Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
- aaronweiner
- BBA GM
- Posts: 12396
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:56 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 934 times
Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
This article will analyze this year's amateur draft. The analysis includes the S1.
Disclaimer: As always, opinions and analysis are mine and mine alone and do not reflect any future, present or past knowledge of anything at all. We are now two years removed from the land of hieroglyphics, so it’s basically all Greek to me, and the Greeks look like the future; this might be the best first round we’ve had in ages. Note: I swear to you that there will be not a single mention of the Colossus of Rhodes or Thessalonika or anything else in this piece. THIS! IS! NOT! SPARTA! I got the Wholethenon out last year; one Elephantine piece was enough. Still, it's good that we’re talking about big cultures, because this draft has a good chance to be historical, but, then again, all things are historical. My last sentence was and this one is about to be. This one too. Someone stop me. Speaking of stopping short, this draft is conveniently shortstop-heavy, much to the joy of Eastern North Carolina, which has no less than 45 Short Stop Convenience stores. Then again, it’s possible that Ahmad Virk (6’ 4”!) will get the Short Stop endorsement contract while Leslie Hartman (185 cm) gets the Little Short Stop endorsement (a tobacconist in Canada). Do not use as dopamine decor.
____________________________________________________________________________________
First Round Analysis:
1. SS Ahmad Virk (Brooklyn): There haven’t been a lot of shortstops picked at the top of drafts in the last decade or so. Last year the only one picked in the first round was Juan Simpson, by Long Beach, who will probably be a second or third baseman. There wasn’t one picked in 2055, 2056 or 2058; based on major league success, the best first round shortstop pick of the last eight drafts was Keith Williams (drafted 1.3 in 2054), who has three career WAR, all in his dazzling debut for Bikini last season.
Of course, I’m omitting 2057, and that was the Johnny Lazer (just one of a handful of shortstops to go 1.1 all time and the only one since Charlotte drafted Quinn Richardson in 2040), Lucas McNeill, Jr., and Maximo Gousto draft, all of whom stand to be very successful at their jobs if they develop, but none of whom have made it near the majors yet. Ahmad Virk is similar to those players; the 17 year old righty projects to be an excellent power/patience player from the right hand side of the plate and a good but not great fielding shortstop, but is still very raw. Notably, there have only been two shortstops drafted since 2049 (eleven drafts ago!) with as many as 4 WAR in any single season, and those two players are Rockville’s Richard Vernon (drafted 2052 and has technically done most of his damage at second base for Rockville) and former Brooklyn draft pick and current Nashville starter Brooks Eliot (drafted at 1.2 in 2049, traded to Nashville 2049 for no one of consequence), both of whom have done it twice. By the scouts, Virk is technically the highest rated shortstop prospect since Eliot, though scouts think his ceiling is higher than Eliot’s. He also has poor intangibles and won’t steal bases, but he’s so talented, he’s worth fixing. No injury history.
____________________________________________
2. OF Vandika Zadoyan (Atlantic City): Zadoyan has every potential skill you want in a prospect except for speed, and there’s a good chance that they won’t miss the speed. Zadoyan might not be the highest ceiling hitter in the draft; that might be the guy drafted right behind him, Kostadinov. However, the American batsman is probably the furthest along of any top hitting prospect in the draft, especially well-developed for 19 years old, seemingly injury-proof and stands to be a really top-notch professional hitter. His defense in the corners isn’t Yogi Zimmerish but won’t be a problem, and if he can somehow develop enough to play a mediocre center field, he could legitimately challenge for Sawyer Silks (and maybe anyway). No serious intangible minuses, unless adaptability is now.
____________________________________________
3. 1B/DH Tankut Konstadinov (Louisville): Turkish-Russian “outfielder” Konstadinov (his father was Russian, his mother Turkish) is Louisville’s highest draft pick in 21 seasons and just their third top five pick since the Obama Administration, and oh boy, this one’s a doozy. Konstadinov might be the highest ceiling hitting prospect in the BBA, with an unmatched power/contact/batting eye combination that reminds me of when I told everyone to shove it and picked Frank Thomas III over Brian Clough in 2013 – and yes, the highest similarity score I can think of to the youngster is Thomas. That one worked out okay, if I recall. The “outfielder” might never play a game in the outfield, though it’s possible they could eventually hide him at first base. Great intangibles and fitness will help.
____________________________________________
4. SS Leslie Hartman (Yellow Springs): One of the reasons I made such a big deal about the whole shortstop thing in the Virk writeup is so I didn’t have to do it here. As mentioned, Canadian native Hartman is just one of just a handful of shortstops drafted in the first round at all recently, but because of his outstanding glove, he has perhaps the best chance of any shortstop drafted since 2052 to make it big at the position. Hartman doesn’t have anywhere near the ceiling of Virk, but the 18 year old college freshman is far along the developmental path, especially for his age; he’s probably already too good for Rookie League. He’s likely to top out as a .290 or .300 hitter with just a little pop and not a lot of walks, but if he hits even a little, his very impressive glove should more than make up for whatever deficiencies he has at the plate. Had a couple minor back injuries, but hopefully it's not affecting him long-term.
____________________________________________
5. CF/OF Gary Fellers (Madison): In a draft considered to be possibly the deepest draft in the BBA in several seasons, Madison drafts a guy in Fellers who doesn’t fit with the script. Despite the fact that he is an advanced prospect at age 19, Fellers is the first surprise pick of the first round. Even with his developed skills, he didn’t exactly set the college ranks on fire last year, hitting just 10% above average with the metal bats. Don’t get me wrong: Fellers appears in every way to be a future two-way outfielder that’s valuable in either corner and might be able to play a little center field. The righty batter is likely to make very good contact with an average amount of either home runs or walks at his peak. He’s a major leaguer and probably a starter, but in a draft this strong, when we look back on it, Fellers might stand out in comparison because of where he was drafted.
