Monday, September 24, 2012

Season 10 Draft Review


1.       P Henderson Davenport (PHI)
Owner Comments:
I was shooting for next year's #2. It backfired. The guy I got won't make the big leagues…well he might for me because my team stinks so bad, but you know what I mean. If I would have picked the the best player on my board it would have been the guy at #24.
hurricane384’s take:
Solid closer, might be a little early for a closer, especially one that won't put up that many innings and won't be dominant.
2.       P Peter Gray (ARI)
Owner Comments:

With the second overall pick of the draft, the Arizona Firebirds selected a dynamic 18 year old, right-handed pitcher, Peter Gray out of Oak Park High School in the surburb of Chicago. At times during his senior year, Gray was ranked as high as #1 on Baseball America’s 2012 mid-season list.However, rumors of him committing to multiple D-I schools such as Pepperdine, UCLA, and Arizona, caused him to start slipping down in the 1st round of the professional draft. The Firebirds saw him still sitting there at the No.2 overall pick and did not waste time scooping him up and making Arizona his permanent new home. Gray possesses outstanding control and 4 pitches in his arsenal including a very well developed 4-seam fastball,a nasty 12-6 curve which he can throw equally effective to hitters on either side of the plate as well as a developing changeup. While he does not throw heat, some scouts say that with his mechanics and ways he studies hitters as a young pitcher,he has top of the rotation potential. He could even challenge last season's 1st Rounder (5th overall) Al Owen as the top prospect in the Arizona farm system.
hurricane384’s take:
Good pick who should be able to anchor a staff for seasons to come.
3.       P Alex Suzuki (LA)
Owner Comments:
He was #1 on my draft board and so we felt very fortunate to be able to land him at 3. As far as I can see he's got it all, stamina/durability, control, splits, and velocity. If he comes anywhere near where his projections are he will be a bona fide ace for seasons to come.
hurricane384’s take:
Although he won't be able to get real deep into games, he has the potential to be a star.
4.       2B Denny Spencer (MNT)
Owner Comments:
The Hornets are extremely pleased to get Denny Spencer at #4,he was actually the #1 rated player on our board going into the draft. Since he's arrived in camp, we've tempered our expectations on his range & glove growth, but he looks like he can handle right handed pitching better than we expected,so we'll take that trade off. His contact, power & batting eye are exceptional, and as long as he approaches his defensive projections we won't have a problem playing him at 2B.He should hit around .300 with 30-40 HRs and have an OBP above .400 every season. Best case scenario he is a perenial all-star at 2B, worst case is he's a gold glove left fielder. In either case he will surely smash the **** out of the ball.
hurricane384’s take:
He's not likely to be a superstar, but still should be a good COF for the Hornets.
5.       SS Alan Lombard (ELP)
Owner Comments:
Lombard has a chance to be a .280 hitter with 20/20 as a possibility at SS. He has to stay healthy, which is a huge concern, but if he does, will be the starting SS in about 3 years.
hurricane384’s take:
If he progresses to his projections, he's going to be a silver slugger, gold glove, all-star SS…a steal.
6.       SS Gregg Hill (LAA)
Owner Comments:
A shortstop who will probably play another position in the majors. He has the potential to be a good, though not great, all around offensive producer. He does project to have the ability to play solid defense. I expected to gain more from my draft position; but, Hill will be solid.
hurricane384’s take:
He doesn't have the range to be a SS, but he can be a solid 3B who can hit some.
7.       SS Germany Fleming (CH2)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Quite possibly the steal of the draft, if Fleming develops properly, he'll compete with Lombard for the silver slugger and be a consistent all-star.
8.       P Bryan Dunham (CH2)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Chicago got a legit SS and a very good closer with back-to-back picks.
9.       SS Phillip Latham (LR)
Owner Comments:
Latham is a player capable of playing a great SS, who has the ratings to be a #2 hitter. He lacks power, but his contact and speed will make him a good OBP player,and could do some damage on the basepaths. Was he worthy of the #9 pick? Probably not. However, my scouting was extremely bad for both HS and College pitching, so I am happy to get him. I had him as my #2 player.
hurricane384’s take:

Continuing a dangerous run of SS, this guy should be very good as well. Should be an all-star.
10.   P Lance Gardner (NO)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Should develop into a #3 starter with #1/#2 potential.
11.   P Stuart Gorgen (CLE)
Owner Comments:
While Gorgen was picked by the previous GM, he is currently viewed as a hard worker with great control, good velocity, with a number of out pitches, should be a solid #2 starter and depending on his development could push for #1.
hurricane384’s take:
Will struggle against RHB, but should still be a good pitcher.
12.   2B Ed Hall (SEA)
Owner Comments:
He was my #4 overall, I didnt see many studs. Great range, below average glove. sold hitter.
hurricane384’s take:
Hall has good power, and will be good offensively. Not much of a defender.
13.   SS Shawn Roth (CSP)
Owner Comments:
The organization felt that we needed another top notch bat. As long as his glove develops, Shawn Roth will be a very good hitter at a premium position. You can't ask for more based on our draft position.
hurricane384’s take:
Good offensive player with good splits. He might be able to hold down SS if his offense develops.
14.   SS Nick Snow (ROC)
Owner Comments:
The Rochester front office will continue to undergo changes as the new owners look to clean up this organization.These changes will now carryover to our scouts and draft day personal after the selection of Nick Snow in the first round. Snow might make the ML roster someday as a defensive player but that is about it.We were hoping to land Stuart Gorgen or Ed Hall who were taken just a few picks earlier. The selection of Snow most certainly delayed the already slow turnaround here in Rochester.

