This years look at the first round picks. I rated the player to the position they were drafted in most cases. The organizational grade encompasses all of the teams picks for the first 5 rounds and is rather subjective. Some things I take into consideration is: SP-ML quality pitching in the first 2 rounds. RP-ML quality through the 4th round. Position Players-ML through 2nd round after is defensive bench quality. So, if a SP is taken in the 3rd round, of course he isn't going to be ML quality most of the time and means there was a better player to be taken, which means it will lower the grade. I do not consider an iffy pick that much after the supplemental to be that bad unless there is more than one.
1. Russ Neal , Pittsburgh: Unknown
Defense:
Physical:
Hitting:
Organization:
2. Pete Crosby, Toledo: Exceptional power hitting 1B, could be at ML level in 2 years or less.
Defense: B: Glove could be stronger
Physical: A:
Hitting: A+:
Organization: A: Though not enamored with the 4th round pick and the 2 iffies
3. Steve Sullivan, Santa Cruz: Would be better at 2B, moved directly to the ML level, probably not a bad move either.
Defense: A: Could play somewhat weak CF also
Physical: A:
Hitting: A:
Organization: C: depends on the 3rd round pick that wants too much maybe
4. Yamil Castro , Little Rock: My scouts were high on him, will probably sign after a time.
Defense: A:
Physical: B: patience could be a problem
Pitching: A
Organization: B: The 5th round pick was probably a disaster.
5. Tito Parkers, Philadelphia: A plate monster at bat that will make opposing pitchers cringe, behind the plate hometown pitchers will cringe, could be a good trade off.
Defense: D
Physical: B-: Makeup could be a problem
Hitting: A++:
Organization: B: I really liked the 2nd pick
6. Danny Woodson , Pawtucket: Unknown
Defense:
Physical: :
Hitting: :
Organization:
7. Buddy Campbell, Scottsdale: Power hitting LF, my scouts really liked him as did I.
Defense: A:
Physical: A: Makeup could be a problem
Hitting: A+:
Organization: C: The 2nd pick may have hurt
8. Orlando Mendoza, Charlotte: Good control, excellent splits, pitches could be better.
Defense: C: Bad bunt defense
Physical: B: Durability drags this down
Pitching: B:
Organization: B: Taking 4 pitchers that have potential
9. Nolan Ball, Seattle: Will probably sign. My scouts liked him a lot.
Defense: A:
Physical: A+:
Pitching: A+:
Organization: A: 4 pretty nice picks. Who would draft anybody named Dummy?
10. Alfredo Strickland, New York: Outstanding control and splits, decent pitches.
Defense: C: Not sure he can catch a ball except from the catcher
Physical: B-: Durability and patience could be a problem.
Pitching: A+:
Organization: B: 5 pretty good players
11. Diego Park, Atlanta: Very nice power hitting RF, defense could be a problem.
Defense: B: Glove could cause him to be moved to 1B.
Physical: A: Nice speed, but could be hampered by patience
Hitting: A:
Organization: C: Very nice 2nd pick, but goes downhill from there
12. Ronnie White, Washington: Outstanding power hitting 1B, the worst part is that he could be ML ready next season.
Defense: A:
Physical: A:
Hitting: A+:
Organization: A: 5 very nice picks
13. Onan Tabaka, Monterrey: Nice power hitting 1B.
Defense: A:
Physical: A:
Hitting: A+:
Organization: B: U who..sign your players
14. Sterling Waters, Texas Chili,
Defense: A:
Physical: C:
Pitching: C:
Organization: F: Spending little on scouting shows.
15. Rex Maxwell, Florida: unknown
Defense: :
Physical: :
Hitting: :
Organization: C: Giving up 2nd round pick drags them down
16. Gerald Stevens, Milwaukee: Quality number 3 starter for the future.
Defense: B:
Physical: B: Makeup could be a small problem
Pitching: B:
Organization: C: 2nd pick was a stretch.
17. Morgan Tewksbury, Richmond, Chances are he will sign soon. Good control, decent splits and 4 good pitches.
Defense: B: won't pick anybody off first.
Physical: A:
Pitching: A:
Organization: C: Having 8 picks in the first 5 rounds was a bonus. Drafting quality pitching was a good move but not with health issues. With the 5th and 6th pick looking the best to go with the first pick didn't help the overall.
