I think I'll wait until after the draft to evaluate the relative strength of each team's minors. I did go back and regrade the 2005 draft. I was looking for players that have made top prospect lists, project to be high draft pciks or established themselves in the majors. I don't know if Tom has a way to find the grades I gave after the draft. I'd be curious how much they changed. These grades are subjective with an average grade being a C.
A= multiple current or future regular major leaguers and likely to have at least one all-star
I am still very skeptical of Taveras' value but he did play every day for hou and was a ROY candidate. Zimmerman is a future all-star and made it all the way to the show. He will be DC's 3b for a decde. Chaucin was by far the best 8th rd pick with 30+ quality starts for Tor.
rated prospects- k drabek (2), k suzuki (3), h pence(5)
I still believe that morales will have an impact bat. The other prospects should all make it to the bigs. I think Drabek is the most likely to become a regular.
Kinsler will get his shot to be the rangers 2b and I project a >270 15 hr performance from him. Einertson was a major disappointment and needs to reestablish his prospect value this season. I like both of those pitchers and Evenland looks to be a decent reliever.
Newhan is an old utilty guy who had a decent season in 04 and is unlikely to repeat it. DC wants Bray to be the lh setup for the cheif. I think he will get there.
Dewitt will need a position change in the laoded LAD system but I think he has the bat to pay anywhere. Gonzalez was as advertised a decent lh reliever. Ely struck gold with Bruce who should be an impact OF.
top picks- J Capellan (1), E Asatcio (1), R Martin(1)
rated prospects- J Fiorentino (2), J Jay (8)
major leaguer- capellan, esatcio
Ftw had 3 number 1s and has to be a little disappointed in how they turned out. The 3rd number 1, Martin, may end up being the best of the bunch. I still think there is hope for Astacio and Capellan but I think it will be in the bullpen.
top picks- J Papelbon (1), R Robnett (1), J Herrera (1)
rated prospects- C Tiffany (2), T Lincecum (6), T Crowe (7), R Romero (8)
major leaguer- Papelbon, Y Bentancourt (9)
On draft day, I had this rated as the top draft. I still believe that more regular major leaguers will come out of this team's draft than any other ARBA team. Papelbon and Herrera have allstar potential.
Gordon is a definite stud if he doesn't get lost in the black hole of Royals baseball. I really like the other prospects lsited above but want to see them show their talent against higher level competion.
Wise had a nice year. I doubt that he will repeat it, but he may have found his niche in midd;e relief. Eldred show flashes of power and will have a shot at the 1b job in Pitt.
Hey! Chris Ianetta (Col) is a real prospect! Carvajal spent the year in the majors and a few others still have potential. However, I have to agree that this was a terrible draft. No picks in the first 4 rounds and having to move on the day of the draft certainly didn't help. Proxy drafter Tomlinson consistently just happened to Marcus Sanders and others just before I had them listed. Hmmmmmmmmmm....
Oh well, we're ready to bounce back strong with 6 picks in rounds 2-4 and and 9 more in round 5-8. I'll probably end up drafting a few more one year cards though. I wouldn't be quite so desperate to win this year if some inferior team hadn't upset us last year...<sigh>