2018                                                                                                              

BASEBALL TODAY AND TOMORROW                                                                                                                                               

Amsterdam

Round                  Position                              Player                        PIP Grade                                                                      

1                                 P                            Parker Bridwell                            3.6                                                                        

2                                 P                            Corey Knebel                               X                                                                             

2                                 C                            Austin Barnes                              3.4                                                                         

5                                OF                          Aaron Hicks                                  3.6                                                                         

6                               UTI                          Adam Frazier                               3.1                                                                         

8                               UTI                          Yolmer Sanchez                          2.8                                                                         

9                                1B/P                      Brendan McKay UC                    3.0                                                                        

10                              P                             Hunter Greene UC                      2.8                                                                        

15                              C                             Omar Narvaez                             3.0                                                                                                                                                              

Amsterdam with the first pick of the draft selected starting pitcher Parker Bridwell (BZ) he certainly helps the starting rotation and hopefully he can repeat that performance going forward. In round two they drafted relief pitcher Corey Knebel and catcher Austin Barnes (.894OPS) he and Molina will share catching duties. Their outfield already one of the best in baseball was made even stronger with fifth round pick Aaron Hicks. (.847OPS) all but Upton are under 30 years of age. The corner infield is set but the middle infield needs help and that’s where they hope prospects Adam Frazier (.743OPS) in the 7th round and Yolmer Sanchez (.732OPS) drafted in the 8th will provide help next year. We like Frazier. In the 9th they selected uncarded prospect  P/1B Brendan McCay the jury is still out on his position but we feel he’ll end up pitching.  Another uncarded player was selected in round 10 pitcher Hunter Greene he’s 18 years old so it will be a few years before he can contribute if at all. The Bulldogs hope 15th round selection catcher Omar Narvaez (.713OPS) will be their catcher of the future.

The Bulldogs are a vastly improved ball club going into the 2018 season. They sport a .863 OPS with plenty of depth to mix and match their lineup with their opponents. The pitching will be their Achilles heel as it is for most clubs this year. However, their bullpen is much weaker than most which will become an even bigger issue as the season progresses. Rizzo, Upton and Harper provide the pop. The rotation is anchored by Paxton (BZ) and Birdwell (BZ) but they have limited innings.  Amsterdam has some nice young players in their minor leagues with starting pitcher Koepch the closest to helping the parent club. The lack of pitching especially in the bullpen puts them in the lower tier of the division. That being said, there is enough talent on their roster that if it all comes together next year will be a different story.  PIP 3.16

 

Brooklyn

Round                  Position                              Player                        PIP Grade                                                                      

1                                 P                            Mike Minor                                  X                                                                             

3                                 P                            CC Sabathia                                 3.5                                                                         

4                                 P                            Patrick Corbin                              3.1                                                                         

4                                 P                            Shane Greene                              X                                                                             

6                                 P                            Eric Sogard                                  3.2                                                                          

7                                SS                           Ketel Marte                                 3.0                                                                          

8                                P                             Walker Buehler                           3.1                                                          

9                                P                             AJ Puk  UC                                    3.3                                                                        

10                              P                             Dinelson  Lamet                          2.9          

 

Brooklyn started their draft by selecting reliever Mike Minor in the first round. The aging CC Sabathia (B) in the third round along with fourth round pick Patrick Corbin (C) fill out the starting rotation. The Met’s had a second pick in the 4th and they drafted reliever Shane Greene. The biggest weakness on the ball club is their middle infield. Scotter Gannett (2B6) hurts defensively so he’ll probably end up as the DH. They drafted Eric Sogard (.771OPS) in the sixth round and shortstop Ketel Marte (.750OPS) in the 7th to shore up the middle for this year. Brooklyn does have some very good looking infield prospects on their 40 man roster and one of them should claim the second base position full time next year they also hope shortstop Addison Russell can bounce back to reclaim the shortstop position next year. In the 8th round they took starting pitcher Walker Buehler (DW) he got a taste of the big show last year and is highly regarded. Prized pitching prospect AJ Puk was drafted in the 9th round and is having a nice spring. The Met’s ended their draft with starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet (DW) he’ll have to harvest his control to contribute next year.

