Since we're celebrating our 40th season, I thought I'd bring back a DJ staple of the early years. Here is the 2051 Draft Grades!
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
Grade: D
Best Pick: CF Dustin Shawn (47th Overall)
D is my default grade for guys that got auto-drafted. Rh didn't get a lot with this draft, but I do think Shawn at least has some interesting qualities in a pick. He looks like he might run a little, hit for a little power, and play decent defense.
Atlanta Braves
Grade: B
Best Pick: (By Default) 3B Eric Callendar 71st overall
Atlanta acquired 1B Tyreman and OF Gallaher with the bulk of their picks, going with prospects that have had development time rather than taking their chances in this draft. Gallaher has interesting hitting vitals for a 21 year old and Tyreman would likely be a top 5 pick if he was in this draft, so the value for both his picks was very good. I'm not sure either is an elite talent, but Stang got a lot of pieces for Steve August and his draft class.
Atlanta acquired 1B Tyreman and OF Gallaher with the bulk of their picks, going with prospects that have had development time rather than taking their chances in this draft. Gallaher has interesting hitting vitals for a 21 year old and Tyreman would likely be a top 5 pick if he was in this draft, so the value for both his picks was very good. I'm not sure either is an elite talent, but Stang got a lot of pieces for Steve August and his draft class.
Baltimore Orioles
Grade: B-
Best Pick: RP Sam Lines (46th Overall)
Not a bad debut for our new Oriole's GM! His first round pick Brian Douglas raised some question marks as a guy that looks to give up a lot of HRs, but he is very young with vitals all below his overall. Lines is a very interesting talent at 17 years old with good vitals and a nice GB%. 4th Rounder Joe Clouse was also a very interesting young talent with room to develop.
Not a bad debut for our new Oriole's GM! His first round pick Brian Douglas raised some question marks as a guy that looks to give up a lot of HRs, but he is very young with vitals all below his overall. Lines is a very interesting talent at 17 years old with good vitals and a nice GB%. 4th Rounder Joe Clouse was also a very interesting young talent with room to develop.
Boston Red Sox
Grade: D
Best Pick: RP Sam Woolard (22nd Overall)
Boston wasn't able to make the draft but they came away with a nice arm in Sam Woolard. At 16 years old, with solid vitals, and a heavy GB% - he's a very projectable arm that could work out of the bullpen or the starting rotation. 2nd Rounder Jose Gellegos could also be a potential sleeper.
Boston wasn't able to make the draft but they came away with a nice arm in Sam Woolard. At 16 years old, with solid vitals, and a heavy GB% - he's a very projectable arm that could work out of the bullpen or the starting rotation. 2nd Rounder Jose Gellegos could also be a potential sleeper.
Chicago Cubs
Grade: B-
Best Pick: 2B Jeremy Gladthorn (1st Overall)
Gladthorn was probably the best upside bat in the draft. He should be able to adequately play 2B and may have a very powerful bat at the position. He projects to have a strong eye and strong power with at least solid contact. Dueda, Dina, and Grubb all represented interesting late round choices.
Gladthorn was probably the best upside bat in the draft. He should be able to adequately play 2B and may have a very powerful bat at the position. He projects to have a strong eye and strong power with at least solid contact. Dueda, Dina, and Grubb all represented interesting late round choices.
Chicago White Sox
Grade: A-
Best Pick: 3B Alan Moroniti (75th Overall)
Jhc decided to deal his first round pick and other assets for Alex Fisher and 3B Shawn Winnall. With the weakness of the draft that looks like a good move now and both players are performing well on their new team. He also picked up Oliveras as a RP with a trade down in the second round. So considering what he brought to his team plus a couple interesting late choices like Moroniti and Estape - the South Siders did very well with this draft. Moroniti is very young, with good defense and if he can develop at all with his bat could be a solid contributor in the future.
Jhc decided to deal his first round pick and other assets for Alex Fisher and 3B Shawn Winnall. With the weakness of the draft that looks like a good move now and both players are performing well on their new team. He also picked up Oliveras as a RP with a trade down in the second round. So considering what he brought to his team plus a couple interesting late choices like Moroniti and Estape - the South Siders did very well with this draft. Moroniti is very young, with good defense and if he can develop at all with his bat could be a solid contributor in the future.
