Here are the 2052 Draft Grades!
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
Grade: C+
Best Pick: OF Jamie Becriva (18th Overall)
RH focused on offense this draft and I think he might have walked away with a really good player in the first round. Becriva profiles as a guy with great defense and probably a good contact/eye combination. He doesn't look like he'll hit for power, however. Ramos was fine, but he was a bit old for his offense to develop enough for me. Ringwood has pop, but not much else and Corliss is a middle infielder that can't field.
Atlanta Braves
Grade: NA
Best Pick: None
Atlanta traded out of the draft to acquire SS Steve Brown who is sporting a sub-.700 OPS and isn't living up to the price tag it took to get him. His 5th and 6th went for 1B Thurman who is also unimpressive, if a decent value for what he was acquired for.
Atlanta traded out of the draft to acquire SS Steve Brown who is sporting a sub-.700 OPS and isn't living up to the price tag it took to get him. His 5th and 6th went for 1B Thurman who is also unimpressive, if a decent value for what he was acquired for.
Baltimore Orioles
Grade: D+
Best Pick: None
Auto-picked draft and even the autopick was unkind to this team. There was nothing in any of the profiles of these players that I liked.
Auto-picked draft and even the autopick was unkind to this team. There was nothing in any of the profiles of these players that I liked.
Boston Red Sox
Grade: C
Best Pick: CF Dave Priestner (52nd Overall)
His 1st and 3rd were moved for Deazo, which was pretty good value. His problem is offense, however, so that has continued to be a problem. Priestner has a Meza-like profile in that he'll make awful contact but the power looks legit and he's a major-league caliber CF already. So not bad for a 2nd rounder. The other two look like filler.
His 1st and 3rd were moved for Deazo, which was pretty good value. His problem is offense, however, so that has continued to be a problem. Priestner has a Meza-like profile in that he'll make awful contact but the power looks legit and he's a major-league caliber CF already. So not bad for a 2nd rounder. The other two look like filler.
Chicago Cubs
Grade: B+
Best Pick: P Januel Jones (2nd Overall)
This was talked about a lot on the draft podcast, but suffice to say Jones is a good player and arguably the best arm in the draft. Jason made the right call in taking him. The two second round outfielders have a good chance to be contributors. Williams doesn't profile to be an elite player even if things go well for him, but he does profile to be a solid player. Barrieu was also on my short list of late round steals. There is a guy that could help a team if things go right for him.
This was talked about a lot on the draft podcast, but suffice to say Jones is a good player and arguably the best arm in the draft. Jason made the right call in taking him. The two second round outfielders have a good chance to be contributors. Williams doesn't profile to be an elite player even if things go well for him, but he does profile to be a solid player. Barrieu was also on my short list of late round steals. There is a guy that could help a team if things go right for him.
Chicago White Sox
Grade: C+
Best Pick: RP Sean Ames (111th Overall)
jhc also dealt himself out of his picks as part of that big three team deal. The problem he has is that it hasn't paid off for his team, even if his acquisitions weren't bad. His 2nd round pick Alvarez looks too old to pull those vitals into anything more than a middle-relief level. Czaszynski has a great profile for a third round pick. Sean Ames looks even better and could be a solid reliever for them in two years.
jhc also dealt himself out of his picks as part of that big three team deal. The problem he has is that it hasn't paid off for his team, even if his acquisitions weren't bad. His 2nd round pick Alvarez looks too old to pull those vitals into anything more than a middle-relief level. Czaszynski has a great profile for a third round pick. Sean Ames looks even better and could be a solid reliever for them in two years.
Cincinnati Reds
Grade: C
Best Pick: RP Jared Lecompte (94th Overall)
jps had to deal out his higher picks for cash to keep contending so this will be hard to grade. He did manage to cobble together some late round picks and get C Gilhespie who has some things to like in a late round pick. He also nabbed an interesting player in Lecompte who could be a solid reliever. Hard to grade a draft that was traded for cash though.
jps had to deal out his higher picks for cash to keep contending so this will be hard to grade. He did manage to cobble together some late round picks and get C Gilhespie who has some things to like in a late round pick. He also nabbed an interesting player in Lecompte who could be a solid reliever. Hard to grade a draft that was traded for cash though.
