2032 JJL Draft Review

[TheBigKahuna0]

Plenty of young hitters in this draft, but not a ton of pitching. There was depth to be found all the way through. This was one of our better drafts and if there had been this many pitchers instead of hitters, it could have been the best ever.


1) Colorado Rockers - Dave Grohl - SS
Clearly the top talent in the draft, Grohl ends up #1 to the Rockers. He's going to dominate offensively hitting lefties and righties while stealing plenty of bases. His only knock is that he won't have the arm for the left side of the infield. Even though the Rockers are short on CP's, this is a talent you can't pass up.
Future Comparison: Steve Burks
ETA: 2036
Player Potential: A+
Organizational Fit: B
Overall Grade: A-

2) St. Louis Flyers - Dick Heitmuller - SS
Heitmuller is the best player (today) in the draft although his initials provide the accurate outlook: DH. He has awful range that won't get decent and his health will keep him out of a lot of game. But his swing is too good to pass up. He's already the best hitter on the Flyers and really should be up at the next level already.
Future Comparison: Keith Lahti
ETA: 2033
Player Potential: A
Organizational Fit: A
Overall Grade: A

3) Boston Red Sox - Jose Jackson - CF
Jackson has a mostly balanced swing that leans more towards contact. If it were reversed, he would have challenged Grohl for #1. He'll develop great speed and will have no problem covering center field. Similar to Grohl, he won't throw well so center field or second base is probably his future. He's 1 of just 2 teenagers on the Red Sox meaning he's a good fit to rebuild their minor league system.
Future Comparison: Rip Torn
ETA: 2036
Player Potential: A
Organizational Fit: A
Overall Grade: A

4) Milwaukee Micronauts - Nobuo Inamine - 3B
While the quality drops after three solid picks, this was not the way to go. The Micronauts are picking 4 here and could be picking 1 next year. Instead of snagging a prospect to add to their miserable farm team, they go for the 29 year old import. He doesn't even have much trade value as he profiles as a bench bat for a decent team. He's not even a good leader. There's little positive about this pick as he should have been a late first rounder or second round pick, not 4th overall.
Future Comparison: Nobuo Inamine
ETA: Now
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: F
Overall Grade: D+

5) Seattle Steelheads - Jack Johnson - SP
In this hitting heavy draft, the first pitcher comes off the board at 5th overall. Jackson is a long-term project starting at C/C+ and 19 years old. He probably won't be a top act, but has the upside to hold his own as the Robin to his staff's Batman. He lands in a crowded system, but he'll get a shot to develop over some lesser prospects already in place.
Future Comparison: Marty Robertson
ETA: 2037
Player Potential: A-
Organizational Fit: B
Overall Grade: B+

6) Colorado Rockers - James Hetfield - RP
Hetfield profiles as a solid closer prospect but he will join a very crowded system that already added a top prospect in this draft. By talent alone, he's going to have a great career. If he was not firmly on the reliever track, odds are he would have gone higher.
Future Comparison: Fernando Cerutti
ETA: 2036
Player Potential: B+
Organizational Fit: C
Overall Grade: B-

7) Cleveland Tomahawk Chops - Bill Snook - 3B
Snook joins a quickly improving minor league group in Cleveland (their second rounder Preibisch is solid too). Snook hits and runs like a future leadoff man, although lacks much defensive ability. Corner outfield is probably his destination or he could be a stretch at third base. His ability to make contact is undeniable and along with the two teenagers in the system there is a good base to build from in Cleveland.
Future Comparison: Norm Miller
ETA: 2034
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: A
Overall Grade: A-

8) Kansas City Monarch - Jerry Sanford - 2B
Sanford won't be heard from for a long time, but when he makes his debut it could be as the cornerstone of the franchise. He'll develop solid power to go with above average contact, speed, and defense. He enters the system as the clear favorite for CP's and should get his max development through his minor league career.
Future Comparison: Lonnie Popp
ETA: 2037
Player Potential: A
Organizational Fit: A-
Overall Grade: A-