The Met’s reigning champions of the ZSABL will look to defend their championship with a weaker starting rotation but an improved offense and a very deep bullpen. Goldschmidt, Rendon and Springer provide the pop with Carrasco (BZ), Sabathia (B) and Hill (B) anchoring the rotation. With such a deep bullpen and improved offense the Metropolitans have a very good chance to keep the trophy in Brooklyn. PIP 3.16                

 

Las Vegas

Round                  Position                              Player                        PIP Grade                                                                      

1                                 P                            Archie Bradley                             X                                                                             

1                                 1B                         Eric Thames                                 3.6                                                                         

2                                 P                            Blake Parker                                X                                                                             

3                                 P                            Chase Anderson                          3.3                                                                         

3                                OF                          Bradley Zimmer                           3.2                                                          

5                                OF                          Kyle Tucker UC                            3.3                                                                         

6                                P                             Forrest Whitley UC                     3.2                                                                         

7                                3B                          Christian Arroyo                          3.1                                                                         

8                                P                             Mackenzie Gore UC                   3.0                                                                         

9                                SS                           Royce Lewis UC                          3.2                                                                         

10                             1B                           Yonder Alonso                             3.4                                                                         

11                             C                              Sean Murphy UC                         3.0                                                                         

12                             OF                           Lane Adames                               2.8                                                       

Vegas had two first round picks and started with relief pitcher Archie Bradley followed by slugger Eric Thames (.877OPS). Round two added more relief pitching in Blake Parker. The Crazy Horse filled their final rotation spot with third round pick Chase Anderson (B). Then came a slew of prospects starting with outfielders Bradley Zimmer and Kyle Tucker followed by starting pitcher Forrest Whitley (P) in the 6th round. Next came Christian Arroyo, Mackenzie Gore and Royce Lewis. Wow! They snatched first baseman Yonder Alonso (.866) in the 10th round and he’ll find a starting gig as the DH. They drafted uncarded catcher Sean Murphy in round eleven(we like it) and ended their draft with outfielder Lane Adams (807OPS) in the 12th.

Las Vegas did their homework well, grading out with one of the best drafts of the day. The offense is led by JD Martinez, Freddie Freeman and newly acquired Thames. They should have no problem putting runs on the board. The starting rotation is the best in baseball with Kubler (AZ) Sale (BZ) and Severino (BZ) leading the way. Their bullpen is not as deep as some but adequate none the less. The Crazy Horse sport the second highest OPS (.870) in the Eastern Division. Look for Vegas to battle it out atop the Eastern division race.

PIP 3.19

 

 

 

 

MAINE                                                                                                          

Round                  Position               Player                                PIP Grade

1                                 P                            Lance Lynn                                  3.6                                                                       

2                                 P                            Matt Albers                                  X                                                                             

3                                 P                            Dominic Leone                            X                                                                             

4                                 P                            Ryan Tepera                                X                                                                             

5                                 P                            Joe Kelly                                       X                                                                             

6                                 P                            Craig Stammen                            X                                                                             

7                                 P                            Danny Barnes                              X                                                                             

8                                 2B                         Jed Lowrie                                    3.3                                                                         

9                                 C                            Martin Maldonado                    2.5                                                                          

10                               P                            Hoby Milner                                 X                                                                              

11                               1B                         Joe Mauer                                    3.3                                                                         

