2029 JJL Draft Review

[TheBigKahuna0]

#NewYearNewDraft - Here is this season's draft review. It had a couple can't-miss pitchers up top and was filled with intriguing bats.

Overall a top-heavy draft. We should see some impact pitchers soon and some pretty solid bats later. Not quite 16 picks deep, so overall this draft grades as a B+.


1) Anaheim Earthquake - Zachary Teller - SP
Teller was the consensus #1 pick and will join an organization in the midst of a pitching stockpiling run. It will be interesting to see how he's handled since he's very close to being a competent big league pitcher at 17 years old. Always a good fit picking up a top-flight starter to kick off a draft.
Future Comparison: Brett Romulus with starter endurance
ETA: 2032
Player potential: A+
Organization Fit: A+
Overall Grade: A+

2) Philadelphia Athletics - Ron Spicer - SP
Spicer is likely the #1 choice in most drafts as a B-/A- starter at just 22 years old. The A's are stocked with young pitching so Spicer's equivalent as a bat would be preferred here. Since that didn't exist, take the obvious 2nd best prospect of this draft and things will work out just fine.
Future Comparison: Joe Bell
ETA: 2030
Player Potential: A
Organizational Fit: A-
Overall Grade: A

3) Milwaukee Wolf Men - Ichiro Fujishima - 1B
Stuck with the undesirable position of picking third in a draft with two greats, Milwaukee went with the best bat in the draft. Fujishima should hit well along with good speed and good defense. However, he's 29 years old and on a team with a bunch of needs in a rebuild. He needs to be traded for the Wolf Men to get any value from this selection.
ETA: Now
Future Compairson: Ichiro Fujishima
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: C-
Overall Grade: C

4) Kansas City Monarchs - Willie Holborow - 2B
The Monarchs snagged the first offensive prospect in this draft in the speedster Holborow. Already sporting A+ speed, Holborow should also hit lefties very well. His outlook on right handers is good, not great. Overall he looks like a solid offensive contributor, but will need to slide over the 3B as he lacks the range to handle the middle infield.
ETA: 2034
Future Compairson: Rick Ramirez
Player Potential: A-
Organizational Fit: A
Overall Grade: A-

5) Chicago Beagles - Sherry Petrocelli - SP
The Beagles kick off a small pitching run with the 21 year old Petrocelli. A C+ overall rating is not what you want to see on a 21 year old, though Petrocelli has some reason for optimism. He has the right balance of velocity to control and will now have to race against he clock to bring those ratings up. There appear to be a couple of starters that could have gone in this spot instead and surely better relief and offensive talents were left on the table.
ETA: 2033
Future Comparison: Randy Marrero
Player Potential: C+
Organizational Fit: B-
Overall Grade: B-

6) Seattle Steelheads - Frank Kelly - RP
Starting pitching is a bigger need, but Kelly was too much to pass on. The C+/B+ reliever should become a fantastic tandem along with current closer Stan Stone. With a lack of starting options left in the draft and a pretty good stock of young hitting, this seemed to be the only selection for Seattle.
ETA: 2030
Future Comparison: Dane Miljus
Player Potential: B+
Organizational Fit: A
Overall Grade: A-

7) Cincinnati Blackened Blowfish - J.T. Boone - SP
The Blowfish go fishing for a starting pitcher, and end up with anther C+ starter in his early 20's. Boone has a shot to build on his control over the next couple of years in the minors but any setback likely ends his big league aspirations. His velocity will prevent him from ever reaching the elite level.
ETA: 2031
Future Comparison: Dave Gardner
Player Potential: C
Organizational Fit: B
Overall Grade: C+

8) St. Louis Browns - Fred Erskine - CF
Searching for the next generation of great Browns, St. Louis went for this high powered teenage prospect. Erskine already has B+ and B power, but combines that with F and D+ contact. As one of the youngest players in the draft, he has plenty of time to develop and should get enough contact to put that power to use. This is a good pick even if the Browns need pitching - at this point there aren't many arms left.
ETA: 2035
Future Comparison: Tyson Branch
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: B-
Overall Grade: B

9) Washington Halos - Ed Campisi - SP
Campisi might be the best starting pitcher after the top two selections, but his C- control scared off enough teams. A-/C- is worth a shot at #9 on a team building a nice stable of pitchers. He'll be a boom or bust this season as it all hinges on where his control ends up.
ETA: 2033
Future Comparison: Bill Jennings
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: C
Overall Grade: B-

10) Boston Red Sox - Josh Sigman - RP
Sigman is further down the velocity/control split that plagues Campisi which could explain his drop despite being a B overall pitcher. At A+/C there isn't much hope for Sigman. His bet shot is to get that control rating up to C+ which may require some major league IC's. Pitching is the big need in Boston, so a reach here isn't the worst play.
ETA: 2032
Future Comparison: Tim Fazio
Player Potential: D+
Organizational Fit: B
Overall Grade: C+

11) Cleveland Tomahawk Chops - Rex Orosco - SP
Orosco is 25 years old and B-B-. With the bulk of his development years behind him, it will take a huge season to provide any hope in his future.
ETA: 2035
Future Comparison: George Ayers
Player Potential: F
Organizational Fit: A-
Overall Grade: D+

12) Seattle Steelheads - Al Rondon - RP
Two firsts and two relievers is far from an ideal draft. Rondon represented the best talent available, even if it's at the more limited pitching position. He'll be 19 for most of the season and B/C+ is a good starting point. He could be rushed ahead like new teammate Kelly if CP's are in need next season.
ETA: 2033
Future Comparison: Stan Stone
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: D
Overall Grade: C-

13) Colorado Stegosaurus - Van Durst - 2B
Hard to believe the second hitting prospect came off the board down at #13 which is a great situation for Colorado. Durst is a solid contact prospect who should have no problem reaching A+ in that department. His speed is lacking, but his power should be good enough to keep him in the lineup.
ETA: 2034
Future Comparison: Hal Ellis
Player Potential: A-
Organizational Fit: B
Overall Grade: B+

14) Minnesota Massacre - Takashi Kurosaka - 3B
Win-now strategy lands the 2nd import of this draft at #14. He has good contact but won't develop much else. He'll make the big leagues, but it's doubtful he'll ever have a meaningful role.
ETA: Now
Future Comparison: Takashi Kurosaka
Player Potential: D
Organizational Fit: F
Overall Grade: D

15) Los Angeles Stars - Tony Curtis - RF
LA jumps on the same train as Colorado picking up a solid prospect late in this round. Curtis is a bit older than Durst, but has a better split. He should develop red-letter power and top-notch speed. He's a liability in the field, but playing in a dress will do that.
ETA: 2034
Future Comparison: Joe Schirick
Player Potential: A-
Organizational Fit: A-
Overall Grade: A-

16) Miami Yams - Jerry Tidrow - 2B
Drafts tend to have different levels, with one pick to the next showing a drop off in talent. That's this pick as the Stars got a much better player just one pick earlier. The rest of this draft is mostly trash and the Yams will hope for the best with Tidrow. He should hit right handers fairly well but doesn't have much hope against left handers. His speed will be above average but not elite. If he wins a Gold Glove the runner-up will have a gripe. Still, at #16, there are worse long-shots.
ETA: 2035
Future Comparison: Tom Christmas
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: B+
Overall Grade: B

[winkabob]

Great job Kahuna. The time you put into these is much appreciated.

I'll admit "He's a liability in the field, but playing in a dress will do that." gave me a great, big belly laugh!

[meat1968]

The dress comment was brilliant - as was the rest of the write up! Always look forward to your write up - thanks for putting in the time and effort. Greatly appreciated. Let's go A's!