Season 8 First Round Draft Review

1. Boston – Donatello Aspromonte/SS – Fulton County HS

Not much is known about the switch-hitting shortstop from rural Kentucky, but thus far he remains unsigned. This has to be considered a strange number one pick for Boston, particularly considering the incredible depth that already exists at shortstop in the Clydesdales system. One has to assume that either he projects to a different position, or he was just too much of a can’t miss prospect to pass up. Either way, until the enigmatic Aspromonte signs, he just a guy with a painter’s name.

2. San Antonio – Rich Parris/2B – University of Maine

San Antonio grabbed the Dallas native with the second pick in the draft, and while yet unsigned, he seems likely to sign considering his draft slot. The former Maine Black Bear has great contact against both right and left handed pitchers, superb speed, solid range in the field, and an unmatchable work ethic that could lead to him exceeding expectations. Provided he gets signed, he could soon add an important piece to the Slugs’ lineup, although the Slugs are having trouble with a few of their early picks.

3. Louisville – Bunny Osborn/CF – Hannah-Pamplico HS

With the third pick, Louisville took a big chance on the high schooler from South Carolina, and the Bunny has yet to be signed. Osborn has scholarship offers from several powerhouse colleges, and seems highly unlikely to sign. Osborn is projected by some as a centerfielder, and some as a shortstop, and we have to assume that Louisville was looking at him as the former, with super prospect Bob Daly sitting at Triple A. Osborn is very strong defensively and possesses a good bat, but if he doesn’t get signed, it’s a big blow for the Sluggers.

4. Portland – Jayson Neilsen/SS – Johnson County Community College

With the fourth pick, the Wet Streaks grabbed the promising shortstop from Platte City, MO. Neilsen looks to have all the tools to be a successful shortstop, with an excellent glove, decent range, a good throwing arm, and a good bat with solid contact and power. With current shortstop Sammy Espinosa still failing to meet expectations, Neilsen will likely be given a good shot to take over the starting job before long.

5. Madison – Richard Berry/P – University of Arkansas-Little Rock

The Muskies moved immediately to address their pitching concerns by grabbing the senior pitcher. Berry has excellent control and velocity, but his lack of a top-flight pitch could be a concern. Still, Berry is one of the most prepared pitchers in the draft, and will be expected to contribute to the Madison rotation soon, hopefully helping fill one of the holes in the Muskie staff.

6. Atlanta – Desi James/P – Shady Side Academy

The Stars only had one pick in the first three rounds, and they took a flier on the high schooler from the shady side of the street. Actually, the superb athlete from Pittsburgh could turn into a great pitcher, or he could do a lot of other things. We here at the Blog don’t even know his height or much else. Let’s just say this pick won’t be good until he gets signed and we can take a guess at it.

7. Las Vegas – Michael Carter/RF – Grace Christian HS

The Jarshalls have made no effort to sign any of their picks yet, so I think we have to assume that the owner is passed out under a blackjack table at Caesar’s Palace. This is why we don’t put professional sports franchises in Las Vegas. You have to feel for the poor 18-21 year olds who find out they might be moving to Vegas, and then get a dead cell phone whenever they try to call to negotiate. Honestly, somebody move this team already. What about Seattle? Seattle’s nice. Let’s move this team to Seattle. Oh, don’t know anything about Carter. Let’s say he’s a nice guy.

8. Detroit – Skip Romero/SS – Magnolia HS

Detroit is another franchise that is having a nightmare of a time signing draft picks. Their top three picks remained unsigned, and the Renegade have to hope that a couple more of these picks sign, or they could end up with a very empty draft. Romero is another prospect we know very little about, which is quickly leading the Blog to believe we may have to replace our scouting staff with a series of trained penguins.

9. Toledo – Cristian Fordham/2B – Blue Ridge HS

The Illini have only signed two of their picks thus far, and among the unsigned is the hotshot second baseman from Virginia. Fordham is a good talent, with an average bat and solid defensive skills, but may end up without a position with the rapidly emerging Felipe Guzman in front of him in the depth chart.

10. Philadelphia – Morrie McCartney/2B – Ezra Academy

With a promising young pitching staff already in place, Philadelphia took a flier on the young talent from New Jersey. An excellent contact hitter with nice speed and a good eye, McCartney could provide an excellent on-base percentage and help with the Phantoms run production. McCartney is still a raw talent, but definitely has the talent to become a fixture in Philly before long.

