I will be posting my annual draft report cards over next coming week. They are my personal opinions and should be taken for exactly what they are worth. Which is roughly zero. An average draft grade is a C.
Top Pick- Christian Santana Tex 7th rd 189th overall
complete draft- B Posey FSU, M Lemon HS, J Adkins TEN
assesment: It's difficult to grab someone in teresting when you don't make your first selection until the 7th rd. Maybe one of these guys will become useful, but I doubt it.
player profile- Longoria is hands down the best hitter available in the draft and should be the 1st position player selected in june.
assesment- Longoria was a really nice pick with the 3rd overall selection but I was a little surprised that Art passed on Tabata of the yanks. I guess Art didn't want to have to root for a yankee prospect. I think Hernandez has some nice upside as well and the bonus for Art is that he is a Met.
draft- S Martis SFO, S Gallagher CHN, W Inman MIL, S Lindsay Col, C Denorfia Cin, A Salome Mil, J Resko Fla, C Valbuena Mil, M Capps Pit
player profile- Erbe is a very hard thrower and is the classic high ceiling prospect. If he avoids injury and gains control of his 95+ mph fastball he will move to an upper echelon prospect.
assesment- Erbe was drafted higher than i had him rated but has the tools to justify the pick. Martis had a nice run in the WBC and there are some interesting names on this draft list. This grade will go higher if Erbe fulfills his promise.
draft- B Jones Atl, N Hendley SD, S West Fla, T Kennelly Pitt, B Johnson LAD, C Fermaint Mil, J Cuevas Atl, D Kopp Clem, J Jurrens Det, M Melacon UMia, M Kirkman Tex
player profile- I thought Garza was a 1st rd talent and he proved with a solid spring camp. I expect he will become the top pitcher of a very talented group of Min pitching prospects.
assesment: Garza should become the Min's #2 sp behind Liriano. Whi also grabbed up a lot of talent in the later rounds. I really like Hendley, West and likely June 1st rd Melacon.
I'm glad to see that "Mel" Bernard hasn't hung up his pompadour after all. The draft grades live on! I'm feeling pretty good about my drafts this year, so hopefully Mel won't crush my spirits with another lousy grade. Let's just pretend that the 2005 draft never happened...I wasn't there anyway.
