2061 Shark Bites TN No. 1 - Draft Day

[thatboynicecoast]

It's a bit cluttered around here.

Jim Leyritz's family portrait is still on the desk. I'm pretty sure that's Lane's dirty laundry in the corner (did he live here?) And Chuck V's golf clubs are knocked over in the closet. I haven't had time to clean up just yet, but everything unclaimed will be tossed when I do. Except for Leyritz's family photo. I think I'll keep that.

Stepping into the full-time General Manager job two weeks into the season didn't leave me much acclimation time. In fact, it dropped me squarely into the GBC Draft. Lane did a fine job in the interim over the offseason and handled the first set of picks for us while I was able to handle the rest.

A shocking fact for you: the draft is important. It's even more important in the GBC where short term contracts, little talent disparity and significant front office turnover has lead to a dead trade market. Therefore, not only is the draft itself important, but it's important to know who and where we are in this world. Development is key and there's no greater sign of that than seeing our successes in BBA uniforms.

Think Mohammed Bin Mus'ad. The 2053 first round pick is one of the very, very few early round draft success stories this ball club has had over the last 10 years. Bin Mus'ad gave us 24.5 WAR in seven seasons and put up a career-high .909 OPS in 2060 before graduating to the Rocky Mountain Oysters.

We need more of that and the draft is where it starts.

The second pillar of our draft strategy is building competent and complimentary depth. For us, that means an emphasis on defensive ability and a good base for bat-to-ball contact skill in order to maximize development and promotion potential. The glove will be of heightened imperativeness here, where we believe defense can be a separator in a league where deviations in player abilities are slim.

With that in mind, let's jump into the most important draft in the club's recent history.

The First Five

1.2 IF Ilia Arakchaa - 22 YO

We believe Lane nailed our first pick. Arakchaa has a premium toolset that combines elite range in the middle of the infield and pop in the bat. All five tools are present here and his current abilities are advanced enough for a potentially early ETA. The future middle infield of Arakchaa and Ari Ernalia could be one of the GBC's very best.

2.2 RHP Vincent Wigmore - 22 YO

Lane locked in native son Vincent Wigmore, bringing the organization the third-highest rated Aussie prospect across both the BBA and GBC and the No. 1 Aussie pitcher prospect. Wigmore has a knack for generating soft contact while doing a fine job of staying in the zone. The development of his three-pitch bag will be key, though the admittedly trademark leisurely approach of a true Aussie is present in this right-hander and may hamper his growth.

3.2 RHP Edgardo Reyes - 21 YO

He's dim, a bit lazy and tunnel-visioned, but damn if he doesn't have a nasty changeup. Reyes has all the tools of a backend reliever for a competitor. The sidewinder has two league-ready pitches and a circle change that could become one of the better pitches in the GBC. He keeps the ball down and doesn't often miss his spot. But will he continue to build on his change? That's his hinge point.

4.2 LHP Javier Borges - 22 YO

I know the budget is tight, but we really didn't spend much time sifting through player backgrounds during these early picks. Borges has his own red flags, as well, but is undeniably eye-grabbing as a well-rounded lefty with a 6-foot-5 frame. He has three advanced pitches led by his changeup and splitter and has another three options in the repertoire. The question marks here are the same with Reyes.

5.2 IF Joachim Bizet - 21 YO

We've arrived at the first selection made by yours truly. Leaning on pillar No. 2, Bizet was an obvious choice due to the Frenchman's plus range and athleticism. Bizet has a high motor and rounded batting profile that could make him an excellent utility in time.

15 Round Breakdown

The final 15 selections did not waiver far from our core philosophy.

IF Jesus Vargas (6.2) is an intriguing slapstick hitter who shines at second base.
OF Ben Taylor (7.2) is a potential steal with plus power and excellent range in the outfield.
C Alia Mandar (8.2) gives us our complimentary depth with a strong presence behind the plate. His batting tools make him a sneaky mid-round prospect.
LHP Jelle Akervall (10.2) has four pitches and three project as plus-options. He keeps the ball down and will be a league arm with growth in command.
OF Oktav Haugwitz (14.2) is one of a few outfielders we turned to in the later rounds to provide versatility and improved plate presence for our minor league rosters.

[Jwalk100]

Nice draft!

[Dington]

I'm pretty sure that's Lane's dirty laundry in the corner (did he live here?)

Do NOT drink any half empty water bottles you find lying around...

[Dington]

That SS in the first round looks pretty solid.