____________________________________________
6. LF/1B Jorge Herrera (Austin): Herrera puts us back on track with the top-rated players. Again, mental flexibility is important. If you have a player who looks like he would have been an acceptable starter in 24, in 25 that guy is a potential star. Herrera is such a player: he’s a righty hitter who ranks in the top 10% or so in power potential with an above-average contact bat, a passable batting eye and very reasonable defensive numbers for a slugger. He’s also nicely down the developmental track for a 19 year old, and absolutely wrecked the college ranks last year, posting a 1.363 OPS in and an astonishing 24 homers in 37 games and above-average defense. No history of injuries, and won’t rock the boat.
____________________________________________
7. SP/RP Orlando Pena (Chicago): This one’s an autopick, so no judgment on whether he should have drafted Pena this high. Also, I sort of…don’t know? The first guy who came to mind when I saw Pena is Enzo Bouton, who was drafted first overall by Twin Cities in 2050, back when the franchise was in a lull. Egyptian Bouton had had an absolutely catastrophic walk rate of over 6 walks per nine (and has been worse since the changeover), but in every other way was productive, solid HR rate, decent strikeouts, workhorse, etc. Lefty Pena could be converted into a low-endurance starting pitcher, especially if the 17 year old gains velocity over the next few years or has a really nice run in the development lab, but if he remains a reliever, he has two potentially really wicked out pitches as a fastball/splitter guy. He’s a long way away and has a bit of a difficult personality, but he’s definitely projectible as a good major league reliever.
____________________________________________
8. SP Jesus Perez (San Antonio): Every so often it’s sort of fun to take a long pause and think back to Egyptian times, when a guy like this would have been an hilarious draft pick; we’d have all lost our minds. The hieroglyphics tell us Cubano Perez has first round talent for sure, though. So do his consistent college numbers and his above-average development for a draft pick, which makes sense for a third year college pitcher. San Antonio, blessed with a number of good prospects and improved players and off to a big start at the time of publication, might have been thinking he’d fit the timeline for them well. Good intangibles will help, though I have some nerves about the sore elbow he suffered in college – four weeks is a long time for that kind of an injury for a young guy in his pitching arm. Hopefully if they baby him he’ll grow out of it.
____________________________________________
9. SP Kalaila Cobar (Rockville): Cobar was a contender for IFC Pitcher of the Year last year, and the American Samoan lefty hurler is most of what you’d want in a starting pitching prospect. He has excellent movement on his stuff, plus control and is a groundballer. The 19 year old doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, poor endurance for a starter, and hits just 93 on the gun, but at a towering 6’ 7”, 210, he has time to grow into his body. No notable injury issues, and mediocre intangibles.
____________________________________________
10. C Nahele Akeakamai (Hawaii): Back to back Samoans who no doubt played catch on the same youth All-Star teams together, Akeakamai was very likely the top catching prospect in the 2060 draft. The backstop is well developed for his 18 years, and projects to be a consistent contact hitter with a little home run pop. All reports about his defense is that it’s passable, but nobody’s mistaking him for Luis Gonzales. Good intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
11. RP Winston Morris (Bikini): The first reliever I have endorsed without remorse (is that a no remorsement endorsement or an no remorse endorse?) being drafted this high since Todd Stone, Morris’ nickname is “Fast Lane” but would be better labeled “Skill Kills,” as he doesn’t throw especially hard but does have more skills than the rest of the relief corps in this draft combined. At 19, he has plus command of his two pitches AND above average movement and control and is likely to allow a home run every other July and throws groundballs and do I sound like a fanboy yet? A bullpen full of Morrises could maybe win a title with a mediocre rest of the team. His intangibles aren’t great, but screw that, his tangibles are liquid awesome. No current injury history. The one guy I probably draft over the guy I took at #23.
____________________________________________
12. SP Bao-Tian Teoh (Valencia): Teoh is a solid Taiwanese righty who has a lot going for him, but right now, he’s a raw 17 year old. He had a large velocity gain this offseason, and if he can continue gaining MPH it would help his four-pitch repertoire. He would also make an excellent reliever conversion if the team chooses to go that route, with two obvious future out pitches in his fastball and sinker. Groundballer, good intangibles, and no injury history, though we will see if the additional velocity causes issues.
____________________________________________
13. 3B/IF Jose Mendoza (San Fernando): Mendoza won the Platinum Stick in IFC last year for third base with some very prolific numbers, hitting .426 with a 1.275 OPS. The righty batter is currently a third baseman by trade, and if they improve his defense he could be a good one; otherwise, he probably has the chops to play first base, with a good contact bat and a little pop. Another well-developed but unready prospect, don’t be surprised to see the 18 year old in high-A as early as this year. No intangible minuses or notable injuries.
____________________________________________
14. SP Chris Wilson (Vancouver): The biggest mystery of the draft was solved when Chris Wilson did not fall to Portland, and there it is. (Searches draft pool for a Fiscus…nope.) Wilson was an extremely healthy, successful high school pitcher who finished second in Mike Swanson voting last year. His movement is probably closer to the next level than the lower one, and I suspect that both Wilson will both do well preventing walks and home runs, ultimately. Good endurance, good intangibles.
____________________________________________
15. SP Cosmin Grigore (Boise): I never really understand why they make some pitchers fragile when they’ve never had an injury, but that or money (he’s asking for the second highest bonus in the draft) is the only reasonable explanation as to why Grigore, the highest rated starter by scouts, slipped as far as he did. Admittedly, Grigore would never be a #1 starter; he has poor endurance and just mid stuff which actually slipped according to the scouts. But he balances it out with above average movement and control; just 23 BBA pitchers have his potential levels, and the median rating on those players is 65. Grigore would make a fair-to-middling reliever conversion because his stuff isn’t dominant, so they’re counting on the raw 17 year old navigating the injury risks and the minor leagues, but that’s the fun of it, isn’t it? Good intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
16. SP Antonio Fox (Omaha): You don’t see a lot of players with a college 7.75 ERA drafted in the first round, but, shockingly, in the IFC, that was an OPS+ of league average! (It’s incredible – the best team ERA in the league was a 6.69 mark by the Caribbean Sunbirds, and the whole league hit like Malik Bin Mazin. More on this in other player blurbs.) Fox does profile as a first rounder, and the control specialist is well developed for his 19 years and allowed just 9 walks in 36 innings last year in his first season, the best mark on the level. He’s not likely to be a big strikeout pitcher but his movement is above average. Good intangibles will help, no history of injuries.
