Season 41 AL Draft Grades

 

Atlanta Mental Patients                                Grade:D+

Rd.1/pk.41 Player Profile: Diego Pulido - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.3/pk.103 Player Profile: Spencer Spencer - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.3/pk.124 Player Profile: Tim Perisho - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.4/pk.156 Player Profile: Brent Crede - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

With only 1 comp pick in the first round, Atlanta selected Pulido. If Pulido was 18 yrs old, he would be slated for a ML roster. Because he is 22, it’s highly unlikely he will be anything more than a AA/AAA CL. Spencer may turn out to be a solid fielding CF, steal some bases and make contact. Though it is hard to trust a player with two first names. Perisho and Crede are ok AAA roster fillers for 3^rd and 4^th round selections. Crede may have an outside chance of making a big league roster.

Baltimore Dry Docks                       Grade: B+

Rd.1/pk.20 Player Profile: Clay Wayne - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/pk.38 Player Profile: Fernando Cruz - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/pk.53 Player Profile: Jayson Barney - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.5/pk.182 Player Profile: Deven Belle - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 Baltimore went heavy on the high school players, drafting Clay Wayne and Jason Barne. Wayne looks better suited for 3^rd base, exhibiting an exceptional bat for his age. Barne on the other hand looks more adequate for SS and an ok bat against lefties. Cruz, a closer with 5 pitches, headlined by a dominate fastball and good curve, can be penciled in as the future closer of the Dry Docks. Belle in rd.5 seems to be a nice late round find. Belle’s power and splits may be enough to overcome his contact and eye. Belle will probably make the move to 1^st base or RF as his fielding is subpar for a 3^rd baseman. 

Boise Potatoes                                  Grade: C

Rd.1/pk.4 Player Profile: Banjo Coulombe - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

A 6”4 188 pitcher named Banjo should fit right in with a team from Idaho named Potatoes. Coulombe is slower than a snail but should develop a good sinker to pair along with the ability to keep the ball in the park. If he can keep his walks down he should be a nice mid rotation piece for Boise. 

Cincinnati Boom Sticks                Grade: C-

Rd.1/pk.58 Player Profile: Bill Stubbs - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

There are worse things in the world then Bill Stubs at 58. Control issues will always plague him, but with a 4 pitch repritare, able to keep the ball in the park and decent splits. He may work his way up to the ML

Helena Roughnecks                        Grade: B-

Rd.1/pk.10 Player Profile: Sammy House - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Sammy House was a very nice pick at 10. House has great control, velocity, inducing groundballs and two decent pitches. If House can stay healthy, he will be a corner stone piece for the Roughnecks.

Indianapolis Swinging Hoosiers  Grade: D+

Rd.1/pk.1 Player Profile: Roger Pratt - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/pk.63 Player Profile: Keyvius Hernandez - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.3/pk.100 Player Profile: Kevin Black - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

Confusing draft for the Hoosiers, with the first overall pick, The Hoosiers selected Roger Pratt (my No. 9 college prospect) and passed over players like Guerrero and Francis. Pratt relies on his decent command and inducing groundballs to get players out, as he exhibits below average pitches. He will probably crack a ML roster at some point, but one would expect more out of the first pick of the draft. 

Iowa City Small Bears                     Grade: B-

Rd.1/pk.59 Player Profile: Clem Craig - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

Iowa gave up their first round pick to Sacramento, leaving them with only a comp pick. Iowa was able to salvage their draft by choosing Craig. As a second baseman, Craig has a way to go with his glove. But once developed, should be a top 5 hitter at his position.

Louisville Horseman                        Grade: D+

Rd.1/Pk.9 Player Profile: Ralph Wolf - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

With the 9^th pick, Louisville selected Ralph Wolf. Wolf has a nice slider to pair with an up and coming fast ball as well as good velocity. Being a lefty, it’s imperative for wolf to either have great splits, or exceptional control, which he has neither. Much like Indy, there was much better options at 9 causing the grade to dip. 