Cincinnati Reds
Grade: D
Best Pick: SP Ted Thomas (99th Overall)
Jps was unable to attend the draft and only by the middle of it did he default to a draft list. As a result he missed out on a lot of potential talent early on, but I do think in Thomas, Andrews, and George he did get some guys with ok talent, if a bit old.
Jps was unable to attend the draft and only by the middle of it did he default to a draft list. As a result he missed out on a lot of potential talent early on, but I do think in Thomas, Andrews, and George he did get some guys with ok talent, if a bit old.
Cleveland Indians
Grade: B
Best Pick: SP Russ Vandyke (21st overall)
I thought Sean did a nice job with this draft. He drafted a lot of groundball pitchers, which is clearly his style. I had strongly debated Vandyke instead of my pick in the first round and I think he has potential to be a very effective mid-rotation starter if he progresses well. The rest of his draft was filled with guys that had interesting profiles but were a bit on the older side, but that was a common theme for this draft class. I thought he did well for his position.
I thought Sean did a nice job with this draft. He drafted a lot of groundball pitchers, which is clearly his style. I had strongly debated Vandyke instead of my pick in the first round and I think he has potential to be a very effective mid-rotation starter if he progresses well. The rest of his draft was filled with guys that had interesting profiles but were a bit on the older side, but that was a common theme for this draft class. I thought he did well for his position.
Colorado Rockies
Grade: A-
Best Pick: SP Darren Kruse (36th Overall)
Cadmus had some nice picks in this draft, I felt like he was sniping guys right off my own board. Kyle Wade was the third overall pick and there was good reason for that. Of all the hitters in this draft he had the most established profile. He's going to be a heavy power/eye guy but he can field a position (unlike many). His biggest downside is he hits right-handed, but we'll have to see how the splits develop as he does. Darren Kruse looks like a good pitcher for Colorado - low HRs, control and movement heavy vitals, and a high GB%. I thought he was one of the best picks of the second round. Voight and Hickey were good late round values as well.
Cadmus had some nice picks in this draft, I felt like he was sniping guys right off my own board. Kyle Wade was the third overall pick and there was good reason for that. Of all the hitters in this draft he had the most established profile. He's going to be a heavy power/eye guy but he can field a position (unlike many). His biggest downside is he hits right-handed, but we'll have to see how the splits develop as he does. Darren Kruse looks like a good pitcher for Colorado - low HRs, control and movement heavy vitals, and a high GB%. I thought he was one of the best picks of the second round. Voight and Hickey were good late round values as well.
Detroit Tigers
Grade: B-
Best Pick: 2B Justin Abbot (15th Overall)
GB had a nice draft. Abbot was a guy coveted by many in the draft as he was one of the few MI that looked like they could profile as an every day starter. It'll be interesting to see how his offensive game develops to complement is good defensive game. I was not a fan of Santos, purely because of his inability to profile offensively. The two pitchers were good value for where they were picked.
GB had a nice draft. Abbot was a guy coveted by many in the draft as he was one of the few MI that looked like they could profile as an every day starter. It'll be interesting to see how his offensive game develops to complement is good defensive game. I was not a fan of Santos, purely because of his inability to profile offensively. The two pitchers were good value for where they were picked.
Florida Marlins
Grade: D
Best Pick: No picks, they were traded to Texas for CF Triana
I'm not very high on Triana. I had looked at him several times as a possible corner OF for myself but I'm left thinking he's a .700 OPS player with bad contact. I think he's way overrated and this may have been poor value even for late picks in a poor draft class. But hokey is desperate for a move that will get him over the hump, so I understand it.
I'm not very high on Triana. I had looked at him several times as a possible corner OF for myself but I'm left thinking he's a .700 OPS player with bad contact. I think he's way overrated and this may have been poor value even for late picks in a poor draft class. But hokey is desperate for a move that will get him over the hump, so I understand it.