____________________________________________
17. 2B/IF Jesus Rosito (Des Moines): Rosito won the IFC Platinum Stick last year at second base, and if you were just reading the writeup on Antonio Fox, you know that means he had an 1.100 OPS. Rosito is a well-developed contact bat with good pop for a middle infielder, but would lose some of his value if he had to play LF or 1B. Technically he could play shortstop or third base, but with his weak arm he’s probably resigned to the right side of the infield; the rest of his defensive ability is considered mediocre. Passable intangibles, great fitness, doesn’t run.
____________________________________________
18. 1B G’Tuda Choppa (Phoenix): Choppa is actually a great name for the lefty Turkish slugger, since he’s very unlikely to take a walk, and his swing looks a bit like he’s chopping wood every time a pitch comes. Of course, 34 of those times he hit home runs in his junior year in 210 at bats, an unsustainable rate of one homer every 6.2 at bats, and he finished second in Bo Jordan voting. Given his high scout rating, it is almost impossible that the lefty slugger did not have the highest power rating in the draft, since basically all the rest of his skills are fair to poor at the plate. It is possible that Choppa might be the first player in the new BBA with fifty homers and might have more home runs than singles. Choppa’s consistency will be his hobgoblin, but he might be a star. He’s also a solid fielder at first base, a solid citizen, and keeps in excellent shape.
____________________________________________
19. OF/DH Justin Waller (Omaha): Waller has the utmost respect of scouts, though it’s somewhat hard to know why now that we’re not in Egypt anymore. Our best guess is that all of the things that are rated average are really above average, including his righty power bat that projects as a good one, even for this draft. He is unlikely to play the field much in the BBA, as he is not good defensively and would probably also not be outstanding as a first baseman, so most likely his position is designated hitter. Seems like a solid citizen and has no injury history to speak of.
____________________________________________
20. Swingman Aswad Azeem (Portland): Reigning BBA Champion Chris Wilson literally gave up on the draft after he couldn’t draft himself. With his heart broken, he smashed his trophy to bits, fired three Fiscus cousins, and visited the graves of Bopper and Cricket (how long have we been playing this? If they were still alive they’d both be 83!), laid flowers, and went right to autopick. Anyway, the guy Portland got, Egyptian righty Azeem, has poor stamina for a starter and shaky control, but should have command of four pitches and good movement. Since he lacks a dominant pitch, he might not be a better reliever than a starter, though Portland was the one who drafted Steve Warren #5 overall - not that Azeem is likely to be as good as Warren. Seems like a solid citizen, and the once-sprained ankle isn’t likely to be a big problem going forward.
____________________________________________
21. 2B Derek Hopkins (Rocky Mountain): In many drafts lately, Hopkins would have been THE middle infielder prospect, but this is the Ahmad Virk draft. He’s still in the top five of players in this draft who are likely to stick in a double play combination. Hopkins is a rangy college middle infielder with a good bat who could come on in a hurry if his consistency catches up, with above-average power and the potential to make good contact with a good batting eye. So why did he fall all the way to #21? Well, Hopkins only played 86 college games in three seasons because of several injuries, some of which he played through in his freshman season, some of which he didn’t in his sophomore and junior years, and scouts believe he has a high chance of reinjury. If Hopkins stays healthy and develops, however, he could be one of the better players from this draft. Good intangibles may help, and the fact that he’s not a base stealer might help to keep him healthy.
____________________________________________
22. SS Domingo Chavez (Charlotte): Chavez was last year’s Platinum Stick at shortstop in the IFC and second in IFC Hitter of the Year voting, and if you’ve been reading these reviews up until now you know that his numbers in college were completely redonkulous. (Why isn’t that a word yet, by the way? Also what does cattywampus have over it? Even fails the spell check. Hmmmmm…if Webster won’t add it to the dictionary, I will.) The righty appears to be a good offensive shortstop without a ton of defensive chops, solid across the board with a potentially average batting eye, and should come on in a hurry. Might end up at third base. Bruised shin when a cattywampus kicked him (1 American dollar says you didn’t know that wasn’t a real thing, even if you suspected) and no other injuries, and he’s a leader on the field.
____________________________________________
23. 1B not 3B Felipe Flores (Jacksonville): Flores at no point in his college career set the world on fire, but he always was solid and drew an outsized number of walks. Flores averaged one walk every 5.8 plate appearances in 653 college plate appearances; by comparison, BBA walk leader and Zombie Bae Pae drew a walk every 7.8 plate appearances last year. (Yes, that’s Billy Beane in the corner losing his religion.) He is one of just four players in the draft with at least a 7 eye potential, a 7 power potential, and a 6 contact potential; you may recognize the other three as they went 1-2-3 in the draft. Unsure why he is listed as a third baseman as he played 208 of his 217 amateur games at first base, where he is already an excellent player and won the Pascal Verhoeve Fielding Award last year; apparently someone has a sense of humor. The lefty batsman isn’t a sexy pick, but he does seem safe: he’s moderately well developed for 20 years old, is durable, has never had an injury past the sniffles, and scouts say that other players look up to him.
____________________________________________
24. SP Manny Ortega (Mexico City): Ortega is the reigning back-to-back Fox Mulder Award winner in CCAS’s MLN division, becoming the such fifth player to do so. The other four, chronologically backwards: Charm City’s Jose Flores (3.7 WAR in first full year last year) Yellow Springs’ Dave Lee (52 career WAR), recently retired Zak Johnson (48 career WAR) and the mortal Luke Mayfield, who was coincidentally also drafted 24th overall but couldn’t stay healthy and never threw a major league inning, and retired half a century ago. (The list in the Rockefeller League is not quite so distinguished outside of Mulder himself.) Ortega looks solid, too: he stayed injury-free in college, and when fully developed will have plus control and movement. So why would a two-time award winner last all the way until #24? Well, the rub on Ortega is that while the lefty was able to dominate hitters in college with his guile, he doesn’t really have an out pitch; he doesn’t throw hard, leads with a pedestrian cutter and change, and lacks the stamina to be on the top of the rotation or be a workhorse. However, if he’s like most of his predecessors he’s in for a long, productive career, and he probably just needs a defense behind him.