Cleveland Indians
Grade: A-
Best Pick: SP Trace Handford (30th Overall)
This was again much discussed on the pod, but to summarize: I think Clouse has the chance to be the biggest impact bat in the draft. He's young, plays good defense at a premium position, and has a ton of hitting upside. I didn't like Lennon and the choice to pick him over Evans really took this from an A+ to an A- for me. Vallarta looks like a really interesting convert, Handford is a great value at 30 overall, Mallet and McMenemy fit a similar profile as well. Those four guys could all be future rotation pieces. Roberts and Radman represent some great upside picks late that could have an impact as well.
This was again much discussed on the pod, but to summarize: I think Clouse has the chance to be the biggest impact bat in the draft. He's young, plays good defense at a premium position, and has a ton of hitting upside. I didn't like Lennon and the choice to pick him over Evans really took this from an A+ to an A- for me. Vallarta looks like a really interesting convert, Handford is a great value at 30 overall, Mallet and McMenemy fit a similar profile as well. Those four guys could all be future rotation pieces. Roberts and Radman represent some great upside picks late that could have an impact as well.
Colorado Rockies
Grade: B-
Best Pick: SP Royce James (26th Overall)
Sweeney was a guy that a lot of people got cold feet on because of his age and how his vitals compare to his overall, but I think cadmus just sacrificed upside for certainty. Sweeney is going to be a solid arm, but he lacks third pick overall impact. Royce James might need some luck to develop the right way to take advantage of what he does well but he was a good gamble.
Sweeney was a guy that a lot of people got cold feet on because of his age and how his vitals compare to his overall, but I think cadmus just sacrificed upside for certainty. Sweeney is going to be a solid arm, but he lacks third pick overall impact. Royce James might need some luck to develop the right way to take advantage of what he does well but he was a good gamble.
Detroit Tigers
Grade: B-
Best Pick: SP Joe Smith (11th Overall)
Joe Smith is a really interesting arm and I was hoping he'd last longer. Yeah, he's left-handed and his GB% isn't sexy, but everything else about his profile screams "better than his overall" pitcher. The kind you plug into the third or fourth slot in a strong rotation. The middle picks were sent out for an (old) James Mahone, which isn't bad value but not great either. None of the late picks intrigued me a whole lot.
Joe Smith is a really interesting arm and I was hoping he'd last longer. Yeah, he's left-handed and his GB% isn't sexy, but everything else about his profile screams "better than his overall" pitcher. The kind you plug into the third or fourth slot in a strong rotation. The middle picks were sent out for an (old) James Mahone, which isn't bad value but not great either. None of the late picks intrigued me a whole lot.
Florida Marlins
Grade: a-
Best Pick: SP Joey Rennison (29th Overall)
I liked Palmer, though not as much as some others. I worry about how he profiles and some of that is because I'm not sure what exactly he will profile as. I liked Witt a lot and Rennison was an arm I had targeted for the high second if I traded back. Rennison could end up as one of the best arms in this draft. His biggest problem looks like the HR ball. Knisley is intriguing as long as he stays in the bullpen. Henderson has a lot to like but he just looks like he'll peak before Winterball even hits. None of the late picks intrigue me much from what I saw.
I liked Palmer, though not as much as some others. I worry about how he profiles and some of that is because I'm not sure what exactly he will profile as. I liked Witt a lot and Rennison was an arm I had targeted for the high second if I traded back. Rennison could end up as one of the best arms in this draft. His biggest problem looks like the HR ball. Knisley is intriguing as long as he stays in the bullpen. Henderson has a lot to like but he just looks like he'll peak before Winterball even hits. None of the late picks intrigue me much from what I saw.
Houston Astros
Grade: B+
Best Pick: SP Trayvon Harris (56th Overall)
His first two picks ended up being auto'd, but I do think Ronnie Thomas is a nice power hitter. He's got some decent potential as a middle of the order bat. Tofts looks like he might be a nice power hitter if his bat can develop a little to go with that glove. Priddy is a bit old, but has some things to like. Harris and Hoye were excellent 2nd round picks with some upside. Smith, Beltran, and Wallen were all late round picks that offer some skills that may turn them into contributors in the long run. Overall a pretty good draft.
His first two picks ended up being auto'd, but I do think Ronnie Thomas is a nice power hitter. He's got some decent potential as a middle of the order bat. Tofts looks like he might be a nice power hitter if his bat can develop a little to go with that glove. Priddy is a bit old, but has some things to like. Harris and Hoye were excellent 2nd round picks with some upside. Smith, Beltran, and Wallen were all late round picks that offer some skills that may turn them into contributors in the long run. Overall a pretty good draft.
