DRAFT RESULTS
Our first draft with our new focus! Despite trading away our 3rd round pick and selling our 2nd, we managed to have five picks in the first four rounds by way of our fire sale. We snagged 1-14 (among others) in our deal with Cairo and got a 2nd and 4th from Moscow when we shipped out Muli and Amore. I won't look past the fifth round, as I believe every thing past that are various levels of lottery tickets. FWIW, I made every selection in the first nine rounds before I figured the lottery tickets were more likely to get cut.
9th overall:
Greg Crosby, 2B: Crosby is a four-time college all-star, coming off his best season yet - 5.3 WARS WON as well as being named the all star game MVP. He checks all the boxes, although he isn't elite at anything. A college shortstop, I will be moving him to second base where I think he'll transition to a + glove. Average contact with a great avoid K and solid speed, he'll hit for a decent average with some pop for the middle infield (60 gap, 55 power). A clubhouse leader, as well. There's not much to dislike about Crosby, other than his relatively low ceiling. He has a very high floor, however, and a solid player for ninth overall.
Other considerations: a bunch of catchers. I had three on my list to watch with little to separate them. With us having another pick just five spots later, I figured one would fall to me.
14th: TRADED for 22 and
Francisco Castillo, C.
@OU11 had mentioned to a few people about trading up, and Castillo was someone mentioned as the best defensive catcher earlier in this thread by
@Travis7401, so I had my eye on him. It was an easy deal for me to make as I thought Castillo was more well-rounded than any of the catchers I was choosing from. I was also able to get the 22nd overall pick.
Other considerations: again, the catchers.
22nd:
Hedeon Yarusov, 3B: Yarusov is a former first round pick by
@doh out of high school, who has declined since then. Still, he has an adequate bat, ++ speed, and a ++ glove at the corner. High loyalty and high intelligence with a solid, if unspectacular, college career. About what you'd expect out of a second round pick. And like Crosby, he's a high floor guy. My only concern is that I drafted
someone very similar in the second round last year and he's done very well in AA. Yarusov looks to be the better player, but its close.
Other considerations: Brock Newton, a catcher later taken by
@ebarws6, was my top rated catcher and was nearly my choice at 9, would've been my pick at 14 if I hadn't traded it, and was still available here. I almost pulled the trigger anyways, but Newton's personality was ultimately the deciding factor.
31st:
Roger Mossop, CF: Mossop is a ++ fielder at all three outfield spots as well as 3B. His average contact, eye, and avoid eye as well as + speed should translate to a respectable to bat that pairs well with his glove. A great fourth outfielder who has the potential to be a starter at any position - his highest upside will be at center, but he'll likely see time in the minors at all three.
Other considerations: Ivo Paramos, later a Buffalo selection, was my second choice. My concern with Paramos was that he might not have the range to be a + fielder at short, and I didn't want to draft another second baseman.
63rd:
Bernalldo Colmiero, SP: Colmiero is a weird prospect: undrafted after a poor high school career, he rides the bench at Delaware for three years before finally playing this past season, putting up decent numbers. His potential is great for a fourth round starting pitcher, but his ratings are not where they should be at age 20. Still, a lefty with 70 stamina and 59% GB, with 55, 50, 50 potential and three pitches is good value here.
Other considerations: My second choice fell to me at 67, see below.
67th:
Geraldo Balsamo, SP: Balsamo has a similar potential to Colmiero - 50 across the board, lefty, with three well-developed pitches. A four year starter, but unimpressive stats. Being nearly fully at his potential (50, 45, 45 current ratings), he should've put up better numbers. That's the risk here. But if he actually plays at his ratings, he has a chance to fill that "6th starter/long relief" role.
Other considerations: Weirdly, no pitchers were taken between this and my 5th rounder, so again we got our second choice.
81st: Takuma Takahashi, SP: Another SP with respectable potential. In retrospect, I think I was so focused on getting a couple pitchers that I missed the better pick, which I talk about below. Takahashi is ur typical AAAA pitcher, with a not so great personality.
Other considerations: De Hoan is the guy I should've taken. A ++ shortstop who could also be a fourth outfielder. Hoan could be, fairly easily, developed into a do-it-all utility guy. Nice one,
@fignuts
This was a top heavy draft that, unfortunately, we missed out of the GOATs. Still, we acquire four players who should contribute, if not start, within three seasons at the majors in Crosby, Castillo, Yarusov, and Mossop.