Houston Astros
Grade: C+
Best Pick: SP Tony Lavery (90th Overall)
It's not that I disliked any of HighHeat's picks, they all have things to like about them, it's just none of them were high interest targets for me. Urber would have nice vitals if he was 19, but I worry that he's almost 22 already. Tipton is interesting, but another guy who it is hard to see having much of an offensive profile. Lavery was good value at 90 and so was Hevia the next round.
It's not that I disliked any of HighHeat's picks, they all have things to like about them, it's just none of them were high interest targets for me. Urber would have nice vitals if he was 19, but I worry that he's almost 22 already. Tipton is interesting, but another guy who it is hard to see having much of an offensive profile. Lavery was good value at 90 and so was Hevia the next round.
Kansas City Royals
Grade: A-
Best Pick: C Peter McDaniels (12th Overall)
I thought there were only two catchers worth picking in this draft and McDaniels was one of them. He's a switch hitter with excellent defense. His hitting profile is erratic in high school so whether he develops the power shown in his senior year and becomes a 20 HR guy or stays as a contact/eye guy is hard to tell. But good switch hitting catchers are as rare as a true Kansas City rebuild, so that has value. I'm higher on Vargas than some others - I think his age coupled with low HR totals and a good vitals balance gives him promise. The worry is that his movement is going to outpace the other two and turn him into a backend rotation guy. Williams, Aracil, and Vodden were all targets of mine - guys with interesting profiles and room to develop. Hecker reminds me of a poor man's Woodcock, but that's good value in a draft like this in the second round. Verdugo and Vosper were interesting late round picks.
I thought there were only two catchers worth picking in this draft and McDaniels was one of them. He's a switch hitter with excellent defense. His hitting profile is erratic in high school so whether he develops the power shown in his senior year and becomes a 20 HR guy or stays as a contact/eye guy is hard to tell. But good switch hitting catchers are as rare as a true Kansas City rebuild, so that has value. I'm higher on Vargas than some others - I think his age coupled with low HR totals and a good vitals balance gives him promise. The worry is that his movement is going to outpace the other two and turn him into a backend rotation guy. Williams, Aracil, and Vodden were all targets of mine - guys with interesting profiles and room to develop. Hecker reminds me of a poor man's Woodcock, but that's good value in a draft like this in the second round. Verdugo and Vosper were interesting late round picks.
Los Angeles Angels
Grade: B+
Best Pick: RP Josh Hoffman (56th Overall)
I thought Harold had highlights and some lowlights. Pye is a left-handed 1B who looks to profile well as a hitter. I'm not sure he'll ever be a truly elite bat, but I think he's reasonable to project as a good starter. Davin Harpersson was one of the most interesting players in the file. I think he could be one of the few truly elite hitters in this draft class if things go right for him. The problem is he's a man without a defensive position and that's where the intrigue starts. It'll be curious to see if his bat eventually forces him into a position to hit. Yaw and Sabla were guys I didn't have on my radar. Sabla is way too old to be picked that highly, strong defense or not. I worry Yaw is a guy that isn't good enough to start. But he did recover and take a guy in Josh Hoffman who I think is a strong sleeper as well as guys I liked quite a bit like Carpenter, Hirasi, and Morin. Those three and Hoffman could be the start of a very good future bullpen.
I thought Harold had highlights and some lowlights. Pye is a left-handed 1B who looks to profile well as a hitter. I'm not sure he'll ever be a truly elite bat, but I think he's reasonable to project as a good starter. Davin Harpersson was one of the most interesting players in the file. I think he could be one of the few truly elite hitters in this draft class if things go right for him. The problem is he's a man without a defensive position and that's where the intrigue starts. It'll be curious to see if his bat eventually forces him into a position to hit. Yaw and Sabla were guys I didn't have on my radar. Sabla is way too old to be picked that highly, strong defense or not. I worry Yaw is a guy that isn't good enough to start. But he did recover and take a guy in Josh Hoffman who I think is a strong sleeper as well as guys I liked quite a bit like Carpenter, Hirasi, and Morin. Those three and Hoffman could be the start of a very good future bullpen.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Grade: B-
Best Pick: Bruce Harren (37th Overall)
I'm shocked Harren made it to 37. I thought he had potential to be a very good closer down the line - he limits HRs, might have several capable pitches, and looks to be well balanced in his vitals. He may easily outperform his draft position. Takabe was another bat I liked, he reminds me of Colin McConnell and I think we could go back and look at him as one of the better hitters in the draft. I was not high on Lange, however. I think he's a player who may end up being all movement, which limits his role as little more than a backend starter. Villasenor and Dunlop were ok picks but I thought after Harren the Dodger draft fell off a little bit.
