TheBigKahuna0
2023 JJL Draft Recap
January 19, 2017 at 07:35PM View formatted
You are viewing the raw post code; this allows you to copy a message with BBCode formatting intact.
Back again because this is a pretty fun article to write. Especially this draft since it was a good one. Top two picks were obvious home runs and there were enough gems sprinkled throughout the rest of the first round to qualify this as the deepest draft we've had in a while. Pitching was the obvious priority, leading to some good position players left for the end of the draft.
As always this is totally my opinion and I'm always up for hearing disagreements. In a few years we'll have to start digging at the results to see if I know what I'm talking about.
1) Philadelphia Athletics - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?player=nobody&mode=stats&id=12373751]Marty Robertson[/url] - SP
Hard to argue with a top of the rotation starter at #1 overall. Robertson already proved his worth with a 1 run complete game in his debut and should be a force for the A's for a long time. The only knock on this pick is that the #2 pick could eventually be better but a ready to rock starter that doesn't require CP's is the better fit for a team stuffed with prospects.
ETA: Now
Upside: Staff ace for next 13 years.
Downside: Staff ace for next 12 years.
Pick Grade: A+
2) Los Angeles Stars - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?player=nobody&mode=stats&id=12373765]Don Rickles[/url] - SP
The best young rotation in the league just got even better. Rickles fell to #2 only because Robertson was ready to contribute today. Just 17 years old, Rickles already has a B- overall rating and projects to A+ control with velocity that could touch the A- range. He'll be a capable mid-rotation starter by 20 and will fight with Carson and Youngman for #1 on the chart.
ETA: 2027
Upside: Staff ace with multiple Cy Young awards
Downside: Strong #2/3 starter - still takes at least one Cy Young
Pick Grade: A+
3) Pittsburgh Chosen Ones - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373806]Jerry Ely[/url] - SS
While this draft was pretty deep and had some obvious selections, the #3 slot was a tough one. After the top two, there was no clear third selection leaving most of the board open for Pittsburgh. The one chosen was shortstop Jerry Ely who has a good bat and glove for his age. He projects as a solid contact hitter but will lack the top speed desired at leadoff. Still, if he can get on base and lock down a premium position on defense, this should be a good selection.
ETA: 2028
Upside: Everyday shortstop and leadoff man. All-star selections and batting titles common
Downside: Bat doesn't perform in major league action and ends up a part time or backup player
Pick Grade: B-
4) Cleveland Tomahawk Chops - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373755]John Peterson[/url] - SP
Cleveland reached into the draft pool and snagged another control freak for their rotation. Peterson was the most advanced arm in the draft outside of Robertson. After a year of development he could match fellow starters Murray Snell and Jack Holloman with C/A+ ratings. As with the #3 pick, there were plenty of acceptable options and this was the right call if pitching was on the menu. However, Cleveland did lead plenty of lineup options to the rest of the first round that may have been better picks for the franchise's aging roster.
ETA: 2024
Upside: A+ control carries him to the #1 rotation spot and he contends for all-star appearances.
Downside: C velocity makes it seem like he's throwing softballs and he's just a serviceable 3-4 starter
Pick Grade: C+
5) Minnesota Massacre - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373753]Keith Good[/url] - LF
Minnesota went with the top amateur hitter available selecting Keith Good and his high contact ability vs right handers. Other than covering a lot of ground in the outfield that's about the end of his abilities. He has C speed and a weak swing against lefties. He went 0-4 in the bigs over 1 start and 2 pinch hit appearances before getting demoted. He'll likely spend a chunk of the season the minors but could emerge as a platoon partner. Selecting a platoon partner at #5 in this draft looks like a reach.
ETA: 2024
Upside: Swings well vs right handers and establishes himself in a platoon
Downside: Rides the bench and earns his value as a backup to all three outfield positions
Pick Grade: D
6) Colorado Stegosaurus - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373816]Doug Rand[/url] - 2B
This turned out to be a good spot for Colorado. The ancient reptiles already have a strong rotation and doesn't have much need for a ready to go prospect. With the top pitchers and ready to go bats off the board, Rand finds his way in Jurassic Park as a high powered prospect. The 17 year old is one of the best at his age in terms of power and drew comparisons to fellow draftee Tom Ladd. While Ladd has an even better power stroke, Rand was the 17 year old of choice due to his better speed and defensive ability.
ETA: 2028
Upside: A+ power and enough range to hold down second base
Downside: Contact lags too far back and he can't quite range for second base. Ends up at 1B or corner outfield blasting home runs with a .220 avg
Pick Grade: B+
7) Chicago Beagles - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373771]Doc Cotter[/url] - SP
Starting here, 4 of the next 5 picks are pitchers. As stated above, the top flight talent was already picked clean leaving second tier options. Cotter is the first of those options at B-/C+ an 21 years old. Given a couple of years to develop, he could push into B+/B territory but that's not going to make an exciting 23 year old rookie. With a few good bats still on the board, this is a reach for another pitcher on a team with a bright future on the mound but plenty of questions in the lineup.
ETA: 2026
Upside: Mid-rotation starter
Downside: Long reliever
Pick Grade: C-
8) Cincinnati Blackened Blowfish - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373782]Dave Gardner[/url] - SP
#2 in the mid-first round pitching run, Gardner is close in terms of talent to the prior selection. At C/B- and 20 years old, he has some developing to do and a decent amount of time to get it done. The Blowfish get some slack for reaching here as they don't have the pitching depth the Beagles have, but they too left some good lineup options on the board. Given 3 years to develop, Gardner does have a good shot at being useful as he could be as good as B/A-. That is a typical floor for a mid-first round pick.
