gonzalez is a Colorado
hitter! He is a secondbaseman with some pop. Luis also has the versatility to
play some other positions.
24)
RISING BAMM BEANOS Yhency BrazobanP*:
How many times do you get the chance to
draft a guy named Yhency? Brazoban throws the ball real well and looks like the
real deal. His character seems to be the question that only time will answer.
25)
STATE STREET SLUGGERS Dave Bush P:It's
rare that a young relief pitcher is converted into a starter, normally it's the
other way around. Bush is not overpowering, but knows how to pitch. Dave
should have a solid career with lots of graded starts in his future. He doesn't
look like an arm injury waiting to happen, so why would Nick draft him?
26)
GREEN ROCK BOMBERS Mike Adams *:
Mike rebounded from missing out on Calero
and got a pretty good one in Adams. Mike finished will enter his sophomore year
as the Brewers closer.
27)
CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS Robb Quinlan 3B:Even
Babe Ruth must have had an off day every once in a while. Quinlan can flat out
hit! But he's a little older and he's log jammed with the Los Angeles Angels of
Anaheim near El Segundo. Still he'll be a nice bat off the bench and might be
the difference in getting the 4th win
in the World Series.
28)
AURORA GAMBLERS Nate Robertson P:Is
that you Nate? Robertson threw big time innings as a rookie. While he didn't
have the big time hype, all he did was get the job done. Will fit in nicely
behind Webb, Willis, & Gobble.
29)
GREEN ROCK BOMBERS Yadier Molina C:He's
the best defensive young catcher to come into the league since his brother
Benji. Yadier might even be better behind the dish. Right now Molina is no
bargain with the stick. If only you could combine them into one guy Yadier
Piazza!
30)
CHICAGO CHAMPIONS Jose Castillo 2B:
As a secondbaseman this kid can rake! The more you hear of Jose the more you
gotta like him. Castillo will never make anybody forget his name sake in the
field. But his winter ball season showed the bat potential he's got.
31)
CHICAGO CHAMPIONS Neal Cotts P*:Cotts
has four 6's. With both Lowry & Bush gone the Champs needed a pitcher to
start a few games. Neal is a Springfield southpaw out of ISU. Was born on Glavine's birthday. Whether he's good or badd, it'll be funn! Did I tell you
he's got four 6's?
32)COLONA UPPERDECKERS
Alexis RiosOF: Much better
selection than last year's rookie outfielder Marlin Byrd! Rios is a big
rightfielder, with a big arm. Alexis only hit one homer as a rookie, but will
develop power as he fills out. Nice comparison might be Dave Winfield.
A+ - MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Cordero & LaRoche
This team is poised for a playoff run and got
just what the doctor ordered. Cordero is nasty & the real deal! LaRoche will
step in right now at 1B.
A* - CHICAGO
HIGHLANDERS: Madson, Gonzalez, Calero, & Quinlan
Rob selected just what he needed. Last
year I said Rob Moore wouldnt need a closer anytime soon, barring injury. And
now one year later Im grading the Highlanders with an A* for taking another
A*. He got just what he needed. I'm sounding like a broken record. Only this
time he got an A*, an A&C*, & a B*. All three of these relievers are good and
should be able to do it again. None looks like an arm injury waiting to
happen. Anxious to see the big World Series hit Robb gets to seal the deal!
B+ - STATE STREET
SLUGGERS: Wright, Burnett, & Bush The two Daves are GREAT
picks! While Sean Burnett might turn out to be good if he's kept rather than
dropped for a #3. I ask again, why would you take a future #3 pick with a
current #2 draft choice? Grady Sizemore, Alexis Rios, or Jayson Werth would
have been better picks.
B - AURORA
GAMBLERS: Bay, Otsuka, Duchscherer, & Robertson
Bay will be a solid outfielder in the IAL.
Otsuka steps right in for Rivera. Robertson was a steal at the 2nd to
the last pick in the regular draft.
B- - NORTHSIDE
HITMEN: Crosby, Takatsu, & Gonzalez Boring
draft! Berroa & Utley were better picks one year ago at their respective
positions than Crosby & Gonzalez. Takatsu will be the closer d'jour. Not much
upside, but might get Luke another ring.
C+ - TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS: Lowry
Maybe the next Tom Glavine, maybe the next
Jimmy Gobble.
