With the 1st round complete and still fresh in our minds. Lets break down the selections. For fun we are going to rate each pick and give some of the upside or downside to the selection.

Sure we were all surprised when this guys name was called first, but why? He's only 26, and lefty power pitchers are hard to come bye. With 5 pitches in his arsenal (Change, Curve, Slider, Four Seam, Two Seam), its easy to see why he racked up 238 K's last year.

Downside: The lone drawback to his pitching style is that he throws a lot of pitches, making complete games a rarity. Only 4 in 108 career starts.

Upside: Young, Left-Handed K-type pitcher, strong competitor.

Draft Grade: A (maybe an A+ if he was selected anywhere but 1st overall)

There was no surprise with this selection. With seasonal averages of .332 201 hits, 41 HR's, 127 RBI's, and a 1.037 OPS, Albert is quite possibly the best and most conistent hitter in the game right now. He also has some decent range in the field, unlike alot of MLB first baggers.

Upside: Maybe nothing sums up Albert Pujols better than the company he keeps. He has 504 career RBI's over his first four seasons. The only other players with over 500 RBI's in their first four seasons were Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio.

Down Side: Below average speed, history of foot problems.

Draft Grade: A+ (an A+ at any draft positon)

The Seawolves grabbed arguably the 2nd best 1B man in the majors based on last years performances. Derek Lee has always been a good player but 2005 was a breakout season for him with career highs in hits (199), average (.335), HR's (47), RBI's (107). He has good hands and good range in the field.

Upside: Playing in Wrigley Field should keep his HR totals up.

Down Side: Seems to loose some steam as the season goes on, Pre-All Star Break .378 27 HRs 72 RBI's, Post-All Star Break .287, 19 HR 35 RBI's.

Draft Grade: A (at worst a 20 HR 80 RBI type for a few seasons)

The New York Remolinos decide to stop the run on sluggers and select the second pitcher in EBL draft history, Jake Peavy. At 24 Peavy is already made himself the ace of the Padres rotation. He led the NL in K's (216) in 2005 despite missing some starts down the stretch with some shoulder pain.

Upside: Strong competitor (pitched with a broken rib in the NLDS), only 24 and already an Ace.

Down Side: Injuries, sore shoulder, broken rib. Might see his ERA rise with the talk of Petco bringing in the right-centerfield fence from 411 to 395 feet.

Draft Grade: B+ (an A if he shakes the injury bug)

The surprise here is not the selection of Alex Rodriguez, but the fact that he dropped down to be available at 5th overall. The beauty of this pick is that A-Rod is rated at third and shortstop (despite only seeing 6 innings at SS). With seasonal averages of .307 193 hits, 44 HR's, 145 RBI's and add in 23 SB's, making him a threat at the plate and on the base paths.

Upside: A potential 40 HR 40 SB man, arguably the best all-around player in baseball.

Down Side: Being in Yankee Stadium has hurt is extra basehit percentage.

Draft Grade: A+ (the first steal of the draft)

Atlanta grabs something rare at the number 6 slot, a switch hitting power hitter in Mark Teixeira. He has the ablilty to hit to all fields and is showing some maturity as his walk totals has increased while his strikeout totals have decreased since his rookie campaign.

Upside: He will just turn 26 in April and plays in a ballpark suited for his swing. He was drafted as a third baseman so a possible move to 3rd in the future could make him even more valuable.

Down Side: Although he's a switch hitter he loses alot of his power when hitting from the right side of the plate. He had only 6 HR's from the right side compared to a whopping 37 from the left last season.

Draft Grade: A (could be a 40 HR 120 RBI man for years to come)

Canton grabs the versatile young phenom Miguel Cabrera in the number 7 slot. In his 2nd season Cabrera just missed joining a select list of hitters to bat .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBI at 21 or younger. Those who have: Mel Ott, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Ted Williams, Eddie Mathews, Hal Trosky and Jimmie Foxx. With the ability to hit for power to all fields scouts categorize him as a definate impact player.

Upside: Only 22 years old, strong arm, can play the outfield and third base.

Down Side: Playing on the new look Marlins may allow opposing pitchers to pitch around him more, especially if those behind him in the batting order begins to struggle.

Draft Grade: A (being on a young Marlins team could affect his numbers)

The Grasshoppers grab the drafts first true third baseman in David Wright. Wright can hit the ball to all fields, without sacrificing both power and average. He has a knack for getting big hits, and his power should increase as he matures. Wright is a solid fielder with an above-average arm.

Upside: Only 22 years old, already showing signs of patience at the plate, consistently works deep into counts.

Down Side: Lacks blazing speed, caught 7 times out of 24 stolen base attempts last season.