9) Cincinnati Blackened Blowfish - Eddie Madden - SS
Madden is the youngest player in the organization by two years and will be able to develop his slap hitting and base stealing for a long time. He's not a good bet to hit 10 home runs in a season, but he could steal 60 bases as he enters the league with A+ speed. His contact will easily hit A+ as well. He'll be lucky to stick at shortstop long-term, but it could happen making him a fantastic pick at #9.
Future Comparison: Bill Jackson
ETA: 2037
Player Potential: B+
Organizational Fit: A
Overall Grade: A-

10) Washington Halso - Erik Luderus - SP
The Halos went for pitching and ended up with a starter on the verge of his 23rd birthday. He will quickly rise up and is likely to become a mid-rotation starter. It's good value at this point in the draft, especially considering the lack of pitching in this class overall.
Future Comparison: Pat McDonnell
ETA: 2033
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: B
Overall Grade: B

11) Philadelphia Athletics - Clem Raffo - LF
The A's got a young hitter that should be very good against right handed hitters. He may need a partner against left handers. He'll have solid speed and his defense will easily be good enough for left field. Overall a solid pick for a team on the rise.
Future Comparison: Bill North
ETA: 2037
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: A
Overall Grade: A-

12) Chicago Beagles - Rey Murphy - C
This might be an error in rankings as Murphy looks like a 2nd-3rd round prospect. He'll be decent against left handers, but hopeless with righties. He has enough arm to play behind the plate and his future as a backup catcher is likely the only thing that kept him from going undrafted. Still, it's a reach especially for a team well stocked with mediocre catchers.
Future Comparison: Spud Lonborg
ETA: 2033
Player Potential: C
Organizational Fit: D
Overall Grade: D+

13) Minnesota Massacres - Russ Schneck - CF
Minnesota should have opted for a long term project instead of the low upside Schneck. The youngest player on this roster is 20 followed by a pair of 21 year olds. The resources are there for a teenager, but instead they get a bat that probably ends up on their bench long-term.
Future Comparison: Bill Munro
ETA: 2034
Player Potential: C-
Organizational Fit: C-
Overall Grade: C-

14) Colorado Rockers - Mike Katoll - SS
With a third pick in the first round and a system that started full, the Rockers did well to go with Katoll. Katoll is an older prospect (21) who is not ready for the majors but could develop there due to the CP crunch. Katoll runs well and will make contact, but is probably destined for the bench.
Future Comparison: Ken Foy
ETA: 2033
Player Potential: C+
Organizational Fit: B+
Overall Grade: B

15) Los Angeles Stars - Nicholas Cage - CF
Cage enters a pretty full minor league system although it lacks high quality prospects. He'll be a speedster that can start against left handers but won't get much play against right handers. His poor defense makes him a poor shot to discover World Series treasure.
Future Comparison: John Tebeau
ETA: 2035
Player Potential: B
Organizational Fit: C
Overall Grade: B-

16) Miami Yams - Jack Shindle - 3B
This pick sums up this draft. Plenty of young hitters, but not much on the mound. Shindle is a promising contact/speed prospect that should be able to handle one of the high range positions on the field. He joins a crowded system and could be on his way out in exchange for an upgrade on the major league roster.
Future Comparison: Chris Eckert
ETA: 2037
Player Potential: B+
Organizational Fit: C
Overall Grade: B-

[mrtwolff]

This is always a highlight to my dynasty season. Been really looking forward t it. Great as always!!

[ratman44]

Awesome as always.

[winkabob]

"Cage enters a pretty full minor league system although it lacks high quality prospects."

Ain't that the truth!

Always fun to read these. The time you put into it is much appreciated by the league!

[meat1968]

I ain't gonna lie...I anxiously checked every day to see if you had the write up posted like a young Meatman waiting for the morning paper & Yankees box score! Always enjoy the write up and this years was top shelf, as usual.

Thanks for the hard work that it takes to put it together!

[TheBigKahuna0]

Heh, yeah, I was further behind than usual but for sure going to get to this in our first month of the season. Glad you guys enjoy it!

[Racepicks]

Thanks for doing this Kahuna! Always look forward to reading your Draft Review!