2028 JJL Draft Review

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TheBigKahuna0
Posts: 202
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2017 11:38 am

2028 JJL Draft Review

Post by TheBigKahuna0 »

Well the archives are lost, so now we're looking at the first edition of the new draft review! It also gives me a shot to change some things about the format because I don't remember the old one well enough. I'll still factor in roster needs and such when grading picks. As usual it's all my opinion so feel free to disregard or decry your grades.

1) Detroit Survivors - Mark Townsend - SP
With a new owner back for his third stint in the league, Detroit went with a solid choice at #1 overall. Townsend is a 21 year old arm that is balanced and with a slight emphasis on control. He's slated to develop in the minors this year and should rise quickly. He enters the bottoming-out franchise as the #3 or 4 pitcher on the roster. He has a great shot at an A+ control rating and A overall at some point in his career. His quick rise should open up room for other top picks this franchise will pick up over the next few seasons.
Future Comparison: Joe Phillips
ETA: 2029
Player potential: A
Organization Fit: A
Overall Grade: A

2) Philadelphia Athletics - Dan Rogers - SP
Philadelphia followed Detroit with another early 20's pitcher close to promotion. His balance is not as good as Townsend's and he's a bit behind overall, but still has a good shot at being a big time starter. The pick fits with the organization's position as top pitching prospect Carl Borkowski's call-up left the perfect spot for Rogers. He'll move quickly to join a budding rotation in the next couple of years. On the other hand the A's passed on any hitting prospects while that side of the ball remains weak in the minors.
Future Comparison: Chick Leslie
ETA: 2029
Player potential: A
Organization Fit: C+
Overall Grade: B

3) Arizona Ghost Riders - Joe Olin - RP
It is odd to see 3 early 20's pitchers take up the top three in a draft, but that seems to be the way the talent stacked up this year. Olin is clearly the #3 choice of those arms as the only certain reliever and the oldest of the bunch. He'll get a shot to develop in the minors, but could get a call-up if Arizona falls out of the race. Pitching depth in the minors was a big need for Arizona with most of their prospect capital in the future lineup. Olin should be a key component to the future bullpen, but Arizona was certainly hoping for of the guys drafted in the top 2.
Future Comparison: Vance Duran without the endurance
ETA: 2029
Player potential: B+
Organization Fit: A
Overall Grade: A-

4) Kansas City Monarchs - Joe Mulder - RF
KC got the choice of the hitting lot and came out with a good one. This outfielder seems more of a contact heavy player, but is mostly balanced.
He'll achieve elite speed and can play just about every day. He'll be a black hole in the outfield - the kind that sucks, not the kind that pulls in all the fly balls. Mulder slides into the organization as the #1 or 2 prospect in a system mostly lacking talent. KC's focus on pitching in previous drafts made hitting a priority in this one.
Future Comparison: John Dowd
ETA: 2034
Player potential: B+
Organization Fit: A+
Overall Grade: A-

5) St. Louis Browns - Raidel Peraza - RF
The Browns came away with the best player available in the draft. Peraza is also the oldest at 30 years old. He's a good hitter with great speed and should play the outfield well. However, he'll be gone in a few year and the roster lacks impact prospects. Specifically, the Browns have 0 starting pitching prospects and the average age of their staff is about 36 years old. With this team going nowhere this year, going after a prospect to develop would have been a more prudent plan. All is forgiven if the Browns can find Peraza a new home via trade as that could be the best shot for value at #5.
Future Comparison: Raidel Peraza (he ain't changing)
ETA: Now
Player potential: B
Organization Fit: F
Overall Grade: D+

6) Chicago Beagles - Kenji Oishi - 1B
The Beagles followed the Browns with their own import player. Oishi is a above average contact hitter with disappointing speed for that skill set. He's no treat defensively, but is at least just 27 years old. Looking at the organization, pitching is in a pretty good spot and the lineup isn't terrible. Oishi should help the team now, but at the expense of any hitting prospects that could help down the road. Even at his age, Oishi is probably the best hitting prospect in the Chicago minors.
Future Comparison: Kenji Oishi (he also ain't changing)
ETA: Now
Player potential: B-
Organization Fit: D+
Overall Grade: C-

7) Seattle Steelheads - Mitch Yelding - 2B
Seattle reached here for a major project at #7. Yelding has plenty of potential and could turn into a great player. The drawback is that it may take 5-6 years to get him there. His power could top out at A+ while his contact should be decent. He'll boast elite speed with solid range and an average arm. His natural position seems perfect for him. This roster already has plenty of young players needing attention, so the fit isn't as good as one of the pitchers taken earlier in the draft. Still a solid prospect, just don't expect to hear from him until he's out of options.
Future Compairson: Leonard Nimoy
ETA: 2035
Player potential: A
Organization Fit: C
Overall Grade: B-

8) Cleveland Tomahawk Chops - Yovanny Cruz - SP
Cleveland bit on an older pitcher in the peak of his development potential. At B/B+ and 24 years old he'll need major league innings to improve, but he could become a reliable mid-rotation starter. He won't pull down any Cy Young awards but an All-Star nod or two isn't out of question. There's room for him in the major league rotation, but there's also CP's to spare on the farm. With a team that isn't likely to compete this year, there was an opportunity to draft a younger talent to develop over time.
Future Comparison: Jeff Yeager
ETA: Now
Player potential: B
Organization Fit: C
Overall Grade: C+