hurricane384’s take:
Projects to be a solid 2B but definitely won't be playing SS.
15.   CF Francis Hutton (JAC)
Owner Comments:
Excellent speed, okay splits - it all comes down to how well he'll meet his projections...
hurricane384’s take:
Lacks the range for CF, but he's fast and solid offensively.
16.   SS Jack Jurrjens (FLA)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Good defensively, although he lacks a bit in glove. He's going to be a very good offensive SS.
17.   P Brent Harding (CLB)
Owner Comments:
I got the guy number five on my board. Best available impact player I could get and see. I am very happy to have my closer of the future…today.
hurricane384’s take:
Lacks great stamina, but should be able to come in and throw quite a few good innings.
18.   CF Bernie Shermann (NO)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Solid range with tremendous power and a good eye. Good speed. Interesting player.
19.   P Nathan May (LOU)
Owner Comments:
The #6 player on my board, I am excited to add May. He might not develop into an ace, but should definitely be a good pitcher for years to come. He will get lots of ground balls and limit walks, and that's all you can ask for in Louisville.
tk’s take:May has great control and above average splits which will be helped out by two great pitches.
20.   P Charlie Woods (LOU)
Owner Comments:
The #10 player on my board, he actually might turn out to be better than May. He'll be able to throw lots of innings. His vsR worries me some as well as the fact that he only has 3 pitches, but those pitches are good, so we shall see.
tk’s take:Woods is nearly similiar as he has great control and his first two pitches are excellent. He'll be more dominant against lefties than May perhaps.
21.   2B Amos Willis (TOR)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Projects to be a very good lead-off hitter who should be able to hold down 2B.
22.   P Heath Barney (NY2)
Owner Comments:
Well, at 22 I was pretty happy to get Heath Barney. While he does not project to have overpowering splits,they will be above average. When ready, he will throw 5 pitches with great control. His health and makeup are as good as it gets. He’s already pitching well at High A and I think he’ll be a good middle to back of the rotation guy at the ML level.
hurricane384’s take:
Lacks great splits, but definitely could make up for that by not walking many and having a couple very good pitches.
23.   P O.T. Gardner (PIT)
Owner Comments:
O.T. Gardner his stam and contol should be good along w/his splits. His pitches show some concern with only 1 good pitch. Hoping he can be a #3 starter.
hurricane384’s take:
Should be a good pitcher. Throws relatively hard and induces quite a few groundballs.
24.   2B Mitchell Franco (LV)
Owner Comments:
I hope he doesn't sign; still holding out asking $7M and that's all I have left. Risking him signing so that I can pick up a comp pick next season and use the money to sign the next two draft picks and maybe pick up a Int'l yet.
hurricane384’s take:
Should be a solid option at 2B while holding down the lead-off spot for seasons to come.
25.   P Alex Peters (ATL)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Not much of a pick here as my suspicion is that Atlanta is going for a compensatory pick next season.
26.   P Pat MacDougal (NB)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

May go onto college, but if he doesn't New Britain may have found themselves an anchor for their bullpen.
27.   C Ken Melancon (CHR)
Owner Comments:
Relatively happy considering the weakness of the draft combined with choosing so late in the first round. Should be a good hitting catcher…hopefully his PC progresses enough to warrant a shot behind the plate as we believe a great bat back there can overcome defensive inefficiencies
hurricane384’s take:
Although he doesn't have great durability, he should be a solid platoon option as well as a good play-off C.
28.   P Bryce Pierre (CHY)
Owner Comments:
With the 28th pick, the Gunslingers selected Bryce Pierre ,a reliever that will be able to eat some innings and should be almost impervious to injury. Our scouts see him as an 80 OVR rating with excellent control and 2 good pitches, which should suffice for bullpen work.
hurricane384’s take:
His splits aren't great, but he definitely should make for a solid option out of the pen.
29.   P Otis Walker (ATL)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Lacks great splits, but has the durability and stamina to be a real workhorse for a bullpen.
30.   CF Darren Simmons (OTT)
Owner Comments:
In an extremely weak draft, I was very happy to land Simmons whom I had ranked 9th overall in the draft. He is projected to be a gold glove CF with 90+ range andglove. Also, he has great speed and basestealing ability. His bat is rather pedestrian, but his defense and speed more than compensate. I think he will be a mainstay in CF for many years.
hurricane384’s take:
Solid defensive CF. Has tremendous speed and should be good enough offensively to make a difference.
31.   LF Lonny Tice (HON)
Owner Comments:
Really happy to get him that late in the first round…doesn't project to be a star, but should be at least an average regular on a playoff contender.
hurricane384’s take:
Solid offensively, he won't be a star, but definitely can contribute.
32.   P Domingo Lee (LR)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Doesn't have great splits, but won't walk many and should keep the ball in the park. Could be a workhorse.
33.   P Hal Tanner (JAC)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:

Terrible vsR but has a couple good pitches and won't walk many people.
34.   LF Rich Swift (CIN)
Owner Comments:
hurricane384’s take:
Tremendous get here…He's got solid offensive numbers including a great CON. Should be good.