12                               OF                         Jeremy Hazelbaker                     2.6                                                                         

13                               OF                         Jon Jay                                          2.9                                                                         

14                               OF                         Jarrod Dyson                               2.5                                                                         

15                               UTI                        Howie Kendrick                           3.3

Maine came into the draft with one thing on their agenda pitching, as they drafted 7 pitchers with their first 7 picks. The Maui’s first pick was starting pitcher Lance Lynn (B) followed by six relief pitchers. They will need each and every one of them as the starting pitching staff logged a total of only 766 innings. In the eighth round they selected their first fielding player Jed Lowrie (808OPS) who will see playing time at second base. Catcher Maldanodo was drafted in the 9th and other than defense he brings nothing to the table and will see little playing time. The 10th round added more relief help followed by Joe Mauer (.801OPS) in the 11th he will split DH duties with Matt Adams. Jeremy Hazelbaker (12thrd) a hatchet card with only 52AB won’t be on the roster next year at this time. Jon Jay (.749OPS) adds depth to the outfield. Jarrrod Dyson in the 14th is a head scratcher as they already had 8 outfielders on the roster and regardless of defense he sports a 674OPS and is 34 years old.. Howie Kendricks (.844OPS) was their final selection of their draft and one of their better picks of the day.

The Maui’s can field a starting lineup with an OPS of .866 Ramirez, Smoak and Sano lead the way, so they will score runs. Lance Lynn and Michael Fulmer are one – two in the rotation. Unfortunately the pitching just isn’t there. The Maui’s are in the toughest division in baseball with that being said, look for them to be in next year’s lottery.  PIP 3.00

 

Philadelphia                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Round                  Position                              Player                        PIP Grade                                                                      

1                                 P                            Alex Wood                                  3.8                                                                          

2                                 OF                         Avisail Garcia                               3.6                                                                         

2                                 P                            Juan Nicasio                                X                                                                             

3                                 P                            John Brebbia                                X                                                                             

3                                 1B                         Logan Morrison                         3.6                                                                           

4                                 P                            Luis Garcia                                   X                                                                             

5                                 C                            Christian Vazquez                       3.0                                                                         

7                                 OF                         Jose Martinez                              3.5                                                                         

8                                 P                            Darren O’Day                               X

9                                 P                            Sixto Sanchez                              3.3                                                                         

10                               P                            Arodys Vizcaino                          X                                                                             

11                               INF                        Johan Camargo                           3.0                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

The Black Sox’s started their draft by selecting starting pitcher Alex Wood (BZ) in the first round to solidify the starting rotation. In the second came bullpen help and outfielder Asival Garcia (.885OPS) who will step in to a starting role. Logan Morrison (.868OPS) and more relief help came in the third round. Morrison fills a big hole at first base both with the glove and the bat. Another reliever was selected in round four. Catcher Christian Vazquez (.735OPS) selected in the fifth round will be the starting catcher, he has the best glove out of the three on the roster but has limited at bats. Outfielder Jose Martinez (.897OPS) was drafted in the 7th round unfortunately he also has limited at bats but will certainly help out the offense. Another reliever in the 8th round was followed by the highly regarded Phillies phenom pitcher Sixto Sanchez. In the tenth they finished filling out the bullpen with pitcher Arodys Vizcaino making it the sixth reliever of their draft.  Infield help was the last piece in the puzzle and they selected infielder Johan Camargo (.783OPS) who will help out defensively at third base. The offense is led by Cespedes, Garcia and Martinez. The rotation is anchored by Wood and Baumgardner. The Black Sox’s have knocked on the door for a playoff spot the past 3 seasons and this year will be no different. With the best draft of the day Philly put themselves in a position to make this year the year.   PIP 3.40

 

Rochester

Round                  Position                              Player                        PIP Grade                                                                      

1                                 P                            Yusmerio Petit                             X                                                                             

1                                 P                            Chad Green                                  X                                                                             

1                                 SS                          Paul Deshong                               3.6                                                           

2                                 P                            Charlie Morton                           3.5                                                                         

3                                 P                            Brad Peacock                              3.4                                                                         

3                                 P                            Brent Suter                                   3.1                                                                         

4                                 P                            Randall Delgado                          3.1                                                                         

6                                 P                            Andrew Albers                             3.0                                                                         

7                                 P                            David Hernandez                        X                                                                             

9                                 1B                         Adam Lind                                    3.4                                                                        

10                               OF                         Brian Goodwin                            3.2                                                                    

11                               P                            Austin Madddox                          X                                                                     

12                               P                            Tyler Olsen                                   X                            `                                       