Draft Grade: A (a possible .300 30 HR and 100 RBI type)

Seems like a lot of risk grabbing a young righthander who's only the tender age of 19. But Felix "The King" Hernandez may be no ordinary pitcher. Hernandez throws a mid-90's fastball and a power curveball that's close to unhittable, mix in his solid change-up and some say he might be the best 19 year old pitcher since Dwight Gooden. Perhaps it was early but Streetsville feel they got their man.

Upside: Only 19, and with comparisons to being better than Dwight Gooden was in his early years, could be a 15 game winner and over 200 K guy for years.

Down Side: He's 19 and a pitcher, and we've all heard this story before, can someone say Ryan Anderson?

Draft Grade: C+ (if he comes anywhere close to the hype its an A)

Perhaps the riskiest pick in the entire first round. The Railsplitters took the rather plump son of Cecil, Prince Fielder. It can be argued the Brewers are taking the same risk after moving Lyle Overbay in a trade in order to make room for the 6 foot 260 pound 21 year old. He has torn through the minors hitting a whopping 90 HR's in only 448 games (almost 1 HR every 5 games).

Upside: 21 years old and has major power, runs in the family.

Down Side: Poor speed due to his weight, a history of struggling against left handed pitching.

Draft Grade: C- (Too big a risk this early in the draft)

With a mini-run on extreme youth, the Islanders elected to go young but proven with the 2nd lefty chosen in the draft, 23 year-old Dontrelle Willis. The "D-Train" is coming off his nastiest of his 3 MLB seasons, just missing out on winning the NL Cy Young. As impressive is his 46 wins and career 3.27 ERA is, Dontrelle is a guy you don't want to pitch to either. Not an easy out at the plate with 3 career HR's, and is often used as a pinch hitter on his off days.

Upside: Only 23 years old, two low 90's fastballs mixed with a nasty slider keeps batters offbalance.

Down Side: Playing for a young Marlins team could force him to force him to over-pitch.

Draft Grade: A (young, power lefty, every GM wishes they had one)

At the half-way point of the 1st round, Manhattan elects to stay away from a "project" type selection and instead goes with perhaps the majors youngest workhorse Carlos Zambrano. He's coming off 3 straight season of 200 plus innings pitched, while maintaining a career 3.26 ERA. If Zambrano continues the trend of cutting his walks and raising his strikeouts a Cy Young could be in his future.

Upside: Only 24 years old, and seems to be maturing as a pitcher.

Down Side: Sometimes gets over emotional on the mound, usually causes him in to have control problems.

Draft Grade: A (200+ IP's with a possibility of 200+ K's)

Often talked about more for his fielding ability, Carolina decided to grab Andruw Jones after coming off his most impressive season at the plate. Despite hitting 4 points below his career batting average of .267, Andruw managed to hammer and MLB best 51 HR's. A career 30 HR 100 RBI type hitter combined with the type of extraordinary defense he can provide in centerfield is hard to find.

Upside: It's possible that Andruw has peaked. But he is still only 28.

Down Side: Low average and still strikes out way too much, often mails in games.

Draft Grade: B+ (the power and defense is nice, but the average is lacking)

The last of the EBL's five Canadian owners decides to be the first to grab some home grown talent with their selection of Jason Bay. The young Canadian took Rookie of the Year honours in 2004, being the first Pirate ever to win that award. Good power, hits to all fields and has started to become a solid threat on the basepaths.

Upside: Only 26 years old. A potential .300 30 HR 100 RBI and 20 SB type for years to come.

Down Side: Weak arm in the field. No real protection in the Pirates line-up could lead to a drop in HR and RBI numbers.

Draft Grade: A (only knock is "HE IS" the Pirates offense)

With the 15th pick Vahalla wanted a winner, and that's just what the got in Roy Oswalt. Since breaking into the league in 2001 Oswalt has done nothing but win, including back-to-back 20 win seasons in 2004 and 2005. They also got an ace with fantastic control and career ERA of 3.10, not bad for a guy coming through in the juiced ball era.

Upside:He should just be entering his prime years as an ace as he's only 28 years old. A few more 20-win seasons should be in his future.

Down Side:In a recent issue of ESPN Magazine, Oswalt has talked about a 10-year plan of playing and then maybe walking away ala Sandy Koufax. Only 5 seasons left?

Draft Grade: A (only a trip to the DL could lower that grade)

The Houston Batkats shocked the collective baseball world with this pick. It was so far out of left field Mark Ellis wasn't even at the draft to put on the jersey. Mark Ellis's agent didn't even have his phone on during Day 1 (the first Rd of the draft). That being said Ellis coming off a very nice season, is a slick fielder with good range, but being selected 16th overall is a major stretch.