18. Jimmie Cruz, Las Vegas: Chances are he will sign. Looks like a beast of a closer
Defense: A:
Physical: A:
Pitching: A+:
Organization: C: The 2nd pick may be a good DH, the pitchers are a reach.
19. Cesar Gandarillas, Toronto: A Power DH and maybe a weak emergency catcher.
Defense: D:
Physical: A: Makeup could be a problem
Hitting: A+:
Organization: C: The 2nd pick looks real good, but the pitchers and another DH..err catcher, wasn't.
20. Bernard Strickland, Boston: A very nice strike 'em out closer.
Defense: B:
Physical: A: Makeup could be a problem
Pitching: A+:
Organization: B: First three picks were pretty good.
21. John Ogden, Oakland: Nice reliever.
Defense: B:
Physical: A: Patience could be a problem
Pitching: A:
Organization: B: Went all out to strengthen the bull pen.
22. Theo Brandt, Syracuse: A little weak in control, but splits and pitches make up for that lack. Could be a great pitcher if he stays healthy.
Defense: A:
Physical: D: Health and Patience could be a huge concern
Pitching: A:
Organization: C: Liked the later picks more than the first three.
23. Hipolito Camacho, Cheyenne: I liked this kid a lot, didn't expect him to fall this far down.
Defense: F: A GG he won't be and could cost him a game or two.
Physical: A:
Pitching: A:
Organization: C: Drafting this late, pitching becomes tough to draft late in the rounds.
24. Juan Borbon, Austin: The first pick that really may not sign or if he does it will be real late. Although he has good pitching stats, Austin may not sign him anyway due to health problems according to my scouts anyway (though my scouting wasn't the greatest).
Defense: A:
Physical: C: Health issues
Pitching: B:
Organization: D: Taking chances and they want lots of money, are they worth it?
25. Eduardo Soriano, Chicago: Taking an iffy pick in the late first round is probably a good idea, but not this iffy.
Defense: ?: A SS or 3B could be a reach
Physical: B: Health could be a problem
Hitting: A:
Organization: C: Nothing to write home about and they are not signed either, even though the 3rd pick looks pretty good to me.
26. Ivan Hill, Honolulu: A very good value pick for a late first round pick and surprised he went this low. He was on my top 10 list as a 3B.
Defense: A: For 3B
Physical: B+:
Hitting: B:
Organization: B: Did a good job getting position player help.
27. Ellie Fox, Vancouver: Not a bad SP for the late round.
Defense: A:
Physical: A:
Pitching: B: vsL could be better and better 3rd pitch
Organization: D: Trying to find pitching that wasn't there.
28. Rich MacFarlane, Augusta: A very nice reliever that probably shouldn't have fell this low.
Defense: B: Glove, that thing used to catch a ball with
Physical: A:
Pitching: A:
Organization: B: Some very nice picks
29. Mac Romero, Boise: A defensive hitting catcher, though not very good in the pitch calling department.
Defense: B: pitch calling could be better
Physical: B: Health is an issue, but catchers are not picked on much but not immune.
Hitting: B:
Organization: C: Nothing outstanding, nothing real bad.
30. Virgil Jackson, Chicago: The second pick of the round and remains unsigned with just cause maybe.
Defense: B: barely makes 2B glove but has outstanding range.
Physical: B: Health issues but makeup may help
Hitting: B+:
31. Rob Kingland, Helena: How did a SP with this quality fall this far in the draft? He wasn't on my board for one.
Defense: B: May not pick anybody off 1B.
Physical: A:
Pitching: A:
Organization: B: Drafting late and picking up good talent
32. Rafael Mendez, Nashville: Scoring late with a nice reliever.
Defense: B:
Physical: A:
Pitching: B:
Organization: C: Drafting last and not bad talent pickups.
41. Henry Grudzielanek, Charleston: Not having a first round pick, but scores a decent pick in the supplemental.
Defense: B: Weak in range but will catch the ball if he gets to it.
Physical: A:
Hitting: B-: Weak vsR
Organization: C: 2nd and 4th pick look pretty good though unsigned yet.