Kansas City Royals
Grade: B-
Best Pick: SP Toshifusa Takagi (39th Overall)
I think Hayes might be capable of being a nice convert as he has some things to like. He is, however, 21 already and that may impact how well that conversion happens. Takagi is younger, has two great pitches, and some nice value. He was a real good pick in the 2nd round. Celis and Ham do absolutely nothing for me, but Kenmare could turn into a future bullpen piece.
I think Hayes might be capable of being a nice convert as he has some things to like. He is, however, 21 already and that may impact how well that conversion happens. Takagi is younger, has two great pitches, and some nice value. He was a real good pick in the 2nd round. Celis and Ham do absolutely nothing for me, but Kenmare could turn into a future bullpen piece.
Los Angeles Angels
Grade: B+
Best Pick: SP Sean Broderick (7th Overall)
Stansfield is a guy that I think has a high floor, but I'm unsure about his ceiling. You're going to get a good fielder with pop, but how much pop and how much impact he gives is the question. Broderick has more upside and may have the best true ace potential in the entire draft. The guy looks to have a good selection of pitches, if his movement vital catches up to the other vitals he could be the 90-90-90 coveted guy. Neel has a couple of great pitches, but he's 21 and I wonder how good his vitals can get given how they look relative to his overall. Kirk looks to have HR probems and Maddux might be interesting if he was left-handed.
Stansfield is a guy that I think has a high floor, but I'm unsure about his ceiling. You're going to get a good fielder with pop, but how much pop and how much impact he gives is the question. Broderick has more upside and may have the best true ace potential in the entire draft. The guy looks to have a good selection of pitches, if his movement vital catches up to the other vitals he could be the 90-90-90 coveted guy. Neel has a couple of great pitches, but he's 21 and I wonder how good his vitals can get given how they look relative to his overall. Kirk looks to have HR probems and Maddux might be interesting if he was left-handed.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Grade: C+
Best Pick: 3B Jorge Campechano (42nd Overall)
I'm not as down on Roe as others, but I do think sxr might have passed on much better talents. Roe is going to struggle with HRs and that is always a troublesome problem. In and of itself that doesn't mean he can't succeed but I wonder if he'll be able to get any of his vitals into the 90s. I think one problem I have with sxr's draft is that there are too many older players, that's a thing I'm usually pretty down on. I did like Derrick and Figuerora as late round outfielders that could be talented contributors.
I'm not as down on Roe as others, but I do think sxr might have passed on much better talents. Roe is going to struggle with HRs and that is always a troublesome problem. In and of itself that doesn't mean he can't succeed but I wonder if he'll be able to get any of his vitals into the 90s. I think one problem I have with sxr's draft is that there are too many older players, that's a thing I'm usually pretty down on. I did like Derrick and Figuerora as late round outfielders that could be talented contributors.
Milwaukee Brewers
Grade: C
Best Pick: SP Brent Hillman (78th Overall)
I didn't like much of rocky's picks. Edger is a guy who I'm jsut not sure about because his offensive profile doesn't indicate he'll hit for average, speed, or power. Hay could probably be a contributor but likely as a platoon guy. Jackson doesn't play enough defense to be a SS. If Brent Hillman can keep the ball in the park he could be a really nice pitcher, I had him on my radar about the same time he was picked.
I didn't like much of rocky's picks. Edger is a guy who I'm jsut not sure about because his offensive profile doesn't indicate he'll hit for average, speed, or power. Hay could probably be a contributor but likely as a platoon guy. Jackson doesn't play enough defense to be a SS. If Brent Hillman can keep the ball in the park he could be a really nice pitcher, I had him on my radar about the same time he was picked.
Minnesota Twins
Grade: B+
Best Pick: OF Cristian Belasquez (31st Overal)
Sullivan at 16 has some tremendous hitting vitals. He's never going to be an elite fielder but he could potentially be a destructively good offensive player. Belasquez is going to have limited contact but he could be a good fielder with a good bat from the left side. Zamora is a nice switch hitting 3B that might be able to hit enough to make up for his defense. Salls and Standard might be an ideal platoon down the road.
Sullivan at 16 has some tremendous hitting vitals. He's never going to be an elite fielder but he could potentially be a destructively good offensive player. Belasquez is going to have limited contact but he could be a good fielder with a good bat from the left side. Zamora is a nice switch hitting 3B that might be able to hit enough to make up for his defense. Salls and Standard might be an ideal platoon down the road.