9) Cincinnati Blackened Blowfish - Wally Sivess - RP
B overall at 19 years old doesn't tend to slip out of the top half of the first round, but Sivess falls right into Cincy's lap. The main reason for his fall down the ranks is his status as strictly a reliever. He still has great stuff at B+/C+ and is nearly as good as some of the players currently in their pen. The Blowfish farm is crowded, but not too crowded for a very good prospect that could be a quick call-up if space is needed.
Future Comparison: Jared Reynolds (as a reliever)
ETA: 2032
Player potential: A
Organization Fit: B-
Overall Grade: B+

10) Boston Red Sox - George Nichting - CF
Similar to Sivess at #9, this selection features a fairly advanced prospect without the ideal makeup. He should be a perfect center fielder with elite contact, speed and range. He's B- overall and won't turn 19 until June. He's instantly a top-2 prospect in the system and should enjoy a long career.
Future Comparison: A better version of Jason Lester
ETA: 2033
Player potential: A
Organization Fit: A
Overall Grade: A

11) Pittsburgh Chosen Ones - Kazunori Moriguchi - RP
After finishing short of the playoffs last season, Pittsburgh broke from past draft preferences and went with an import pitcher that can contribute this season. Moriguchi isn't going to transform the pen as a B-/A- arm and the franchise will hope he can eat some innings to save the high leverage arms for prime time. While he was the best player available, a pick like Steve Meyer probably would have been just as good this year with some growth potential. The minor league system is the fullest around, so going with a major league ready guy was a better choice for the franchise.
Future Compairson: Kazunori Moriguchi (Imports... Imports never change)
ETA: Now
Player potential: D
Organization Fit: A-
Overall Grade: C

12) Washington Halos - Tom Moyer - SP
Even at his age, starting with B control is a great building block. The 20 year old Moyer has the potential to top it out at A+ which would make him a fantastic starter for the Halos. He's now the only starting pitcher prospects in the system and is already the top prospect of a below average farm system. As the 12th overall pick of a playoff hopeful team, this a solid selection.
Future Comparison: Shawn Gooch
ETA: 2032
Player potential: A
Organization Fit: A
Overall Grade: A

13) Los Angeles Stars - Boris Karloff - RP
The Stars got a monster of a pitcher that should send opposing hitters running with their pitchforks. He's got a shot to be a starter but even in the bullpen he should provide value. He's a year or two too old to be an elite prospect and instead should shoot for mid-rotation starter or late inning reliever. The farm is pretty stocked but well organized with Borgnine's promotion and Rickle's anticipated promotion next year.
Future Comparison: Mike Caldwell
ETA: 2035
Player potential: B
Organization Fit: B+
Overall Grade: B+

14) Philadelphia Athletics - George Wehner - RP
With their second selection this draft the A's picked up a pretty good relief prospect. The 17 year old is one of the youngest players in this draft and will be well known down on the farm before he gets promoted. His C+/C stuff projects well and he should end up an A- overall reliever working in big spots. As stated before the A's need some hitting prospects, but at this point in the draft you can't fault for taking the best available player.
Future Comparison: Jesse McKelvy
ETA: 2035
Player Potential: A
Organization Fit: B+
Overall Grade: A-

15) Minnesota Massacres - Bill Nordyke - RF
American League champion Minnesota looked at the draft for immediate help and pull away with just that. Nordyke is ready to hit right handed pitching but that might be his only angle. He's very weak vs left handers, slow and rates poor defensively. He's only 22 so there's room to grow. Expect him to enter a platoon at first but he has a shot to get out of it eventually. Minnesota has room in the minors for a prospect, but the chance to win it all influenced this selection.
Future Comparison: Milton Berle (minus Milt's ability to hit lefties)
ETA: 2035
Player Potential: B
Organization Fit: B
Overall Grade: B

16) Miami Yams - Kevin Barberich - RF
The Yams picked up an imperfect prospect with a bit of a low ceiling. Barberich has a major league future, but his weak hitting vs right handers and poor defense could limit his starting ability. He's a good shot to start vs left handers and will boast plus speed. The organization is already overflowing with prospects, leading the Yams to already have Barberich on the block. At this pick, there wasn't much else to take.
Future Comparison: John Tebeau
ETA: 2035
Player Potential: C+
Organization Fit: C
Overall Grade: C
meat1968
Posts: 466
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 8:06 am

Re: 2028 JJL Draft Review

Post by meat1968 »

You, my friend, are awesome! Great write up that's greatly appreciated!!!
Q_142857
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 2:21 pm

Re: 2028 JJL Draft Review

Post by Q_142857 »

As always, a great read. I like the new features!
winkabob
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 9:23 am

Re: 2028 JJL Draft Review

Post by winkabob »

Thanks as always man. Don't ever leave this league Bro :D
Technoboy
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 9:26 am

Re: 2028 JJL Draft Review

Post by Technoboy »

Great analysis ! A+
mbaerwal
Posts: 548
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:58 am

Re: 2028 JJL Draft Review

Post by mbaerwal »

Your reviews are very informative and interesting to read. They are a real bonus in this league !!!!!!!!!!!!
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