 

Mexico City Diablos                         Grade: A-

Rd.1/pk.22 Player Profile: Erik Hill - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/pk.24

Rd.1/pk.39 Player Profile: Marty Fox - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/pk.56 Player Profile: Don Damon - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/pk.87 Player Profile: Andrew Bonderman - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.3/pk.122 Player Profile: John Tabaka - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.5/pk.186 Player Profile: Pepper Darr - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.6/pk.218 Player Profile: Kane Osborn - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

The Diablos found a home run pick in Hill. Hill is a balanced pitcher with a devastating sink who will one day find himself helping to anchor a pitching staff as a number 2. The Diablos have yet to sign their second first round pick, Comp picks Marty Fox and Don Damon both exhibit ML talent. Fox shows signs as a ML hitter and Damon a back end starter. In the later rounds, Mexico was able to find at worse AAA players in Tabaka, Darr and Osborn. Darr is the most likely candidate out of the three to crack a ML roster as a middle reliever, Tabaka a close second as a platoon hitter.

New Britain Rock Cats                    Grade: C+

Rd.1/pk.17 Player Profile: Damian Patterson - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/pk.81 Player Profile: Steve Priest - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.20/pk.660 Player Profile: Blaine Veres - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

At 17, The Rock Cats selected Patterson. A hard throwing righty who can control his pitches, he may be able to fill out the Cat’s starting rotation. Steve Priest could develop into a solid defensive catcher who could bat low to mid .200’s. Veres at pick 660 is a nice find as he may develop into a defensive SS with a bit of pop.

Pawtucket Terriers                          Grade: F*

Rd.1/pk.23 Prospect Profile - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/pk.55 Prospect Profile - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

An ouchy of a draft, Pawtucket has yet to sign their two first round picks. If they sign, it might salvage their draft for season 41

Pittsburgh Pilots                               Grade: A

Rd.1/pk.5 Player Profile: Pablo Guerrero - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/pk.45 Player Profile: Karl McHugh - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/pk.69 Player Profile: Ned File - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

Guerrero was expected to go number 1 on my mock draft, being the most complete player in fielding, hitting, base running and durability. Though it might have been his ML only contract that scared the teams off. Guerrero can be penciled in alongside of Martin, Wakeland, Jackson and the rest of Pittsburgh’s young core for the next 8 seasons.

Rochester Red Wings                     Grade: F*

                Rochester has yet to sign any draft pick for the season 41 draft. We will revisit the picks if signed.

Salem Witch Hunts                          Grade: B-

Rd.1/pk.27 Player Profile: Gabby Clevinger - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/pk.91 Player Profile: Luther Krol - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.3/pk.125 Player Profile: Vitas Sewell - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

My favorite pick in the draft; Clevinger is a groundball pitcher with two great pitches, a 4 seam fastball and a curveball. His low control may cause issues here and there, but nothing that can’t be worked around when his splits fully develop. A great late first round pick. Krol and Sewell both have outside chances of one day making a ML roster, though it might be on a rebuilding team.

Tampa Bay Water Dogs                 Grade: D+

Rd.1/pk.30 Player Profile: Andres Guillen - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/pk.95 Player Profile: Quilvio Ramirez - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.3/pk.128 Player Profile: Midre Phelps - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

Tough draft for Tampa, with their first pick they selected Andres Guillen. Guillen is a speedy second baseman whose saving grace is he’s left handed. Better suited for the outfield, Guillen has a lot to overcome to crack a ML roster. Ramirez is a left hand starting pitcher with two nice pitches and a decent lefty split. Though VR and Control may hold him back from reaching his full potential. Phelps could be a GG shortstop with well below average hitting ability. 

Vancouver Nighthawks                 Grade: C-

Rd.1/pk.3 Player Profile: Neifi Rosales - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/pk.28 Player Profile: Marshall Singleton - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.4/pk.134 Player Profile: Kyle Cunningham - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

This is Jkorns second season as the gm of the Nighthawks and had two first round picks to work with, 3 and 28. Rosales boasts a nice sinker, can induce groundballs as well as throw it by a hitter. Rosales may find success as a tandem starter, though control issues and an inability to get right handers out will be an issue for him. Singleton was a nice pick at 28, a good building block for jkorn. Cunningham has a good chance of filling out the back of a rotation, though control issues will plague his development.