____________________________________________
25. LF Kent Gill (Montreal): Gill won the Platinum Stick at left field in the IFC this year, which, if you’ve been reading the other IFC players’ blurbs, explains why his OPS is 1.353 – the place was bananas last year, and not just because a lot of the teams are tropical. Anyway, Gill is a swing from the heels powerhitter who probably only didn’t hit doubles last year because his stuff went over the wall. He’s close to ready, and what ready looks like for him is a few walks, a bunch of home runs, and a .240 batting average at best, we think. Looks a lot like Benedict Daniel, but without the off-the-charts batting eye or the durability. No injury history, no notable intangibles, probably cheaper than some players around him.
____________________________________________
26. SS Kurt Oakes (Calgary): Oakes is technically the fourth shortstop selected in Round 1, though it’s fair to question whether Domingo Chavez counts or whether Derek Hopkins doesn’t count. But Oakes is very likely to stick at the six. Considering Oakes doesn’t run and is just an average fielder at shortstop, the scouts are obviously high on his bat. He’s no Sammy McNeill yet, but might be one of those rare shortstops who fields the position adequately and hits 15-20 homers, which is not a long list. Intangibles seem fine, and he’s well-developed for 19 years old. We could see him soon.
____________________________________________
27. RP Miguel Reyes (New Orleans): Reyes is a little sidearming lefty (5’ 11”) out of the Dominican Republic who doesn’t throw hard and doesn’t have a huge arm but was very solid last year in the IFC. He leads with a solid slider and has good movement on it, and he projects to be a well-rounded short reliever in the BBA. Additional velocity would definitely help the fastball/slider repertoire. No history of injuries, solid intangibles.
____________________________________________
28. IF Armando Diaz (Las Vegas): Diaz was probably the best remaining middle infield prospect in the draft after Oakes was picked. Diaz was a three-time CCAS All-Star and won the Platinum Stick at shortstop last year. I’ve listed him as an “infielder” because he already has some competency at three infield positions, though he’s not likely to be amazing at any of them; he might also be modestly competent at the corner outfield spots. Diaz is not projected to be a powerhitter in the pros, but scouts think he will make consistent contact from the right side of the plate and have a bit of pop for a middle infielder. Good intangibles, just a couple of ticky-tack injuries which hopefully don’t mean much, and possibly improvable speed.
____________________________________________
29. OF Alejandro Garcia (Long Beach): Garcia is a two-way Moneyball outfielder who put up below-average numbers in the IFC last year but could be a better professional than an amateur. A switch-hitter projected to have above-average power and a decent batting eye, Garcia might struggle in the majors to make consistent contact, but if he can hit for power and draw walks his glove is good enough to keep him out there at a corner spot. No significant injuries, good intangibles.
____________________________________________
30. SP/RP Johnathan Sobers (Mexico City): The last page of the worst picture book ever (See Johnathan work. See Jonathan go out Friday. See Jonathan binge drink. Afterward, Jonathan Sobers), the big-armed righty with the 99 MPH fastball has the profile of a first rounder. The righty had a solid college career as a starter, but it would be unsurprising to see him converted to a reliever in the majors, where the low-stamina starter would likely be more successful. The fitness junkie should be resistant to injury, and if he can round off the edges he could come on in a hurry.
____________________________________________
31. RP Pedro Gonsales (Sacramento): Gonsales profiles as a potential BBA closer, and he might not have that far to go to get there. The righty has a nice arm for a teenager, hitting 97 on the gun with his good fastball and can already boast a developed changeup; scouts believe he may have the best stuff in the draft. His skills are not so high, as he might have above-average movement but just average control. Stayed injury-free in college, and since he was in the IFA we’ll give him a pass on the 8.40 ERA. He is also reportedly an inspiring and sharp teammate.
____________________________________________
32. CF/OF Antonio Huerta (Charm City): Huerta, the 2058 Bo Jordan Award winner, is an interesting looking player going to one of the teams that can most afford a project. A righty centerfielder with a decent glove, Huerta is a pure Moneyball player, a player who might not make much contact at all but had the best batting eye in the draft and above-average power. Scouts are skeptical about his ability to make it big at the professional level, but they love his professionality and his work ethic. He’s well developed for his age, so we should know what kind of player he is, soon; at worst, he appears to be a very good fourth or fifth outfielder.
____________________________________________
33. OF Mark Busse (Twin Cities): First Huerta, now Busse: at the end of the first round, the eyes have it. Busse is nowhere near as developed as Huerta offensively, and definitely doesn’t have Huerta’s power bat, and his glove is not quite as impressive, but he surely matches Huerta’s batting eye; Busse drew an amazing 60 walks in 248 plate appearances in his junior year. His ceiling looks like a leadoff man, even though he doesn’t run, as he might make consistent contact but is unlikely to ever hit 20 homers in a season. A fractured foot he suffered in college could be a future concern. Excellent intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
34. SP Enrique Perez (Nashville): As before, it says it all that Perez, who had just one season in the IFC, posted an above-average ERA of 6.59 last year in that pinball machine. An advanced prospect at age 19, but a bit of a junkballer, Perez hits just 93 on the gun with his fastball but throws a solid curveball and a decent changeup, both of which could use some work. Additional velocity would help. Would likely make a poor reliever conversion. Stayed healthy in college, and good intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
35. 2B Manuel Herrera (Phoenix): Herrera rated fairly comparable to Armando Diaz by scouts, which makes the two infielders, drafted seven spots apart, a good challenge question. Herrera’s defense isn’t quite as good as Diaz, as he’s unlikely to start anywhere but second base, but fully developed he’s likely to have a solid contact bat and a reasonable amount of power for the position. Herrera stayed healthy in college, and he also stole 36 bases in 46 attempts, a solid 78% conversion rate.
