Season 1 Draft Analysis

Round 1

2. Anaheim: Bob Krock, 1b (4/4/4 Stars)
Very solid choice, resisted the temptation of going with a pitcher and picked up the prize 1B prospect. Great speed (481) along with good starting stats give Krock every chance of becoming a very solid and possibly great player.

3. Tampa Bay: Carroll Albanese, SP (3/3/4 Stars)
A solid choice, got a rocket of an arm (490 FB) and has been clocked at close to 100 mph already at this early stage of his career. Will need to develop his other pitches to become a great pitcher but with good control can be a very good player.

4. Toronto: George Ortiz, SP (4/3/4 Stars)
Great pick here, doesn't throw as hard as Albanese but with a better breaking ball has the tools to become a top pitcher, can also work deep into games, pitch count won't be a problem for him.

5. Baltimore: Rankin Gaffke , OF (4/4/4 Stars)
Can't really argue with a 12 star prospect, OF is one of the deeper positions and at 21 and with mediocre starting stats (133AVG) he may take a while to be ML ready, however when he is he should be a very solid hitter.

6. Montreal: Lena Daubert, 2B (4/1/3 Stars)
Not a good pick here, he should hit well for average but with no power and low speed (293) there were many better players available, not only that but there were better 2B available if Montreal were looking to fill a gap in their farm.

7. Florida: Andy Mierkowicz, SP (2/2/4 Stars)
Another poor pick here, has an OK fastball (455) and can control it, but his other pitches are weak, and at 23 will be approaching 30 if he ever reaches the majors, if the Florida pitching coaches can work wonders on him he may be usable at the bottom of the rotation otherwise its occasional relief work for Mierkowicz at best.

8. Atlanta: Irv Fittery, SP (4/1/4 Stars)
Another flame throwing pitcher (494FB), with great control, also possesses a potentially great braking ball, however with a poor changeup he will need to rely on his other two pitches to get him through games. If his changeup develops a little he could be a solid pick, if not its wait and see.

9. Los Angeles: Jim Cooney, SP (4/4/3 Stars)
A good pick here, has a good fastball (471) and potential to have a full array of great pitches in the future, the only worry would be his control, if this can be dealt with in the minors than he has every chance of going on to great things, if not he should still have enough to get by, but might suffer the odd tough inning.

10. San Fransico: Mike Versalles, OF (4/4/3 Stars)
Solid power hitting OF here, not great speed (281) and at 23 wont be the youngest to hit the majors but never the less a solid pick.

11. Seattle: Steve Newhan, SP (4/3/4 Stars)
Another SP pick and another solid one, hasn't got an over powering fastball (407), but has good control and a good breaking ball, if he works on his change up he could be a solid mid rotation guy.

12. New York (A): Gary Hass, RP (4/4/4 Stars)
The first RP chosen and an interesting choice, there is no doubting he has potential to throw very good stuff and to control it, however with a 307 fastball wont be beating batters with his velocity, if he works hard on his pitches and learns how to mix them he could be a solid reliever, with good stamina (293) he could slot into a long relief role.

13. Arizona: Bob Wright, 2B (4/3/4 Stars) not signed currently
A solid pick here, has the potential to hit for some power as well as average, is young at 18 and has some speed (396), as stated before would have been a better choice for Montreal who picked a 2B earlier, still not been signed by the currently absent Arizona GM.

14. Kansas City: Ben Acosta, SP (3/4/3 Stars)
Once again a SP gets picked, Acosta has a solid fastball (457) and potential in his changeup, however he will need to work on his control and breaking ball to have a chance of succeeding at ML level.

15. Chicago (N): Slim Judge, 2B (4/4/2 Stars)
The 3rd 2B to go in the first round and probably the best, has amazing speed (499) and has the potential to hit for great power, a very solid pick up here.

16. Philadelphia: Fred Rodriquez, 2B (4/3/4 Stars)
Another 2B here, and while a solid enough player there were others available with better power, similar to Wright with a bit less speed (300), has potential but there were other options out their. If his power improves could be very good.

17. Milwaukee: Steve Hamlin, RP (4/2/4 Stars)
Second RP to go, a solid fastball (460) potential in his breaking ball and good control, if the changeup improves he could be a solid player, not great stamina (151) so not going to give you a lot of innings in a game but enough to get you through, with a limited choice at the position a decent pick.