13                               P                            Carlos Ramirez                            X                                                                    

15                               P                            Luis Santos                                   X                                                                          

16                               P                            Deck McGuire                              3.0                                                                      

17                               P                            Jimmy Sherfy                               X

The Rocker’s draft was centered on pitching with 14 of their 17 picks bringing a combination of starting and relief pitching. In the first round they took relief pitchers Petit and Greene along with shortstop Paul Dejong  (.857OPS). Rochester was hoping outfielder Tommy Pham would be available with their 6th overall pick of the draft but it was not to be as San Diego drafted him with the overall 5th. Starting pitching was drafted from the second through sixth rounds starting with Charlie Morton (B) in the 2nd followed by Brad Peacock (B) and Brent Suter (BZ) in the third. Randall Delgado (BZ) and Andrew Albers (BZ) came in rounds four and six. Suter, Delgado and Albers have very limited innings. Relief in the 7th round was followed by 1B/OF Adam Lind (.875OPS) in the 9th round he could see time in the outfield or DH position. Outfielder Brian Goodwin was selected in the 10th round for added depth. More relief pitching came in their next four picks. Starting pitcher Deck McGuire ( gotta love the name) an AZ with 14 innings was drafted in the 16th round. Followed by one more reliever to end their draft.

Manager Shall will have his hands full managing the starting rotation because of limited innings but there is plenty there so we don’t think it will be an issue. They have plenty of relief pitching with eleven relievers on their roster. The offense is led by Trout, Votto and Bryant the rotation by Strasburg and Greinke. The Rockers are all in as evident by their draft. They sport a .916OPS, the last time that plateu was achieved was the 2012 season by Norfolk. Rochester has the potential to be a very special team but they’ll have to earn it as they play in the toughest division in baseball. PIP 3.26

Sherwood                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Round                  Position                             Player                        PIP Grade                                                                      

4                                 1B                         Ryan McMahon                         3.4                                                                          

5                                 P                            Ben Lively                                     3.2                                                                         

6                                 P                            Tony Zych                                     X                                                                             

6                                 OF                         Delino DeShields                         3.1                                                                         

7                                 P                            Keone Kela                                   X                                                                             

8                                 P                            Alan Buesentiz                             X                                                                             

9                                 P                            Jose Alvarado                              Released                                                               

10                               SS                          Luis Urias UC                               3.3                                                                                        

11                               P                            JC Ramirez                                   3.0                                                                

12                               P                            Taylor Rogers                              X                                                                             

13                               P                            Enny Romero                               X                                                                             

14                               INF                        Starlin Castro                               3.1                                                          

15                               P                            Eduardo Rodriguez                     2.9                                                                         

16                               P                            Chris Stratton                              3.0                                                                         

17                               P                            Shelby Miller                                2.6

The Forest Machine’s first pick was the 53rd overall and with that they drafted first basemen Ryan McMahon. An excellent pick to start the rebuild. Pitcher Ben Lively (CZ) was drafted in the 5th round and he’ll help to fill out the starting rotation. Relief pitcher Tony Zych was drafted in the 6th round along with outfielder Delino DeSheilds (.714OPS) who looks like he has the center field job in Texas. Relief help came in the next two rounds followed by Jose Alvarado in the 9th round who was subsequently released. In the 10th SS/2B prospect Luis Urias was selected he is a year or two away put looks to have great potential. Starting pitcher JC Ramirez (C) in the 11th round helps out in the starting rotation. With the next two rounds they added relief help.  Surprisingly Starlin Castro was sitting out on the board and they selected him in the 14th round. With their final 3 picks they chose all starting pitchers with Chris Stratton being the best out of the trio.

It was apparent this would be a rebuilding year for the Machine. With that being said, we would have said good bye to Owings and Iglesias for a couple of uncarded prospects. But who are we to tell the highest percentage winning owner/manager in all of baseball how to draft. The Machine have made the playoffs every year since 2010 including 5 division championships during that time. Just remarkable. However, that’s about to end as we enter the 2018 season. PIP 3.07