Another season, another draft. And like every other season, there were winners and losers. I'm going to attempt to break down the first round, spending a fair amount of time with the top 10, and a bit less time with the other 23 picks. I have $20M in both high school and college scouting, so the projections I see for unsigned guys should be fairly accurate. If not, blow me.
1 -- Bud Perez (Durham, RF): Bud has a long ways to go before he hits his projections, being 40 points off of his overall rating. But he's only 18, and has plenty of time to get there, so if he's handled with kid gloves and isn't rushed, he has the potential to be a real superstar at the plate. 90+ in power, vR, and batting eye, with 80 in vL, his only downside is his contact rating, which is a hair below 60. And with durability and health both projecting to 90+, he's going to be a healthy, everyday type guy. What's not to like?
2 -- Joel Matthews (Minnesota, SP): The first of four consecutive pitchers selected, Joel is the rumored cousin of Chris Matthews. Three solid pitches, a cannon for an arm, and outstanding ratings in the control and vR categories, the younger Matthews has the potential to live up to the standards set by his older cousin. Yes, I just changed it from a rumor to a fact. Joel's stamina and durability won't get him to the 9th inning very often, but I will bet that he hands a lead to the bullpen more often than not. A very solid pick.
3 -- Chuck Whitfield (New Orleans, SP): Outstanding stamina, control and velocity, this guy is going to rack up a ton of innings and strikeouts. His win total might be up for debate though, unless New Orleans can right the ship. His splits aren't the greatest, and they might be his downfall, but for now he looks like a great pick in that number three slot.
4 -- Randy Matthews (Detroit, RP): NOT the cousin of Christ Matthews, Randy is the next great closer in BPF. Well, maybe. If he doesn't go back for his senior year in college, and if he can hit his projections (he's already 21). Can he get the innings that he needs in order to hit those projections? Maybe. If he gets there, he'll be great, but for now he's something of a question mark.
5 -- Alex Vazquez (Richmond, SP): Above average, but not great, Vazquez has good ratings just about everywhere. And that makes him very boring to write about. His only potential flaws are his lack of quality pitches and his sub-par health. Overall, he's a solid pick. He'll strikeout a ton of guys, he'll win a bunch of games, and he might end up being the best pitcher from this first group.
6 -- Daryl Hawksworth (Scottsdale, IF): I had to list him as "infielder," because I don't know where he'll end up playing. His range makes it tough to play him anywhere up the middle, so I would probably play him at 3B, but that's me, and I'm borderline retarded. As it is, I don't know how this guy slipped to the 6th spot. Great defensive ratings, speed, a huge bat, and he'll be an everyday guy. Did the 60-ish health and batting eye and contact scare everyone away? I love him. I want to have his baby.
7 -- Josh Little (Las Vegas, SP): This is the first pick that really baffled me. Vegas had a ton of money in scouting, and a great slot to pick from, yet they picked an average pitcher, whose demands start around $6.75M, and he's undecided anyway. Did Vegas see something we didn't with this guy? Or are they hoping to just get a pick next year after this guy doesn't sign? Who knows? What I do know is that Little has two amazing pitches, but then everything else is just average. I'll be curious to see how this plays out.
8 -- Sal Rigdon (Milwaukee, 2B): I love this pick for the Ueckers. The team doesn't have a stud 2B anywhere in the system, and Rigdon is the answer. A great defensive player, he will put a ton of balls in play, and already has a bunch of speed. He's gonna be good.
9 -- Randy Capps (Hartford, CF/IF): Listed as a SS, but will probably end up at CF or 3B or 2B. Very good defensively, and has a ton of speed. Durability is a bit of a concern, as is his ability at the plate. But with the way this game is turning into one where defense and speed rules, Capps could end up being very useful.
10 -- Kory Lombard (Burlington, SP): Outstanding stamina and control, Lombard will eat up a ton of innings for Burlington. Above average splits and a couple of solid pitches, Lombard ain't bad for the 10th pick.
The rest will hopefully come later.
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