18. Chicago (A): Joe Mcdevitt, SP (4/3/3 Stars)
Mcdevitt throws the ball hard (471FB), and with potential in his breaking ball could have two very affective pitches, however he needs to work hard at his changeup and his control to make it to ML level, with a bit of luck he could turn into a good pitcher, with the constant demand for SP and the lack of prospects in the draft Mcdevitt is probably worth the pick.

19. Detroit: Cam Gallagher, 2B (4/4/2 Stars)
Another solid 2B prospect picked in the first round, young at 17, doesn't have great speed (352) but not bad either. Again a solid pick at a deep position in this draft.

20. San Diego: Scoot Roof, RP (4/4/3 Stars)
Roof has a fair fastball (428), and can throw both a breaking ball and change up well, if he can improve his control Roof could be a very solid pitcher. A good pick

21. Cleveland: Lou Mccarty, SP (4/3/3 Stars)
A 426 fastball is not bad and Mccarty had potential in his braking ball, needs to develop his changeup and work on his control to achieve anything, Again the demand for SP makes this a reasonable pick.

22. Texas: Mike Tyson, OF (4/2/4 Stars)
Tyson had good speed (438) and could be a multi base hitter, however he does not possess the power potential of some of the OF that were still available at this stage, not a bad pick but maybe could have done better, OF is usually a deep position and to pick one in the first round who doesn't have great power potential is maybe not the best choice.

23. Minnesota: Fred Bass, C (4/4/1 Stars)
The first catcher to go in this years draft and a good pick, has very good speed (404) for a catcher, has potential to hit for average and power and at a crucial position could turn into a very wise pick.

24. Cincinnati: Birdie Humphrey, 2B (4/4/2 Stars)
Once again a solid 2B prospect, Humphrey can hit for power and average, does not possess much pace (297) but that wont matter if he's hitting the ball out of the park.

25. Colorado: Jim Criscola, 1B (4/2/3 Stars)
Not a great pick here, has good speed (459) but there were better options available, could still be a useful player for his average alone, but could have picked better in the first round.

26. Boston: Mike King, 2B (4/3/4 Stars)
Another 2B pick, lacks speed (257) but none the less has a chance to be a very solid player, a good pick.

27. Pittsburgh: Francisco Chapman, RP (4/3/4 Stars)
A 392 fastball lets Chapman down, he still has potential to achieve good things if his changeup develops with his breaking ball and control, possibly better choices available, has a chance though.

28. St. Louis: Ed Sexson, SS (4/4/1 Stars)
First SS taken and a solid one, was the best SS available and could develop into a good player, lack of speed (282) the only draw back, solid pick at a fairly weak position.

29. Dennis Whitton, 1B (4/4/1 Stars)
Nice pick here, is young at 17 and could break into the majors at a very young age, reasonable speed (393) a solid pick.

30. Houston: Jack Hackett, RP (4/1/4 Stars)
The last pick of the first round and my first pick, has a very strong arm (495FB) and good breaking ball and control, never going to be a great RP due to his lack of changeup, however considering what was available and what had already gone a reasonable pick.

Round 1 Roundup
Picks Per Position:
SP: 10
RP: 5
C: 1
1B: 3
2B: 7
3B: 0
SS: 1
OF: 3
Best Pick: George Ortiz probably the best pitcher available and went in the 4th pick.
Worst Pick: Andy Mierkowicz with a high pick there were better available, can't see him doing much.
Overall: Half of the picks were for pitchers which is to be expected, those who resisted early picked up some prize hitting prospects, a few not great picks in their but nothing completely disastrous.

Round 2

32. Anaheim: Doug Zuverink, OF (4/3/3)
Another OF this time a better choice, is young at 17 and has a chance to develop some useful power, again not a lot of speed (255) so will not be a SB threat but could develop into a solid pick.

33. Tampa Bay: Deacon Heath, 3B (4/3/2)
Heath is young at 17 and has some speed (363), probably the best 3B prospect left at this stage and so a solid pick, there were power hitting prospects still available at other positions however can't argue with the pick to fill a need at 3B.

34. Toronto: Spec Murphy, 1B (4/3/3)
Solid pick here, has some speed (321) and is young at 18, also gives depth to Toronto's minor league roster at 1B, with a bit of luck to turn out very solid.

35. Baltimore: Dave Balas, OF (4/4/1)
Nice choice here, in my opinion a better prospect then Rosen who went earlier in the round, not much speed (252) but with power potential a solid pick.

36. Montreal: Jim Hart, 1B (4/1/1)
Not a great pick here, there were two better 1B available at this stage, has good speed (422) and so may have some value as a leadoff hitter, not a total disaster but could have done better.