New York Mets
Grade: B
Best Pick: 2B Clinton Harrigan (63rd Overall)
The Mets dealt out of the first two rounds to land some talent. Oses has been very good for them and it appears to have been very good value for his picks. Harrigan was good value in the third, he at least brings an elite glove to the table. Offensively it looks unclear if he'll ever be good enough to make the big leagues.
The Mets dealt out of the first two rounds to land some talent. Oses has been very good for them and it appears to have been very good value for his picks. Harrigan was good value in the third, he at least brings an elite glove to the table. Offensively it looks unclear if he'll ever be good enough to make the big leagues.
New York Yankees
Grade: D+
Best Pick: 2B Felipe Labady (46th Overall)
Auto-drafted. Labady is probably good value at that stage but not much else to say here.
Auto-drafted. Labady is probably good value at that stage but not much else to say here.
Oakland Athletics
Grade: Will not grade my clearly awesome draft.
Best Pick: RF Troy Walton (55th Overall)
Things didn't go quite as I wanted as I was hoping to land some pitchers with the extra picks I had acquired. But I moved one pick for Duffie who should be a long-term replacement for Sean Palm. Jonasen is a guy that I think has good potential to hit for power, but he was dealt for Bush to augment my rotation. The guy I think could end up being the steal of this draft is Walton. He's got a problem with his splits for sure, but I think his bat has big upside.
Things didn't go quite as I wanted as I was hoping to land some pitchers with the extra picks I had acquired. But I moved one pick for Duffie who should be a long-term replacement for Sean Palm. Jonasen is a guy that I think has good potential to hit for power, but he was dealt for Bush to augment my rotation. The guy I think could end up being the steal of this draft is Walton. He's got a problem with his splits for sure, but I think his bat has big upside.
Philadelphia Phillies
Grade: B
Best Pick: SP Ryan Harlow (1st Overall)
As I said on the pod, I think if I were in Beaufort's position I would have made the same pick. I might have traded back if there was big interest in Jones or Harlow, but if I had to choose I think Harlow has more ace upside. I'm not sure Danis is going to be much of a player and that hurts their draft considerably. I like to see something in a profile to get me excited and nothing about his does. Caylor is a nice looking third round pick - young, nice pitches, nice vitals, and might convert really well to the rotation if he chooses to. If he keeps him in the pen he might be an impact reliever.
As I said on the pod, I think if I were in Beaufort's position I would have made the same pick. I might have traded back if there was big interest in Jones or Harlow, but if I had to choose I think Harlow has more ace upside. I'm not sure Danis is going to be much of a player and that hurts their draft considerably. I like to see something in a profile to get me excited and nothing about his does. Caylor is a nice looking third round pick - young, nice pitches, nice vitals, and might convert really well to the rotation if he chooses to. If he keeps him in the pen he might be an impact reliever.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Grade: B-
Best Pick: OF Travis Holsteine (43rd Overall)
I'm not sure what to make of Gross. If he was 19 I'd like him a lot, but he's almost 22 now and I'm not sure if he'll have the time it takes to make good on what I like about him. He's a big risk at that stage of the draft. Holsteine has pretty good speed, good balance in his contact and eye, and good defense. He's a damn fine pick in the second round. There wasn't much in the later part of the draft that I was eyeing or see a lot of potential in.
I'm not sure what to make of Gross. If he was 19 I'd like him a lot, but he's almost 22 now and I'm not sure if he'll have the time it takes to make good on what I like about him. He's a big risk at that stage of the draft. Holsteine has pretty good speed, good balance in his contact and eye, and good defense. He's a damn fine pick in the second round. There wasn't much in the later part of the draft that I was eyeing or see a lot of potential in.
San Diego Padres
Grade: NA
Best Pick: None
Decker dealt all his picks for cash and some extra talent for his team, nothing much to say here.
Decker dealt all his picks for cash and some extra talent for his team, nothing much to say here.
San Francisco Giants
Grade: B
Best Pick: C Tony Brear (8th Overall)
I like Tony Brear quite a bit. He's a lefty hitter with good pop, great defense, and young enough to have time to develop. I know Brear hasn't gotten a lot of love since the draft but he really is a good player and Vertigo made an excellent pick. Taborda is a guy with serious HR problems and not much to like in my opinion. Wilkins looks like a nice gamble as a late round reliever and Giancola is a very interesting looking infielder for a mid round pick.