11. Cincinnati – John Patterson/LF – Redwood Valley HS

Cincinnati reached deep into the Minnesota prairie to emerge with the short and squat left fielder. Patterson hits with good contact and decent power, and is particularly devastating to lefties. He lacks arm strength, but has a decent glove and good range for a corner outfielder. Patterson projects as a long term contributor, and with good coaching could provide a solid hitter for the Red Doggs.

12. Pittsburgh – Sammy Allen/P – Ballston Spa HS

Pittsburgh has run into budget concerns regarding their draft picks, but hopefully they’ll be able to sign the young righthander. Allen has good stuff, with a major league four-seamer and cut fastball. His control and velocity are both quite good, and he could provide quite a boost for Gryphons rotation. A very solid pick that could be unfortunately derailed by economics.

13. Durham – Poseidon Linebrink/P – University of South Carolina

While it’s always an interesting decision to spend a first round pick on a relief pitcher, Durham has had bullpen woes, and will be counting on the God of the Ocean to be the lights-out closer that any contender needs. The pitcher some call Neptune has wicked stuff, and could contribute soon in the bullpen. The Sea Dogs will be hoping that Linebrink can provide not only the back end of the bullpen, but a really cool entrance video as well.

14. Kansas City – David Stein/3B – Miami-Dade College

The Royal Flush drew the third baseman from south Florida, and Stein looks to have the potential to be a big bat in the Kansas City lineup. He is a solid defensive infielder, and has serious big league power already. His speed is average, and he looks to be a very solid first round pick. Kansas City won’t need to rush him, and in a few years the long balls may begin raining off of Stein’s bat at Kauffman Stadium.

15. Richmond – Harry Gomez/CF – Clarendon College

The Colonials filled a huge need in their organizations by taking the center fielder from California. Gomez is an excellent contact hitter with good speed, and has very good range in the outfield. He is a high character selection, and with some development, could make a major impact both at the top of the Richmond batting order and out in center field.

16. Anaheim – Glenallen McGrady/C – Arizona Western College

Catcher is one of those difficult positions to find through the draft, and the Waves came away as the only team to select a catcher in the first round. McGrady was easily the best catching prospect in the draft, with a solid bat and solid arm. He brings a fiery attitude to the game, but possesses a good sense of how to call a game and can be a big asset to the Waves. The pick may have been a slight reach, but was at a position were talent is at a premium, and provides an insurance policy against a decline by current starter Jorge Velazquez.

17. Pawtucket – Kerry Redman/P – St. Elizabeth HS

The high school pitcher from California was the pitcher selected to try to help end the Piranha’s pitching woes. A solid groundball pitcher with good stuff, Redman looks to be a long-term project for Pawtucket. He has a way to go in terms of developing control, and it will be a few years before we see Redman in the big leagues. He has the stuff, it’ll be entirely dependent on his development as to the success of this pick.

18. Arizona – Steve Wright/SS – Hitech HS

The Cocopahs found a gem with the young shortstop from San Diego. Wright turned down an academic scholarship to MIT to join the Arizona organization, he brings with him a wealth of talent. Wright is an incredibly talented defensive shortstop, possessing great range and a bazooka for an arm. His bat is more than equal to the task, and he projects to be a major part of the Arizona infield. Arizona has to be very happy with this pick.

19. Colorado – Rico Montana/P – Silver Bluff HS

The Rocky Mountain Defenders selected the high school from South Carolina, who is still trying to decide between a scholarship offer to play basketball at Davidson or to sign with Colorado. Montana is a solid potential starter with good control and three good pitches, including a screwball, but his lack of velocity and propensity for flyballs could be a concern in the mile high air, if Colorado can keep him off the hardwood.

20. Honolulu – Stuart Powell/P – Motlow State Community College

The nineteen year old Powell headlines an excellent draft class of pitchers for the Tsunamis. Powell has three good pitches and excellent control and stamina, and could turn into a workhorse for the Tsunamis. His excellent control and command will have to make up for a sever lack of velocity though, but if his maintains that control, he could develop into an excellent pitch-to-contact starter.

21. Helena – Charlie Gragg/P – Kirkwood Community College

If you can’t count on the squad in Helena for good pitching, who can you count on? The Urbanites went for the lefty from Iowa in the first round, and Gragg projects as a good groundball pitcher with good control. Gragg has a plus fastball, although lacks good velocity, so he won’t be counted on for big strikeout games. He has average stamina, so there is the potential he may end up in the bullpen, but a solid pick for the boys from Montana.