Upside: He is coming off career highs and is still on the right side of 30.

Down Side: No history of being an impact player, not a power guy and not a threat on the basepaths.

Draft Grade: F (too much talent on the board to justify this pick)

A complete steal at this point of the draft. Vladimir has done nothing but straight out mash during his MLB career. Ten straight seasons of hitting over .300, 7 seasons of 30+ HR and 100+ RBI's. Any Team would love to build their franchise around him. A good fielder with a rocket of an arm. A true 5-tool player in every sense of the word.

Upside: For a guy that swings at everything, he's a career .324 hitter and only averages 75 strikeouts per season. Still hits for power to all fields.

Down Side: Seems to have have gotten away from stealing bases, he's not so young anymore at age 30.

Draft Grade: A+ (This guy can just flat out play)

The 2nd second baseman selected in the draft but by far the better ot the two. The 26 year old has excellent range at 2nd base and isn't afraid to get dirty to make a play. Displays good power versus lefties and righties but still struggles to be consistent against lefties. Not afraid to grab an extra base or steal one at the appropriate times. Posesses very good plate discipline for a young player.

Upside: Only 26 and loves to get dirty to make a play. Could be a 30 HR 100 RBI guy for many years.

Down Side: Style of play could lead to injuries. Struggles against lefties.

Draft Grade: A (solid pick up the middle)

The Wolves select the first true SS in the draft in Miguel Tejada. The combination of power and great defense was too good pass up this late in the draft. A homerun type hitter that just does not strike out very much is something every GM wishes for. Playing in Baltimore gives him the potential for another monstrous type season like in 2004 when had smacked 34 HR's and drove in 150 RBI's.

Upside: Not much upside. He's shown that he can consistently be a .300 25 HR 100 RBI shortstop. What more could you ask for?

Down Side: Perhaps on the start of his decline as he turns 30 this upcoming season. Being unhappy in Baltimore could lead to lower #'s accros the board.

Draft Grade:A - (in his prime right now)

The Highlanders go with a youthfull pick in selecting 22 year old catcher Joe Mauer. A guy that can flatout hit, combine that with a rocket arm and he makes for a great start for your team behind the plate. Able to hit to all fields, doesn't strikeout much at all and shows he knows the value of the walk.

Upside: Only 22 years old, already shows he can hit big league pitching consistently, superb plate discipline for such a young player.

Down Side: Not much power, we can't see him hitting more then 20 HR's in a season.

Draft Grade: A+ (on his way to be the best catcher in the majors)

New York grabs the charimatic outfielder Manny Ramirez. Manny can just flatout hit and is perhaps the best complete hitter in the majors. He's had at least 30 HR's and 100 RBI's in 11 of his last 12 seasons. Not much of a fielder and is often distracted while playing the field.

Upside: Not much upside at 33 years old but he isn't showing any signs of delcine at the plate.

Down Side: Manny being Manny! Takes the occasional game off, often a liability in the field. Easily distracted.

Draft Grade: A (Manny at times needs to avoid being Manny)

Captain Clutch! Mr. Game-Winning Homerun! Scottsdale grabs a good one at 22 with David Ortiz. A late bloomer of sort David Ortiz has turned himself into one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball. When the game is on the line and you need a run to tie or to take the lead, Ortiz more often than not comes through.

Upside: This guy is getting even more clutch by the minute.

Down Side: Power numbers may start to drop if pitchers finally start to pitch around this guy.

Draft Grade: A

Paris elected to grab themselves a speedy leadoff man in Rafael Furcal. Lots a speed and a great glove with great range at shrotstop made him attractive enough for Paris. The only question mark is his age, its been a long time debate ever since Furcal arrived in the majors that it isn't documented anywhere what his actual age is.

Upside: Not much upside here, he gets on base and steals bases, as well is sloid defensively. He won't be more than a 15 HR guy in a season.

Down Side: How old is this guy? He says he's 27 but the baseball community thinks he's much older. Who knows?

Draft Grade: B (not sure taking him over an availlable Derek Jeter was a good move)

With the last pick of the 1st round Tulsa made it count by selecting the 2005 National League Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter. A good heavy fastball combined with a nasty curveball makes him at times quite unhittable. Has learned that throwing strikes and not walking batters leads to success.

Upside: A pitcher that is finding his groove and could be a 20 game winner and Cy Young threat for the next few years in St. Louis.

Down Side: History of arm troubles, staying healthy could be a problem.

Draft Grade: A + (getting a Cy Young winner here is a nice pick)