____________________________________________
36. RP Javier Orduno (Phoenix): Phoenix takes the last top-rated reliever off the board to close out the round. The Mexican righty hits 96 on the gun on a wicked cutter and projects to have an above-average forkball as well, and he should be able for the most part to keep the ball in the ballpark, making him a good future closer candidate. Orduno stayed healthy in college and displays natural leadership qualities.
____________________________________________
Disclaimer: As always, opinions and analysis are mine and mine alone and do not reflect any future, present or past knowledge of anything at all. We are now two years removed from the land of hieroglyphics, so it’s basically all Greek to me, and the Greeks look like the future; this might be the best first round we’ve had in ages. Note: I swear to you that there will be not a single mention of the Colossus of Rhodes or Thessalonika or anything else in this piece. THIS! IS! NOT! SPARTA! I got the Wholethenon out last year; one Elephantine piece was enough. Still, it's good that we’re talking about big cultures, because this draft has a good chance to be historical, but, then again, all things are historical. My last sentence was and this one is about to be. This one too. Someone stop me. Speaking of stopping short, this draft is conveniently shortstop-heavy, much to the joy of Eastern North Carolina, which has no less than 45 Short Stop Convenience stores. Then again, it’s possible that Ahmad Virk (6’ 4”!) will get the Short Stop endorsement contract while Leslie Hartman (185 cm) gets the Little Short Stop endorsement (a tobacconist in Canada). Do not use as dopamine decor.
____________________________________________________________________________________
First Round Analysis:
1. SS Ahmad Virk (Brooklyn): There haven’t been a lot of shortstops picked at the top of drafts in the last decade or so. Last year the only one picked in the first round was Juan Simpson, by Long Beach, who will probably be a second or third baseman. There wasn’t one picked in 2055, 2056 or 2058; based on major league success, the best first round shortstop pick of the last eight drafts was Keith Williams (drafted 1.3 in 2054), who has three career WAR, all in his dazzling debut for Bikini last season.
Of course, I’m omitting 2057, and that was the Johnny Lazer (just one of a handful of shortstops to go 1.1 all time and the only one since Charlotte drafted Quinn Richardson in 2040), Lucas McNeill, Jr., and Maximo Gousto draft, all of whom stand to be very successful at their jobs if they develop, but none of whom have made it near the majors yet. Ahmad Virk is similar to those players; the 17 year old righty projects to be an excellent power/patience player from the right hand side of the plate and a good but not great fielding shortstop, but is still very raw. Notably, there have only been two shortstops drafted since 2049 (eleven drafts ago!) with as many as 4 WAR in any single season, and those two players are Rockville’s Richard Vernon (drafted 2052 and has technically done most of his damage at second base for Rockville) and former Brooklyn draft pick and current Nashville starter Brooks Eliot (drafted at 1.2 in 2049, traded to Nashville 2049 for no one of consequence), both of whom have done it twice. By the scouts, Virk is technically the highest rated shortstop prospect since Eliot, though scouts think his ceiling is higher than Eliot’s. He also has poor intangibles and won’t steal bases, but he’s so talented, he’s worth fixing. No injury history.
____________________________________________
2. OF Vandika Zadoyan (Atlantic City): Zadoyan has every potential skill you want in a prospect except for speed, and there’s a good chance that they won’t miss the speed. Zadoyan might not be the highest ceiling hitter in the draft; that might be the guy drafted right behind him, Kostadinov. However, the American batsman is probably the furthest along of any top hitting prospect in the draft, especially well-developed for 19 years old, seemingly injury-proof and stands to be a really top-notch professional hitter. His defense in the corners isn’t Yogi Zimmerish but won’t be a problem, and if he can somehow develop enough to play a mediocre center field, he could legitimately challenge for Sawyer Silks (and maybe anyway). No serious intangible minuses, unless adaptability is now.
____________________________________________
3. 1B/DH Tankut Konstadinov (Louisville): Turkish-Russian “outfielder” Konstadinov (his father was Russian, his mother Turkish) is Louisville’s highest draft pick in 21 seasons and just their third top five pick since the Obama Administration, and oh boy, this one’s a doozy. Konstadinov might be the highest ceiling hitting prospect in the BBA, with an unmatched power/contact/batting eye combination that reminds me of when I told everyone to shove it and picked Frank Thomas III over Brian Clough in 2013 – and yes, the highest similarity score I can think of to the youngster is Thomas. That one worked out okay, if I recall. The “outfielder” might never play a game in the outfield, though it’s possible they could eventually hide him at first base. Great intangibles and fitness will help.
____________________________________________
4. SS Leslie Hartman (Yellow Springs): One of the reasons I made such a big deal about the whole shortstop thing in the Virk writeup is so I didn’t have to do it here. As mentioned, Canadian native Hartman is just one of just a handful of shortstops drafted in the first round at all recently, but because of his outstanding glove, he has perhaps the best chance of any shortstop drafted since 2052 to make it big at the position. Hartman doesn’t have anywhere near the ceiling of Virk, but the 18 year old college freshman is far along the developmental path, especially for his age; he’s probably already too good for Rookie League. He’s likely to top out as a .290 or .300 hitter with just a little pop and not a lot of walks, but if he hits even a little, his very impressive glove should more than make up for whatever deficiencies he has at the plate. Had a couple minor back injuries, but hopefully it's not affecting him long-term.
____________________________________________
5. CF/OF Gary Fellers (Madison): In a draft considered to be possibly the deepest draft in the BBA in several seasons, Madison drafts a guy in Fellers who doesn’t fit with the script. Despite the fact that he is an advanced prospect at age 19, Fellers is the first surprise pick of the first round. Even with his developed skills, he didn’t exactly set the college ranks on fire last year, hitting just 10% above average with the metal bats. Don’t get me wrong: Fellers appears in every way to be a future two-way outfielder that’s valuable in either corner and might be able to play a little center field. The righty batter is likely to make very good contact with an average amount of either home runs or walks at his peak. He’s a major leaguer and probably a starter, but in a draft this strong, when we look back on it, Fellers might stand out in comparison because of where he was drafted.