37. Florida: Bill Tremel, SP (2/3/4)
A risky pick here, Tremel can throw a decent fastball (443), however his other pitches are not great, especially his breaking ball, however due to the lack of SP talent this year Tremel was pretty much the best SP left in the draft, will need a lot of luck to develop into a decent pitcher, maybe a more solid hitter would have been the safer bet, but then if Tremel overachieves it will turn out to be a very good pick.

38. Atlanta: Len Lane, 3B (4/3/1)
Lane runs well (466) and has potential for some power, a solid pick that also gives some needed quality to Atlanta's 3B prospects lower in their organization.

39. Los Angeles: Victor Rodgers, 3B (4/3/1)
Similar to Lane, Rodgers runs extremely well (498) and like Lane for Atlanta will add quality lower in the L.A organization, not a lot between the two picks, Rodgers with a slight edge due to his amazing pace.

40. San Francisco: Bob Holbrook, C (4/4/1)
Very solid pick, Holbrook gives San Fran a much needed C on their A roster, Holbrook can hit for power and average, a good pick all round.

41. Seattle: Donnie Lyon, C (4/2/4)
A fair enough pick, adds depth to Seattle's farm system, Hearn who was chosen two picks later may have been a better choice but no real argument here.

42. New York (A): Jim Orosco RP (4/4/3)
A risk here, with a below par fastball (396) and a doubt over Orosco's ability to control the ball he may turn out to be a poor pick, however if he can get over his control problems and improve his potentially impressive breaking ball and chnageup then he has a shot at being a solid reliever.

43. Arizona: William Hearn, C (4/3/3)
A nice pick gives quality to their farm system and has potential to achieve very good things, if he improves his power hitting then could turn out very nicely.

44. Kansas City: Fred Norman, OF (4/4/1)
Norman doesn't run well (260) but hits the ball hard, a solid pick, gives KC a power hitting OF prospect that they were missing lower in the organization.

45. Chicago (N): Jack Bieser , 1B (4/3/2)
Chicago again filling a need here and filling it well, Bieser has a lot of speed (472) and some power, a nice pick.

46. Philadelphia: Fred Clemens, OF (4/3/3)
Clemens doesn't have great speed (256) so wont be a base running threat, however everything else looks solid, and with hard work he could turn out very well for Philly.

47. Milwaukee: Foster Lopez, RP (3/4/3)
With a good fastball (476) and a changeup with lots of potential Lopez could be a good pick, his control and changeup need work for him to succeed bit could well be worth the risk, an infield prospect may have been the safer move to fill gaps in their A roster but Lopez does have potential.

48. Chicago (A): Jim Barthelson, 2B (4/2/4)
Barthelson again fills a need for Chicago's A roster, wont hit for much power but has ability to find the gap and has some speed (358) a decent pick.

49. Detroit: George Robertson, RP (3/4/3)
Very similar to Lopez, fastball has slightly less on it (461) but still enough to beat the bat, didn't have any hitter gaps to fill in his roster and so could turn out well for Detroit.

50. San Diego: Charlie Vanryn, RP (4/4/3)
If Vanryn threw harder (413FB) then he could have been a great pick, as it is he is still a good one, has potential in his breaking ball and changeup, needs to work on his control but has a chance to achieve well at ML level.

51. Cleveland: Clyde Drake, SP (4/2/4)
A poor pick, Drake has a poor arm (314FB) and although he can spot his pitches and throws a good breaking ball, his changeup is poor, Cleveland have not yet signed Drake and I doubt they will, a wasted pick.

52. Texas: Frank Clark, C (4/2/3)
Fast for a catcher (400), can find the gap fairly well, however Texas already have two decent Catching prospects, and maybe a different infield position may have been the better choice.

53. Minnesota: John Gaston, 1B (4/2/2)
Gaston has very good speed (478), and definitely fill a gap for Minnesota in their farm system, a wise pick here going for what the team needed.

54. Cincinnati: Jim Dailey, 2B (4/1/2)
Dailey has great pace (494), that said Cinci are deep at 2B and maybe could have looked for a different position, that said they are pretty deep everywhere in their A roster so with his speed Dailey could be a nice leadoff hitter in the future.

55. Colorado: Sarge Telford, SP (3/3/3)
A big risk with possible big returns, has a good fastball (475) its now down to the pitching coaches to work hard on his other pitches and control, only time will tell with Telford.