I'm shocked Harren made it to 37. I thought he had potential to be a very good closer down the line - he limits HRs, might have several capable pitches, and looks to be well balanced in his vitals. He may easily outperform his draft position. Takabe was another bat I liked, he reminds me of Colin McConnell and I think we could go back and look at him as one of the better hitters in the draft. I was not high on Lange, however. I think he's a player who may end up being all movement, which limits his role as little more than a backend starter. Villasenor and Dunlop were ok picks but I thought after Harren the Dodger draft fell off a little bit.
Milwaukee Brewers
Grade: C
Best Pick: 1B Bryan Kitchner (50th Overall)
I was a bit confused by rocky's first pick. Bandana struck me as a guy some poor auto-drafter was going to get stuck with. He is already 20, gives up lots of HR, low GB%, and heavy on the power vital. He just looks like a bust waiting to happen. I did think he made up for that by sniping a guy I was looking at in Kitchner. He's a solid fielder and his profile says he might be a 25 HR hitter with good contact and eye. I thought he was tremendous value at 50.
I was a bit confused by rocky's first pick. Bandana struck me as a guy some poor auto-drafter was going to get stuck with. He is already 20, gives up lots of HR, low GB%, and heavy on the power vital. He just looks like a bust waiting to happen. I did think he made up for that by sniping a guy I was looking at in Kitchner. He's a solid fielder and his profile says he might be a 25 HR hitter with good contact and eye. I thought he was tremendous value at 50.
Minnesota Twins
Grade: D
Best Pick: 1B Mason Stubber (5th Overall)
I quasi-picked for Minnesota. I tried to draft someone who was ok rather than just auto-ing them for the next GM. I think Stubber has potential to be a ridiculously gifted power hitter, we'll have to see how that turns out.
I quasi-picked for Minnesota. I tried to draft someone who was ok rather than just auto-ing them for the next GM. I think Stubber has potential to be a ridiculously gifted power hitter, we'll have to see how that turns out.
New York Mets
Grade: A-
Best Pick: SP Robert Reinita (51st Overall)
In a rare move g$ drafted well this year! In all seriousness, he did target several players that I think were very interesting. Woods' biggest problem is that he's right-handed. If he was a lefty I doubt he would've gotten out of the top 10. Young, good defender, solid vital make-up. Reinita is a guy that I think I overlooked more than I should've when I scouted. His profile is very nicea nd is good value for the second round. Dempsey was a nice late-round sleeper.
In a rare move g$ drafted well this year! In all seriousness, he did target several players that I think were very interesting. Woods' biggest problem is that he's right-handed. If he was a lefty I doubt he would've gotten out of the top 10. Young, good defender, solid vital make-up. Reinita is a guy that I think I overlooked more than I should've when I scouted. His profile is very nicea nd is good value for the second round. Dempsey was a nice late-round sleeper.
New York Yankees
Grade: D
Best Pick: 1B Ty Wolverton (95th Overall)
Auto-drafted. Wolverton is a nice young 1B with some potential to be a contributor. All of the earlier pitchers look like busts waiting to happen.
Auto-drafted. Wolverton is a nice young 1B with some potential to be a contributor. All of the earlier pitchers look like busts waiting to happen.
Oakland Athletics
Grade: Will not grade my clearly awesome draft.
Best Pick: RP Ed Williams (53rd Overall)
I was thrilled to get Harty at 18 considering I thought he was a clear top 10 player. He might have limited time to develop but he's already pretty far along. Harada was a high risk and high reward player, but I try to invest in those at least once a year. I made a second pick like that in Gomez - both could be total flame-outs or huge value picks and it's almost impossible to know. Ed Williams and Tony Brucato could both be very good future relievers.