22. Baltimore – Kevin West/SS – Clarinda HS

Baltimore has only managed to sign one of their first sixteen picks thus far. The eighteen year old shortstop from Iowa remains unsigned as well. Shortstop was not necessarily a need position for the Crab Cakes, but what does the Blog know? Half the time we don’t even have the positions right. This guy could be Cal Ripken, he could be Pat Listach, or he could be Pat Sajak. We got nothing. One has to wonder why so many of the Crab Cakes’ draft picks remain unsigned though.

23. Boise – Matthew Knepper/3B – University of Texas

The Boozehounds took a flier on the highly touted Longhorn junior, but he seems highly unlikely to sign. Going to Texas only after turning down scholarship offers from Lake Superior State University and Michigan Tech after breaking Oklahoma state club hockey records as a left-wing in high school, he has once again turned to the ice, and is highly considering a minor league contract with the Dallas Stars. The third baseman seems very unlikely to sign, and that has to be a blow to a Boise team desperately trying to get over the hump.

24. Wichita – Ken Jenkins/1B – Capitol HS

The Wichitards move to fill a hole in the system by taking the young infielder from just outside Helena. Jenkins has a very good eye, and solid power with hits to all fields. His range is good for a first baseman, but his glove leaves something to be desired. He has blazing speed, and if he develops his baserunning skills he could be a huge asset on the bases. Jenkins may appear as a bit of a reach, but he projects as a solid players.

25. Helena – Brendan Barber/P – University of Nevada-Reno

The Urbanites continue to gobble pitching up like Thanksgiving turkey, and the college standout looks to be another excellent selection. Barber is a nasty groundball pitcher, with excellent velocity and control. He supplements his plus fastball with a nasty forkball. He appears much more prepared to contribute, and we could easily see American League hitters bouncing his pitches to the shortstop in short order.

26. Florida – Marvin Jeter/SS – Valdosta State University

Jeter will fill an important role as a strong defensive shortstop if Florida can convince him to play baseball. The former Blazer running back was a Divison II All-American twice, and is considered a possible mid-round pick in the NFL Draft. If he joins the Fever, look for him to a consistent bat, great range, and a solid arm. Florida has also had a great deal of trouble signing their early picks, so time will tell if this becomes an issue.

27. New Orleans – Jon Gonzalez/3B – University of Delaware

The Canes selected the former Blue Hen, who looks like a long-term possibility to start at third down in the Big Easy. Gonzalez is solid defensively, possesses good speed, and has solid power. Several organizations had Gonzalez projected as the best third baseman in the draft. Without a good option at third right now, the Canes have to hope Gonzalez can contribute in short order.

28. Honolulu – Ivan Santiago/CF – Chipola Junior College

Honolulu grabbed the versatile center fielder from Tallahassee, FL. Santiago can play a number of positions, and possess outstanding range on defense. He has good speed, and a good eye at the plate. His hitting is average, but in a weak draft for center fielders, Santiago stands out as a value pick for the Tsunamis, and looks to eventually fill the spot currently held by the aging Max West.

29. Chicago – Andres Velazquez/P – Minnesota State University – Mankato

The Cubs selected the enigmatic Velazquez, who stays in the Midwest after four strange years in Mankato. The twenty-two year old Velazquez possesses an excellent fastball and good control overall, although he has a tendency to keep the ball in the air, and his velocity leaves something to be desired. He could emerge as a workhorse now, and his college experience leaves him in a position to contribute sooner rather than later.

30. Cleveland – Casey Gray/1B – Southside HS

Cleveland fans have to be excited about the long term potential of Casey Gray. The first baseman from South Carolina can flat-out rake, with incredible contact and big league power. His eye is excellent, and he has good speed to add to the package. The big question will be his fielding, as he has little range and a questionable glove, so his long term projection will be interesting. Still, the Keggers have to be toasting themselves with an excellent first round pick.

31. Columbus – Germany Ledee/LF – Pinewood Christian Academy

Columbus reached out and grabbed the strangely named left fielder from Georgia with their first pick. Ledee appears to be a prototypical corner outfielder, with decent range and glove, average speed, but a very good bat. Ledee looks to be a solid contributor down the road to a Cannibals team that needs to help at some offensive positions. Ledee’s pick is also strengthened by the poor level of talent in the outfield in the draft.

32. Jackson – Woody Griffith/CF – Scottsdale Community College

The Nine never seem like they even need to bother drafting, but short of videotaping the other team’s walkthroughs, they still get their picks, and Jackson continued to build depth by taking the top rated center fielder on many teams’ boards. Griffith has excellent power for a center fielder, and a good bat in most facets. He doesn’t have great range in the field or great speed though, so his long term prospects may lie at a different position, but a good value pick for the Nine.