56. Boston: Ed Head, RP (4/4/3)
Head has a weak below average fastball (392), which could be his downfall, his other pitches have potential but his control needs work, has potential but may struggle if he reaches the majors.

57. Pittsburgh: Judge Shearon, SP (4/2/4)
A bad pick here, Shearon has a poor fastball (369), although his breaking ball and control are good, he has a weak changeup and I can't see him reaching ML level, surprised Pittsburgh even signed him, only hope is that his good pitches develop into excellent ones.

58. St. Louis: Dante Messa, RP (3/3/4)
Only a 392 fastball, has good control but needs to improve his other pitches to get to ML level, has a chance but may end up struggling.

59. Oakland: Cesar Monteleone, OF (4/3/1)
Loads if speed (497) and some potential for power, a nice pick here with limited options.

60. Houston: Ray Freigau, C (4/3/2)
Final pick of the round, gives me a young Catching prospect, again a reasonable pick.

Round 2 Roundup
Picks per position:
SP: 4
RP: 6
C: 5
1B: 4
2B: 2
3B: 3
SS: 0
OF: 6
Best Pick: Bob Holbrook fills a need for San Fran and has lots of potential.
Worst Pick: Clyde Drake not yet signed and unlikely to be so, a wasted pick.
Overall: Most teams picked well enough, with the majority looking to fill gaps in their roster, a good round overall.

Round 3

61. New York (N): Jimmy Ritter, OF (4/2/4)
Again had gone for less power and valued Ritters ability to find the gap, has average speed (329), a fair pick, already at this stage the talent pool is severely depleted so this is not a bad pick.

62. Anaheim: Curt Stowers, OF (4/3/2)
At 23 Stowers is one of the eldest players in the draft, he has ok speed (357) and also has power hitting ability, he wont be the youngest to hit the majors but when he gets their he will be a solid player.

63. Tampa Bay: Ray Williams, SP (1/4/4)
A bad pick here, Williams has a 376 fastball and his breaking ball is very weak, he does have a good changeup and can spot his pitches, however its not good enough to spot the pitches when only one of them is effective, short of a miracle Williams wont get anywhere close to the majors, his future lies in the NL.

64. Toronto: Gary Steainecke, OF (4/3/2)
Very similar player to Stowers, is not the youngest but hits the ball well, has better speed then Stowers (420), again not going to be the youngest ML rookie when he gets their but will be solid.

65. Baltimore: George Just, 3B (4/3/1)
Nice pick for Baltimore, Just gives them the young 3B that was missing from their farm, has power potential and a good eye, doesn't have great speed (289), but I fell that he will get by despite that and be a decent player.

66. Montreal: Bud Mikkelson, RP (3/4/3)
A risk here, a 360 fastball and a breaking ball which needs some work is not the best start, add to that his slight control problems and Mikkelson may struggle, however if he works hard and his changeup is effective he could be a useful player, Mikkelson was not the best RP available but he has some potential.

67. Florida: Bill Lee, SP (2/4/3)
With a 418 fastball Lee is a risk, he has shown a good changeup but needs a lot of work on his breaking ball and control, if he can learn to spot his pitches then he has a shot at making the majors as a lower end starter.

68. Atlanta: Keith Nelson, OF (4/2/3)
Nelson makes contact well and has good speed (418), the power isn't their but still a solid pick.

69. Los Angeles: Marcus Donaldson, 2B (4/3/2)
Smart pick here, LA. needed a young 2B and have got a good one in Donaldson, he can hit for average and has also shown some signs of power.

70. San Francisco: Paul Green, OF (3/4/4)
The first non 4star avg hitter taken, Green has potential, he has shown that he can find the gap and hit with power, the question is can he make contact enough to put his power to use, if he can then Green will be a very solid player.

71. Seattle: Doc Goggin, C (4/2/2)
Seattle take their second catcher here with Goggin, this gives them two solid prospects in their A roster, Goggin who can also play at first base does not have much speed (214), however he does make contact well and could end up serving as Seattle's back up catcher in the future, if he works hard Goggin could get regular PT in the future.

72. New York (A): Elmar Nichols, OF (3/4/4)
Another player here who has lots of potential but will need to work hard on his swing to achieve anything, Nichols doesn't make contact enough, if he can change that he has a shot at becoming a very solid player.

73. Arizona: Wally Gange, C (4/1/4)
Gange makes contact well and can find the gap, however with speed of 247 he may struggle to exploit that ability, Gange gives Arizona a 2nd solid catcher in their A organisation.