ETA: 2026
Upside: #2/3 starter
Downside: Middle relief
Pick Grade: B-
9) Boston Red Sox - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373758]Randy Marrero[/url] - SP
The third selection of the pitching reach run, Marrero is a combination of Cotter and Gardner and surprisingly fell past them in the draft. Marrero is the oldest of the 3 at 22 years old and has the best stuff. He stands at C+/B so he needs a year or two in the minors and could debut as late as 24 years old. The Sox have some young pitching but clearly felt the need to snag another one. As with the previous 2 picks and the next one, there's still better overall talent available but they did pick the best of the available arms.
ETA: 2025
Upside: Mid-rotation starter
Downside: #5 starter/long reliever
Pick Grade: B
10) Washington Halos - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373770]Ed Castillo[/url] - SP
Castillo is the 4th pitcher in a row selected in the first round and there is clearly a need in Washington. Castillo represents 50% of the pitching prospects in the Halo system and is the only starter. At B+/C- and 22 years old, the Halos need Castillo to be close to C control in order to have a shot at being useful. He's a gamble but could be a useful piece for a team with CP's to spare.
ETA: 2025
Upside: Late rotation starter
Downside: Fringe major leaguer
Pick Grade: C
11) Detroit Robots - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373819]Tom Ladd[/url] - LF
With so many pitching needy teams ahead of the Robots, they lucked out with Tom Ladd falling into their laps. Arguably the best teenage hitter in the draft, Ladd will have no problem reaching A+ power. His C range contact projects well too and likely fell out of favor due to his poor speed (D) and lack of defensive ability. He'll meet the stereotype of plodding first basemen or left fielder who makes up for poor defense with 40+ home runs a year. Detroit really needs young pitching, but surely will accept this young power hitter with open arms.
ETA: 2027
Upside: Middle of the lineup thumper
Downside: Either hits a home run or gets thrown out a first by any outfielder
Pick Grade: A
12) Brooklyn Atlantics - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373756]Doug Reardon[/url] - SP
Reardon comes off the board to Brooklyn with decent stuff at an advanced prospect age of 23. He'll be the last pitcher of the first round the last taken until Brooklyn picks again at 28. At B+/C+ he could be close to ready to rock. He lacks the ceiling of the prospects selected ahead of him but has a higher floor. In the worst-case scenario, Brooklyn can sit on Reardon for a few years and bring him up as an old rookie. Brooklyn is more likely to hope for a contribution sooner as their championship window is wide open.
ETA: 2025
Upside: Spot starter/Mid Reliever
Downside: Occasional callup for injury
Pick Grade: C
13) Seattle Steelheads - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373752]Tamaichi Takahashi[/url] - 1B
Seattle currently lacks CP's, has nearly no bench and missed out on top flight prospects picking at #13. All of that leads Takahashi being the #13 overall pick. Typically first rounders are expected to be some kind of building block for a team even when picked in the 2nd half of the round. In this case, the Steelheads have an 32 year old bat that will ride the bench. The fit is right, but the pick is uninspiring.
ETA: Now
Upside: A+ pop for the bench and occational start fits the bill for Seattle
Downside: Retires in a couple of years after minimal impact
Pick Grade: D+
14) Miami Yams - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373850]Herm Beattie[/url] - SS
The Yams managed a pretty good pick all the way down there at #14. Beattie has plus power for a 17 year old although he lacks any speed or defensive ability. His bat alone will get him up to the big leagues in time. He'll do it at a non-premium position (possible 3B) but will make up for it with his hitting ability.
ETA: 2027
Upside: Middle of the order power hitting infielder
Downside: Struggles to outhit other players at power positions, ends on the bench and starting a few years in his prime
Pick Grade: A
15) Kansas City Monarchs - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373793]Herman McDill[/url] - 3B
The Monarchs picked from the best available and end up with an 18 year old high contact prospect. McDill will be ready for big league lefties as soon as hi 20th birthday and his swing against right handers won't be too far behind. His tumble is likely due to his total lack of power. He'll be a slap hitter in the bigs while lacking top speed. Defensively he won't stick at third as his high range/weak arm combo looks better at First, Second or Center. Given the available talent, KC did well here to get a piece that could be useful in the future.
ETA: 2026
Upside: Solid 7/8 hitter while covering a lot of CF ground
Downside: Slap bench bat backing up all over the field
Pick Grade: A-
16) Cleveland Tomahawk Chops - [url=http://simdynasty.com/player.jsp?mode=player&playername=nobody&id=12373760]Sam Shaw[/url] - CF
Cleveland acquired this pick from St. Louis during the season and unfortunately ended up the last pick of the round. Shaw is a 20 year old with a good swing against lefties and great range. His slip in the draft was due to his C-/B ratings vs right handers. No doubt he could have a future as a platoon partner and he could be deadly as a pinch hitter when facing a lefty reliever. It's hard to argue that Shaw isn't the best player left on the board at this point in the draft.
ETA: 2025
Upside: Platoons vs lefties and ends up good enough for a full time role in his prime
Downside: Bench bat specializing against lefties
Pick Grade: B+