I like Tony Brear quite a bit. He's a lefty hitter with good pop, great defense, and young enough to have time to develop. I know Brear hasn't gotten a lot of love since the draft but he really is a good player and Vertigo made an excellent pick. Taborda is a guy with serious HR problems and not much to like in my opinion. Wilkins looks like a nice gamble as a late round reliever and Giancola is a very interesting looking infielder for a mid round pick.
Seattle Mariners
Grade: B
Best Pick: SP Alan Giddings (95th Overall)
Seattle got good value in trading picks for Todd Abrahams and Jay Amery before the draft. His fourth rounder Giddings is a player that looks like he could be a pretty interesting contributor if things go well for him. A few of his other late round players had some potential as well.
Seattle got good value in trading picks for Todd Abrahams and Jay Amery before the draft. His fourth rounder Giddings is a player that looks like he could be a pretty interesting contributor if things go well for him. A few of his other late round players had some potential as well.
St. Louis Cardinals
Grade: A-
Best Pick: SS Tony Waits (50th Overall)
I'm not as high on Evans as many others, I just don't think he's going to hit for much pop but he was a good pick nonetheless. Waits was a phenomenal pick, I thought I could get him with my pick a few later but he jumped that pick on me. He's a switch hitter with great speed, a good bat, and decent enough defense. I think his floor is really high and if he gets anywhere close to a 90 overall player he's going to be elite. Gaines was my second favorite SS in this draft and he sniped him as well. He might not stick at SS but he's got a nice bat from the left side.
I'm not as high on Evans as many others, I just don't think he's going to hit for much pop but he was a good pick nonetheless. Waits was a phenomenal pick, I thought I could get him with my pick a few later but he jumped that pick on me. He's a switch hitter with great speed, a good bat, and decent enough defense. I think his floor is really high and if he gets anywhere close to a 90 overall player he's going to be elite. Gaines was my second favorite SS in this draft and he sniped him as well. He might not stick at SS but he's got a nice bat from the left side.
Tampa Bay Rays
Grade: C
Best Pick: RP Oliver Conley (96th Overall)
Tampa dealt out of the upper half of the draft to land Musgrove, Poe, and others to keep their run going that started last year. Conley was an interesting choice and could be a roleplayer down the line. Overall the impact of their trades on their playoff future is what will decide their grade.
Tampa dealt out of the upper half of the draft to land Musgrove, Poe, and others to keep their run going that started last year. Conley was an interesting choice and could be a roleplayer down the line. Overall the impact of their trades on their playoff future is what will decide their grade.
Texas Rangers
Grade: B-
Best Pick: SP Eddie Resado (36th Overall)
Texas dealt some picks for Todd Kiel - a very powerful hitter that is doing fine for them down there. Their second rounder went to Eddie Resado, a young pitcher with great control and a high GB%. That's a damn fine recipe for a starter and I'm intrigued to see how he develops. Eatmon is young enough to be a useful bat down the line if his contact is a bit suspect.
Grade: B-
Best Pick: SP Eddie Resado (36th Overall)
Texas dealt some picks for Todd Kiel - a very powerful hitter that is doing fine for them down there. Their second rounder went to Eddie Resado, a young pitcher with great control and a high GB%. That's a damn fine recipe for a starter and I'm intrigued to see how he develops. Eatmon is young enough to be a useful bat down the line if his contact is a bit suspect.
Toronto Blue Jays
Grade: C+
Best Pick: SP Efrain Martinez (54th Overall)
I'm not sure Cloyd was a great use of a pick but they added some talent to a team they were trying to squeeze out one last run with. I like Martinez a bit as a late second round pick. He has some nice features to his profile and could pan out fairly well. Otherwise there wasn't much in Corey's draft that I liked.
I'm not sure Cloyd was a great use of a pick but they added some talent to a team they were trying to squeeze out one last run with. I like Martinez a bit as a late second round pick. He has some nice features to his profile and could pan out fairly well. Otherwise there wasn't much in Corey's draft that I liked.
Washington Nationals
Grade: C
Best Pick: RP Ethan Stokes (91st Overall)
I made my thoughts on Brown pretty clear on the podcast, I think he's awful. Perelsa looks alright, but not as good as many that were still on the board. I liked Stokes a lot as a fourth round pick. He's 17, great GB%, and plenty of room to grow. He's got some similar problems to Brown but at a three round discount.
I made my thoughts on Brown pretty clear on the podcast, I think he's awful. Perelsa looks alright, but not as good as many that were still on the board. I liked Stokes a lot as a fourth round pick. He's 17, great GB%, and plenty of room to grow. He's got some similar problems to Brown but at a three round discount.
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