C - CHICAGO
CHAMPIONS: Greinke, Upton, Morneau, Sizemore, Castillo, & Cotts
There is a lot of upside in this draft,
but a lot of gamble too. Zack Greinke could be the next Champion Ace along the
lines of Hershiser & Maddux. Once Upton improves his defense at SS, he'll be
the next Derek Jeter. Morneau can hit, but firstbaseman should hit, question
about his health. Sizemore, Castillo, & Cotts are all huge gambles!
C- - COLONA
UPPERDECKERS: Buck, Crain, & Rios
Buck is a good hitting catcher, but
they've got Hernandez. Crain is a hard throwing reliever, but they've already
got KROD & Troy. Nothing to not like about Rios!
D+ - GREEN ROCK
BOMBERS: Greene, Sanchez, Adams, & Molina
Khalil Greene is a good one, but they
already had Renteria. And traded him to their chief competition, the T*Chix.
Might have been better now with Renteria & Otsuka. Adams will be an asset in
the pen for years, while Duaner will be forgotten soon. Molina looks to be the
Bomber future at catcher.
F -RISING BAMM BEANOS: Madritsch
& Brazoban
Two question marks! The only reason they got
Madritsch was because of his history of injuries, this team needs him to be
healthy. Would have been better off with solid picks of Otsuka & Bush.
2005 IAL OVERLOOKED ROOKIES
This was an
interesting draft. Everybody was saying there really wasn't much talent to be
had. Maybe that's because after the draft was over all the talent was still on
the board. This year everybody loaded up on pitching, which means this
overlooked list is loaded with position players.
1 JAYSON WERTH OF This MONSTER can hit! Werth
hit 16 HR's in limited time out of the box and his future looks very bright as
he's slated to be LA's regular leftfielder this year. He has a big arm!
Grandson of Ducky Schofield & nephew of Dick Schofield. Illinois boy was born
in Springfield.
2 MICHAEL CUDDYER
3B Can you say hype delayed?
This is what might have happened with Cuddyer as it took him a little while to
get it all together, but he's still a youngster. Cuddyer kills lefties and will
be the Twins everyday thirdbaseman this year. He has some pop & was very
versatile as a rookie 3B-all, 2B-all, 1B-40, OF-40.
3 MATT HOLLIDAY
OF Right place at the right
time! Holliday is a BIG MOOSE who'll be playing everyday in Colorado. Matt
batted .290 as a rookie, hitting righties better than lefties. As a fielder,
he's a pretty good hitter.
4 CHARLES THOMAS
OF Thomas is a bats lefty &
hits lefties as well as righties. That's why he'll be a solid regular in
Oakland. He also is a pretty good outfielder.
5 JOSE LOPEZ SS
Lopez played SS as a rookie,
but is probably Seattle's secondbaseman of the future. Jose is just a kid, will
be an outstanding fielder at second, & has good pop.
6 JORGE CANTU 2B
Although Roberto Alomar was
brought in by Tampa Bay, Cantu will be the Devil Rays secondbaseman. He wants
to be a cowboy in Mexico when his playing days are over, but his future's just
beginning so his family' 8,645-acre ranch will have to wait. Jorge batted .301
with double power as a rookie, hit .373 vs lefties.
7 IVAN DE JESUS
OF Ivan is an excellent
centerfielder who can really fly. DeJesus batted leadoff once Beltran was
traded by the Royals. He batted .287 with a good eye as a rookie, put together
two 15 game hitting streaks, & batted .314 after the All Star break. Ivan will
be even better once he learns how to steal bases (8 out of 19).
8 RUBEN GOTAY 2B Ruben is the nephew of Julio
Gotay. This Gotay is a smooth fielder who'll be KC's regular secondbaseman,
even though he's just a kid. He's a perfect number two hitter, doing all the
little things to beat you.
9 SCOTT HAIRSTON
2B Baseball family to the
MAX! His grandfather Sam starred for Indianapolis and was the first African
American to play for the White Sox in 1951. His father Jerry played for the
White Sox, while his uncle John was a member of the 1969 Cubs. His brother
Jerry, Jr. will play for the Cubs this year. Now about Scott, he has some pop,
limited range at 2B, & strikes out a lot. All that said, he has the inside
track at starting for Arizona.
10 RYAN WAGNER P*
Ryan's a big Texas righty who can really throw the baseball. Wagner was drafted
as a sophomore out of the University of Houston where he struckout 148 batters
in 78' innings (16.8 per 9 innings). In the bigs last year he didn't strikeout
batters and allowed over one hit per inning. If this kid puts it togethr he'll
be the Reds closer for years to come.
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