____________________________________________
6. LF/1B Jorge Herrera (Austin): Herrera puts us back on track with the top-rated players. Again, mental flexibility is important. If you have a player who looks like he would have been an acceptable starter in 24, in 25 that guy is a potential star. Herrera is such a player: he’s a righty hitter who ranks in the top 10% or so in power potential with an above-average contact bat, a passable batting eye and very reasonable defensive numbers for a slugger. He’s also nicely down the developmental track for a 19 year old, and absolutely wrecked the college ranks last year, posting a 1.363 OPS in and an astonishing 24 homers in 37 games and above-average defense. No history of injuries, and won’t rock the boat.
____________________________________________
7. SP/RP Orlando Pena (Chicago): This one’s an autopick, so no judgment on whether he should have drafted Pena this high. Also, I sort of…don’t know? The first guy who came to mind when I saw Pena is Enzo Bouton, who was drafted first overall by Twin Cities in 2050, back when the franchise was in a lull. Egyptian Bouton had had an absolutely catastrophic walk rate of over 6 walks per nine (and has been worse since the changeover), but in every other way was productive, solid HR rate, decent strikeouts, workhorse, etc. Lefty Pena could be converted into a low-endurance starting pitcher, especially if the 17 year old gains velocity over the next few years or has a really nice run in the development lab, but if he remains a reliever, he has two potentially really wicked out pitches as a fastball/splitter guy. He’s a long way away and has a bit of a difficult personality, but he’s definitely projectible as a good major league reliever.
____________________________________________
8. SP Jesus Perez (San Antonio): Every so often it’s sort of fun to take a long pause and think back to Egyptian times, when a guy like this would have been an hilarious draft pick; we’d have all lost our minds. The hieroglyphics tell us Cubano Perez has first round talent for sure, though. So do his consistent college numbers and his above-average development for a draft pick, which makes sense for a third year college pitcher. San Antonio, blessed with a number of good prospects and improved players and off to a big start at the time of publication, might have been thinking he’d fit the timeline for them well. Good intangibles will help, though I have some nerves about the sore elbow he suffered in college – four weeks is a long time for that kind of an injury for a young guy in his pitching arm. Hopefully if they baby him he’ll grow out of it.
____________________________________________
9. SP Kalaila Cobar (Rockville): Cobar was a contender for IFC Pitcher of the Year last year, and the American Samoan lefty hurler is most of what you’d want in a starting pitching prospect. He has excellent movement on his stuff, plus control and is a groundballer. The 19 year old doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, poor endurance for a starter, and hits just 93 on the gun, but at a towering 6’ 7”, 210, he has time to grow into his body. No notable injury issues, and mediocre intangibles.
____________________________________________
10. C Nahele Akeakamai (Hawaii): Back to back Samoans who no doubt played catch on the same youth All-Star teams together, Akeakamai was very likely the top catching prospect in the 2060 draft. The backstop is well developed for his 18 years, and projects to be a consistent contact hitter with a little home run pop. All reports about his defense is that it’s passable, but nobody’s mistaking him for Luis Gonzales. Good intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
11. RP Winston Morris (Bikini): The first reliever I have endorsed without remorse (is that a no remorsement endorsement or an no remorse endorse?) being drafted this high since Todd Stone, Morris’ nickname is “Fast Lane” but would be better labeled “Skill Kills,” as he doesn’t throw especially hard but does have more skills than the rest of the relief corps in this draft combined. At 19, he has plus command of his two pitches AND above average movement and control and is likely to allow a home run every other July and throws groundballs and do I sound like a fanboy yet? A bullpen full of Morrises could maybe win a title with a mediocre rest of the team. His intangibles aren’t great, but screw that, his tangibles are liquid awesome. No current injury history. The one guy I probably draft over the guy I took at #23.
____________________________________________
12. SP Bao-Tian Teoh (Valencia): Teoh is a solid Taiwanese righty who has a lot going for him, but right now, he’s a raw 17 year old. He had a large velocity gain this offseason, and if he can continue gaining MPH it would help his four-pitch repertoire. He would also make an excellent reliever conversion if the team chooses to go that route, with two obvious future out pitches in his fastball and sinker. Groundballer, good intangibles, and no injury history, though we will see if the additional velocity causes issues.
____________________________________________
13. 3B/IF Jose Mendoza (San Fernando): Mendoza won the Platinum Stick in IFC last year for third base with some very prolific numbers, hitting .426 with a 1.275 OPS. The righty batter is currently a third baseman by trade, and if they improve his defense he could be a good one; otherwise, he probably has the chops to play first base, with a good contact bat and a little pop. Another well-developed but unready prospect, don’t be surprised to see the 18 year old in high-A as early as this year. No intangible minuses or notable injuries.
____________________________________________
14. SP Chris Wilson (Vancouver): The biggest mystery of the draft was solved when Chris Wilson did not fall to Portland, and there it is. (Searches draft pool for a Fiscus…nope.) Wilson was an extremely healthy, successful high school pitcher who finished second in Mike Swanson voting last year. His movement is probably closer to the next level than the lower one, and I suspect that both Wilson will both do well preventing walks and home runs, ultimately. Good endurance, good intangibles.