I was thrilled to get Harty at 18 considering I thought he was a clear top 10 player. He might have limited time to develop but he's already pretty far along. Harada was a high risk and high reward player, but I try to invest in those at least once a year. I made a second pick like that in Gomez - both could be total flame-outs or huge value picks and it's almost impossible to know. Ed Williams and Tony Brucato could both be very good future relievers.
Philadelphia Phillies
Grade: B-
Best Pick: SP Luis Ortozco (2nd Overall)
I think beaufort made the perfect pick at 2. Orto is 16, is a ground ball machine, two vitals and a pitch over his overall, and has room to deveop his overalls with a lower endurance. His one big red flag is his health, but if any pitcher in this file is going to be lights out and a potential ace - it's this guy. The rest of the draft was auto'd and nothing much to look at.
I think beaufort made the perfect pick at 2. Orto is 16, is a ground ball machine, two vitals and a pitch over his overall, and has room to deveop his overalls with a lower endurance. His one big red flag is his health, but if any pitcher in this file is going to be lights out and a potential ace - it's this guy. The rest of the draft was auto'd and nothing much to look at.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Grade: C
Best Pick: SP Jim Broomhead (59th Overall)
Gilly made a great trade for Cadavieco and then promptly flipped him for far less than I think he could've gotten. That move weighs down the grade here. He added White, Worrell, and Carr who are all prospects I like, so that brought him back up.
Gilly made a great trade for Cadavieco and then promptly flipped him for far less than I think he could've gotten. That move weighs down the grade here. He added White, Worrell, and Carr who are all prospects I like, so that brought him back up.
San Diego Padres
Grade: B
Best Pick: None
In a bad draft, Decker flipped his picks into Troup, Geddis, and Findlater. Findlater is pitching brilliantly, Geddis is fielding very well, and Troup is being a dude who does things. I'm not sure what things, but he does them. Occasionally well, often not.
In any case, with a bad draft class, this is pretty good value all around.
In a bad draft, Decker flipped his picks into Troup, Geddis, and Findlater. Findlater is pitching brilliantly, Geddis is fielding very well, and Troup is being a dude who does things. I'm not sure what things, but he does them. Occasionally well, often not.
In any case, with a bad draft class, this is pretty good value all around.
San Francisco Giants
Grade: B-
Best Pick: SP Sam Ingram (40th Overall)
Sam Ingram was a very interesting pick at 40. He's older, heavy on flyballs, but damned if he didn't intrigue me. I'm not sure what he'll be, but I like him. I know Wetzel was a guy that a lot of people were high on, but I wasn't that thrilled with his profile and at 7 I think his ceiling is limited. Jeopoldo, Orth, and Wayman were all nice value picks and pitchers that profile well. The hitters not so much for me.
Sam Ingram was a very interesting pick at 40. He's older, heavy on flyballs, but damned if he didn't intrigue me. I'm not sure what he'll be, but I like him. I know Wetzel was a guy that a lot of people were high on, but I wasn't that thrilled with his profile and at 7 I think his ceiling is limited. Jeopoldo, Orth, and Wayman were all nice value picks and pitchers that profile well. The hitters not so much for me.
Seattle Mariners
Grade: D+
Best Pick: None
Seattle traded their entire draft class for three mediocre, overrated players from LAA. As the GM of Oakland, I approve. So scratch that grade and put it at an A+....in all seriousness, they added three immediate "contributors" to a team going for it all. That's decent value for a bad draft class.
Seattle traded their entire draft class for three mediocre, overrated players from LAA. As the GM of Oakland, I approve. So scratch that grade and put it at an A+....in all seriousness, they added three immediate "contributors" to a team going for it all. That's decent value for a bad draft class.
St. Louis Cardinals
Grade: C
Best Pick: LF Prescott Hinchey (33rd Overall)
GD shipped out most of his draft for 1B August - you have to commend his aggressiveness to add elite talent and August is certainly that. He almost completely gutted his major league team and has depleted his minor league system. So his grade is pulled up by landing the elite talent and by getting good value in Hinchey at 33. He's a guy that could end up being the next speedy, good fielding outfielder for STL. The grade is weighed down by just how ridiculous the price he paid was to land August.
