Tuesday, December 14, 2021

AL North and East Draft Grades!

 

Cincinnati Boom Sticks                   Grade: D+

Rd.1/Pck.27 Player Profile: Josh Mays - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/Pck.86 Player Profile: Sean Lasker - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

Cincinnati came into Draft night with 4 picks in the top 100, but was only able to sign two. At 27, Cincinnati picked slugger Josh Mays. Mays has very good hitting potential, but with an injury history the size of a CVS receipt, his health is a major concern for his future.



Minnesota Millers                           Grade: C-

Rd.1/Pck.17 Player Profile: Hooks Malone - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/Pck.46 Player Profile: Kenneth Girardi - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/Pck.71 Player Profile: Keith Wilkinson - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

In the first round, Minnesota selected two similar pitchers. Malone; a righty, has a little more potential then Girardi. Though Malone has a below average pitching reparatory, His VR and control can land him at the back end of a rotation.  With a second round selection, Wilkinson could be a decent bat at the plate versus lefties and a good base runner. With low contact and well below average eye, expect a lot of strike outs.


 


Pawtucket Terriers                          Grade: B+

Rd.1/Pck.14 Player Profile: Herman Bootcheck - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/Pck.44 Player Profile: Jedd Nappo - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.10/Pck.326 Player Profile: Joe Becker - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

In the first round Pawtucket selected the steal of the draft, Herman Bootcheck. A hard throwing righty out of Edison Community College, Bootcheck has a well-developed fastball and a developing slider. Solid VR/VL and decent control. He should be able to fill in at the top of the rotation as Player Profile: Hong-Chih Jung - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports career whines down. In the tenth round, Becker was given DITR which makes him a viable catcher for the minors. He should be able to help grow those young pitchers in Pawtuckets minors.



Rochester Whippets                       Grade: C-

 

Rd.1/Pck. 11 Player Profile: Don Wakeland - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

In the first round, Rochester selected Don Wakeland. With strong abilities in the field, at the plate, and on the base path; the only thing holding him back is his health. Wakeland plays a very demanding position and alongside a 162 game schedule, he may spend more time on the DL then on the field.



Baltimore Dry Docks                       Grade: A-

Rd.1/Pck.20 Player Profile: Juan Padilla - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/Pck.36 Player Profile: Kenneth Langston - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/Pck.40 Player Profile: Aubrey Franco - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/Pck.55 Player Profile: Wily Mo McGrady - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/Pck.57 Player Profile: Bum O'Halloran - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

With three first round picks, Baltimore was able to find 3 MLB future contributors. With their first pick, Baltimore drafted closer Juan Padilla. At 18 yrs old, Padilla lacks control but showcases a lively fastball, topping 95 on the gun, and a developing circle change. Padilla may never be able to fill a MLB closer role, but should be able to bridge the gap to the 9th. With the 36 pick, Langston has the making of a back end SP, goof VR and a developing fast ball. With their last first round pick, 22 year old Aubrey Franco has the body of a corn stalk and may fit better in Iowa. Standing 6’7 buck 90, he show cases good range and a decent glove, subpar bat but at second base shouldn’t be too much of a drag. In round 2 Baltimore did a nice job drafting two players who can help his minors be competitive.



Indianapolis Swinging Hoosiers  Grade: C+

Rd.1/Pck.7 Player Profile: David Velazquez - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.1/Pck.41 Player Profile: Mac Kidd - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.2/Pck.62 Player Profile: Lewis Hallman - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.3/Pck.95 Player Profile: Paul Scalici - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.4/Pck127 Player Profile: Kendrys Trevino - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.5/Pck.159 Player Profile: Hank Winn - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.22/Pck.703 Player Profile: Rafael Sanabia - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

Season 42 was a much better draft haul and approach then last season for the Hoosiers. With the 7th overall pick, Indy selected David Velazquaz, a soft throwing lefty that has wicked movement on his curveball. With good control and VL split for his age, he should develop nicely into a ML asset. With their second first round pick, Kidd doesn’t have any flashy pitches but should have no problem filling an AAAA role. Indy did a nice job with the rest of their picks filling out the minor league roster with cheap competent players who may be able to fill in for injuries. 


Iowa City Small Bears                     Grade: D+

Rd.2/Pck.76 Player Profile: Hal Carey - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

With no first round pick for the second straight year, there is no Clem Craig to salvage Iowa’s draft. In the second round, Iowa selected Hal Carey, a groundball pitching lefty. Carey has decent splits for a lefty but with no pitching flash and control, he is more likely to throw it into the ground then over the plate.


 


Pittsburgh Pilots                               Grade: C

Rd.1/Pck.18 Player Profile: William Sullivan - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

Rd.7/Pck233 Player Profile: Larry Fick - Hardball Dynasty Baseball | WhatIfSports

 

William Sullivan at 18 seems to be a good pick for Pittsburgh, a DH with some pop and solid VR/VL. Though the Pilots already have two young studs at first base and DH, not sure where he will end up in the lineup. In round 7, Pitts. Selected 19 yr. old second basemen Larry Fick. Fick has better potential in CF with his well-developed range and speed. He will have better success against lefties then righties as he matures. 

 

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