74. Kansas City: Chuck Keefe, OF (4/3/1)
Keefe runs well (411) and can hit for some power, if that power develops well then Keefe could be an excellent pick.

75. Chicago (N): Fred Lansford, OF (4/2/2)
Lansford predominately hits for average, he wont give you many homers, however with great speed (474) he will be a threat on the base path, possible leadoff hitter of the future.

76. Philadelphia: John Thomas, RP (4/3/3)
Similar to Mikkelson, Thomas has a below average fastball (376), he has a good breaking ball, but needs to work on his changeup and locating his pitches, has potential but will need some luck to reach the majors.

77. Milwaukee: Tony Schenz, RP (2/4/4)
A 393 fastball is almost acceptable, and Schenz can spot his pitches well, he also possesses a good changeup, however his breaking ball is not good and it will be a stretch for him to reach the majors with only one truly good pitch.

78. Chicago(A): Hub Durham, SP (2/4/3)
Durham has an average at best fastball (404) and a poor breaking ball, he does posses a good changeup but has had some control problems, Durham has great stamina but if he leaves his pitches up it wont matter how long he can last he simply wont make the grade.

79. Detroit: Craig Goetz, 1B (4/2/3)
Goetz makes contact well and is young at 18, doe not have much power but has shown some ability to find the gap. Goetz is a nice pick for Detroit giving them a solid young 1B.

80. San Diego: John A Shaffer, RP (4/1/4)
Shaffer will struggle, his fastball is borderline at 399, he does have a good breaking ball and can locate it well, however his changeup is very weak, I cant see Shaffer getting far, there were better choices available.

81. Cleveland: Dolly Hagerman, RP (3/2/4)
Hagerman was one of those still available that were better, he had a good fastball (469), and can control it, his changeup is not good but it is not totally useless, likewise his breaking ball which needs work but could become and effective pitch, a better choice here.

82. Texas: Bob Scmidt, OF (4/1/1)
Schmidt has great speed (493), which is a good thing because he slaps the ball well but not a lot else, potentially a good leadoff hitter with potential to steal bases, don't expect any home runs from him and you wont be disappointed.

83. Minnesota: Carl Deckar, 3B (4/2/2)
A good pick, Deckar does not have great speed or power but he makes contact well which is something Minnesota had been missing in their farm system at A level.

84. Cincinnati: Ray Bankston, SS (4/2/1)
Adds depth and youth to their A roster, has some speed (371), and makes contact.

85. Colorado: Red Winters, RP (3/4/3)
Red throws a good fastball (450) and has potential in his changeup, although his breaking ball and control need work he does have the potential to achieve a lot.

86. Boston: Dorsey Porcell, RP (3/3/4)
With a 320 fastball Porcell has a lot of work to do to reach the majors, although he can spot his pitches that wont help if he doesn't improve the quality of them.

87. Pittsburgh: Steve Kazanski, RP (2/3/4)
Kazanski can control his 455 fastball well, there is some potential in his changeup but his breaking ball is not good, if he works hard on his pitches Zazanski has a chance to play some part at ML level.

88. St. Louis: Mike Sullivan, RP (2/3/4)
Very Similar to Kazanski, Sullivan has a slightly better fastball (471), again if he works on his other pitches he has a chance to be a useful RP.

89. Oakland: Ralph Fitzgerald, RP (2/4/4)
Another RP but Fitzgerald will struggle, he has good control but the only pitch to go with it is his changeup, a sub par fastball (374) and a poor breaking ball means he is unlikely to achieve to much, he does have a chance but it will mean having great control over his breaking ball to be of any use.

90. Houston: Joe Silva, OF (4/2/1)
Not lots available at this stage, however there were players with decent speed available and Silva was not one of them, I could have chosen better here.

Round 3 Roundup
Picks Per Position:
SP: 3
RP: 10
C: 2
1B: 1
2B: 1
3B: 2
SS: 1
OF: 10
Best Pick: Red Winters, whether this was a good pick by Colorado or bad picking previously is debatable, either way Winters went a lot later than he could have considering the number of RP taken this round.
Worst Pick: Ray Williams, a one pitch pitcher, Williams is unlikely to achieve anything.
Overall: Teams switched to picking RP and OF this round, those who didn't were filling needs and generally did it well, the RP went because the SP had more or less gone, however there were a lot of risks taken, many of the RP taken are by no means certain to even reach the majors. The OF's were picked because of the depth at that position, most of them were fair enough picks.