GD shipped out most of his draft for 1B August - you have to commend his aggressiveness to add elite talent and August is certainly that. He almost completely gutted his major league team and has depleted his minor league system. So his grade is pulled up by landing the elite talent and by getting good value in Hinchey at 33. He's a guy that could end up being the next speedy, good fielding outfielder for STL. The grade is weighed down by just how ridiculous the price he paid was to land August.
Tampa Bay Rays
Grade: B-
Best Pick: RP Jason Callow (8th Overall)
Callow is a very interesting prospect and one of the few RP I thought was ideal to convert. Callow has some similiarities to Speedy Canamar and I think he was an outstanding pick by Steal Third. He's got a ton of time to let him develop into an eventual stud for his rotation. I was less thrilled with Gremandes who I think has bust written all over him. I worry his vitals balance means he's going to be either heavy on power or his movement rating is going to go crazy. Either way I don't think he's going to get value for that pick.
Callow is a very interesting prospect and one of the few RP I thought was ideal to convert. Callow has some similiarities to Speedy Canamar and I think he was an outstanding pick by Steal Third. He's got a ton of time to let him develop into an eventual stud for his rotation. I was less thrilled with Gremandes who I think has bust written all over him. I worry his vitals balance means he's going to be either heavy on power or his movement rating is going to go crazy. Either way I don't think he's going to get value for that pick.
Texas Rangers
Grade: C
Best Pick: RP Mark Selwyn (86th Overall)
At 11 I thought Chuck McDonald was an interesting player. He looks like a guy who will profile as effective, but not elite if things go well. I think that's hard to swallow as a ceiling for a guy at 11 overall. I didn't like Miller or Chano or Reynolds for various reasons, but then warpriest knocked a couple picks out. Foley and Selwyn are excellent picks. Both profile as solid contributors to his future bullpen. Varney, Ernandez, and Ryan were all also good sleeper picks.
Grade: C
Best Pick: RP Mark Selwyn (86th Overall)
At 11 I thought Chuck McDonald was an interesting player. He looks like a guy who will profile as effective, but not elite if things go well. I think that's hard to swallow as a ceiling for a guy at 11 overall. I didn't like Miller or Chano or Reynolds for various reasons, but then warpriest knocked a couple picks out. Foley and Selwyn are excellent picks. Both profile as solid contributors to his future bullpen. Varney, Ernandez, and Ryan were all also good sleeper picks.
Toronto Blue Jays
Grade: C+
Best Pick: SP Carlos Pallino (63rd Overall)
I liked Pallino as a mid-round pick. He's got serious sleeper potential to be a bullpen piece in high leverage situations. I didn't like Hobbs as much but he does have development time with his age. Cox is a rare left-handed hitting catcher and he has good defensive vitals, so not a bad pick there either.
I liked Pallino as a mid-round pick. He's got serious sleeper potential to be a bullpen piece in high leverage situations. I didn't like Hobbs as much but he does have development time with his age. Cox is a rare left-handed hitting catcher and he has good defensive vitals, so not a bad pick there either.
Washington Nationals
Grade: A-
Best Pick: RP Doug Horan (74th Overall)
Horan is a nice pick, I was hoping to land him as a very nice future reliver. He's left-handed, keeps the ball in the park and on the ground, and has time to develop. I could see him being a very valuable bullpen pitcher and great value at this point. Gaspar has a nice profile but high school hitters treated him like batting practice, which is a bit concerning. Most of all this grade was earned for moving all his picks in a weak draft to land a young stud in Cadavieco. That was a move many of us would've loved to make, but few pulled that trigger before the release of the draft class.
Horan is a nice pick, I was hoping to land him as a very nice future reliver. He's left-handed, keeps the ball in the park and on the ground, and has time to develop. I could see him being a very valuable bullpen pitcher and great value at this point. Gaspar has a nice profile but high school hitters treated him like batting practice, which is a bit concerning. Most of all this grade was earned for moving all his picks in a weak draft to land a young stud in Cadavieco. That was a move many of us would've loved to make, but few pulled that trigger before the release of the draft class.
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