____________________________________________
15. SP Cosmin Grigore (Boise): I never really understand why they make some pitchers fragile when they’ve never had an injury, but that or money (he’s asking for the second highest bonus in the draft) is the only reasonable explanation as to why Grigore, the highest rated starter by scouts, slipped as far as he did. Admittedly, Grigore would never be a #1 starter; he has poor endurance and just mid stuff which actually slipped according to the scouts. But he balances it out with above average movement and control; just 23 BBA pitchers have his potential levels, and the median rating on those players is 65. Grigore would make a fair-to-middling reliever conversion because his stuff isn’t dominant, so they’re counting on the raw 17 year old navigating the injury risks and the minor leagues, but that’s the fun of it, isn’t it? Good intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
16. SP Antonio Fox (Omaha): You don’t see a lot of players with a college 7.75 ERA drafted in the first round, but, shockingly, in the IFC, that was an OPS+ of league average! (It’s incredible – the best team ERA in the league was a 6.69 mark by the Caribbean Sunbirds, and the whole league hit like Malik Bin Mazin. More on this in other player blurbs.) Fox does profile as a first rounder, and the control specialist is well developed for his 19 years and allowed just 9 walks in 36 innings last year in his first season, the best mark on the level. He’s not likely to be a big strikeout pitcher but his movement is above average. Good intangibles will help, no history of injuries.
____________________________________________
17. 2B/IF Jesus Rosito (Des Moines): Rosito won the IFC Platinum Stick last year at second base, and if you were just reading the writeup on Antonio Fox, you know that means he had an 1.100 OPS. Rosito is a well-developed contact bat with good pop for a middle infielder, but would lose some of his value if he had to play LF or 1B. Technically he could play shortstop or third base, but with his weak arm he’s probably resigned to the right side of the infield; the rest of his defensive ability is considered mediocre. Passable intangibles, great fitness, doesn’t run.
____________________________________________
18. 1B G’Tuda Choppa (Phoenix): Choppa is actually a great name for the lefty Turkish slugger, since he’s very unlikely to take a walk, and his swing looks a bit like he’s chopping wood every time a pitch comes. Of course, 34 of those times he hit home runs in his junior year in 210 at bats, an unsustainable rate of one homer every 6.2 at bats, and he finished second in Bo Jordan voting. Given his high scout rating, it is almost impossible that the lefty slugger did not have the highest power rating in the draft, since basically all the rest of his skills are fair to poor at the plate. It is possible that Choppa might be the first player in the new BBA with fifty homers and might have more home runs than singles. Choppa’s consistency will be his hobgoblin, but he might be a star. He’s also a solid fielder at first base, a solid citizen, and keeps in excellent shape.
____________________________________________
19. OF/DH Justin Waller (Omaha): Waller has the utmost respect of scouts, though it’s somewhat hard to know why now that we’re not in Egypt anymore. Our best guess is that all of the things that are rated average are really above average, including his righty power bat that projects as a good one, even for this draft. He is unlikely to play the field much in the BBA, as he is not good defensively and would probably also not be outstanding as a first baseman, so most likely his position is designated hitter. Seems like a solid citizen and has no injury history to speak of.
____________________________________________
20. Swingman Aswad Azeem (Portland): Reigning BBA Champion Chris Wilson literally gave up on the draft after he couldn’t draft himself. With his heart broken, he smashed his trophy to bits, fired three Fiscus cousins, and visited the graves of Bopper and Cricket (how long have we been playing this? If they were still alive they’d both be 83!), laid flowers, and went right to autopick. Anyway, the guy Portland got, Egyptian righty Azeem, has poor stamina for a starter and shaky control, but should have command of four pitches and good movement. Since he lacks a dominant pitch, he might not be a better reliever than a starter, though Portland was the one who drafted Steve Warren #5 overall - not that Azeem is likely to be as good as Warren. Seems like a solid citizen, and the once-sprained ankle isn’t likely to be a big problem going forward.
____________________________________________
21. 2B Derek Hopkins (Rocky Mountain): In many drafts lately, Hopkins would have been THE middle infielder prospect, but this is the Ahmad Virk draft. He’s still in the top five of players in this draft who are likely to stick in a double play combination. Hopkins is a rangy college middle infielder with a good bat who could come on in a hurry if his consistency catches up, with above-average power and the potential to make good contact with a good batting eye. So why did he fall all the way to #21? Well, Hopkins only played 86 college games in three seasons because of several injuries, some of which he played through in his freshman season, some of which he didn’t in his sophomore and junior years, and scouts believe he has a high chance of reinjury. If Hopkins stays healthy and develops, however, he could be one of the better players from this draft. Good intangibles may help, and the fact that he’s not a base stealer might help to keep him healthy.
____________________________________________
22. SS Domingo Chavez (Charlotte): Chavez was last year’s Platinum Stick at shortstop in the IFC and second in IFC Hitter of the Year voting, and if you’ve been reading these reviews up until now you know that his numbers in college were completely redonkulous. (Why isn’t that a word yet, by the way? Also what does cattywampus have over it? Even fails the spell check. Hmmmmm…if Webster won’t add it to the dictionary, I will.) The righty appears to be a good offensive shortstop without a ton of defensive chops, solid across the board with a potentially average batting eye, and should come on in a hurry. Might end up at third base. Bruised shin when a cattywampus kicked him (1 American dollar says you didn’t know that wasn’t a real thing, even if you suspected) and no other injuries, and he’s a leader on the field.
____________________________________________
23. 1B not 3B Felipe Flores (Jacksonville): Flores at no point in his college career set the world on fire, but he always was solid and drew an outsized number of walks. Flores averaged one walk every 5.8 plate appearances in 653 college plate appearances; by comparison, BBA walk leader and Zombie Bae Pae drew a walk every 7.8 plate appearances last year. (Yes, that’s Billy Beane in the corner losing his religion.) He is one of just four players in the draft with at least a 7 eye potential, a 7 power potential, and a 6 contact potential; you may recognize the other three as they went 1-2-3 in the draft. Unsure why he is listed as a third baseman as he played 208 of his 217 amateur games at first base, where he is already an excellent player and won the Pascal Verhoeve Fielding Award last year; apparently someone has a sense of humor. The lefty batsman isn’t a sexy pick, but he does seem safe: he’s moderately well developed for 20 years old, is durable, has never had an injury past the sniffles, and scouts say that other players look up to him.
____________________________________________
24. SP Manny Ortega (Mexico City): Ortega is the reigning back-to-back Fox Mulder Award winner in CCAS’s MLN division, becoming the such fifth player to do so. The other four, chronologically backwards: Charm City’s Jose Flores (3.7 WAR in first full year last year) Yellow Springs’ Dave Lee (52 career WAR), recently retired Zak Johnson (48 career WAR) and the mortal Luke Mayfield, who was coincidentally also drafted 24th overall but couldn’t stay healthy and never threw a major league inning, and retired half a century ago. (The list in the Rockefeller League is not quite so distinguished outside of Mulder himself.) Ortega looks solid, too: he stayed injury-free in college, and when fully developed will have plus control and movement. So why would a two-time award winner last all the way until #24? Well, the rub on Ortega is that while the lefty was able to dominate hitters in college with his guile, he doesn’t really have an out pitch; he doesn’t throw hard, leads with a pedestrian cutter and change, and lacks the stamina to be on the top of the rotation or be a workhorse. However, if he’s like most of his predecessors he’s in for a long, productive career, and he probably just needs a defense behind him.
____________________________________________
25. LF Kent Gill (Montreal): Gill won the Platinum Stick at left field in the IFC this year, which, if you’ve been reading the other IFC players’ blurbs, explains why his OPS is 1.353 – the place was bananas last year, and not just because a lot of the teams are tropical. Anyway, Gill is a swing from the heels powerhitter who probably only didn’t hit doubles last year because his stuff went over the wall. He’s close to ready, and what ready looks like for him is a few walks, a bunch of home runs, and a .240 batting average at best, we think. Looks a lot like Benedict Daniel, but without the off-the-charts batting eye or the durability. No injury history, no notable intangibles, probably cheaper than some players around him.
____________________________________________
26. SS Kurt Oakes (Calgary): Oakes is technically the fourth shortstop selected in Round 1, though it’s fair to question whether Domingo Chavez counts or whether Derek Hopkins doesn’t count. But Oakes is very likely to stick at the six. Considering Oakes doesn’t run and is just an average fielder at shortstop, the scouts are obviously high on his bat. He’s no Sammy McNeill yet, but might be one of those rare shortstops who fields the position adequately and hits 15-20 homers, which is not a long list. Intangibles seem fine, and he’s well-developed for 19 years old. We could see him soon.
____________________________________________
27. RP Miguel Reyes (New Orleans): Reyes is a little sidearming lefty (5’ 11”) out of the Dominican Republic who doesn’t throw hard and doesn’t have a huge arm but was very solid last year in the IFC. He leads with a solid slider and has good movement on it, and he projects to be a well-rounded short reliever in the BBA. Additional velocity would definitely help the fastball/slider repertoire. No history of injuries, solid intangibles.
____________________________________________
28. IF Armando Diaz (Las Vegas): Diaz was probably the best remaining middle infield prospect in the draft after Oakes was picked. Diaz was a three-time CCAS All-Star and won the Platinum Stick at shortstop last year. I’ve listed him as an “infielder” because he already has some competency at three infield positions, though he’s not likely to be amazing at any of them; he might also be modestly competent at the corner outfield spots. Diaz is not projected to be a powerhitter in the pros, but scouts think he will make consistent contact from the right side of the plate and have a bit of pop for a middle infielder. Good intangibles, just a couple of ticky-tack injuries which hopefully don’t mean much, and possibly improvable speed.
____________________________________________
29. OF Alejandro Garcia (Long Beach): Garcia is a two-way Moneyball outfielder who put up below-average numbers in the IFC last year but could be a better professional than an amateur. A switch-hitter projected to have above-average power and a decent batting eye, Garcia might struggle in the majors to make consistent contact, but if he can hit for power and draw walks his glove is good enough to keep him out there at a corner spot. No significant injuries, good intangibles.
____________________________________________
30. SP/RP Johnathan Sobers (Mexico City): The last page of the worst picture book ever (See Johnathan work. See Jonathan go out Friday. See Jonathan binge drink. Afterward, Jonathan Sobers), the big-armed righty with the 99 MPH fastball has the profile of a first rounder. The righty had a solid college career as a starter, but it would be unsurprising to see him converted to a reliever in the majors, where the low-stamina starter would likely be more successful. The fitness junkie should be resistant to injury, and if he can round off the edges he could come on in a hurry.
____________________________________________
31. RP Pedro Gonsales (Sacramento): Gonsales profiles as a potential BBA closer, and he might not have that far to go to get there. The righty has a nice arm for a teenager, hitting 97 on the gun with his good fastball and can already boast a developed changeup; scouts believe he may have the best stuff in the draft. His skills are not so high, as he might have above-average movement but just average control. Stayed injury-free in college, and since he was in the IFA we’ll give him a pass on the 8.40 ERA. He is also reportedly an inspiring and sharp teammate.
____________________________________________
32. CF/OF Antonio Huerta (Charm City): Huerta, the 2058 Bo Jordan Award winner, is an interesting looking player going to one of the teams that can most afford a project. A righty centerfielder with a decent glove, Huerta is a pure Moneyball player, a player who might not make much contact at all but had the best batting eye in the draft and above-average power. Scouts are skeptical about his ability to make it big at the professional level, but they love his professionality and his work ethic. He’s well developed for his age, so we should know what kind of player he is, soon; at worst, he appears to be a very good fourth or fifth outfielder.
____________________________________________
33. OF Mark Busse (Twin Cities): First Huerta, now Busse: at the end of the first round, the eyes have it. Busse is nowhere near as developed as Huerta offensively, and definitely doesn’t have Huerta’s power bat, and his glove is not quite as impressive, but he surely matches Huerta’s batting eye; Busse drew an amazing 60 walks in 248 plate appearances in his junior year. His ceiling looks like a leadoff man, even though he doesn’t run, as he might make consistent contact but is unlikely to ever hit 20 homers in a season. A fractured foot he suffered in college could be a future concern. Excellent intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
34. SP Enrique Perez (Nashville): As before, it says it all that Perez, who had just one season in the IFC, posted an above-average ERA of 6.59 last year in that pinball machine. An advanced prospect at age 19, but a bit of a junkballer, Perez hits just 93 on the gun with his fastball but throws a solid curveball and a decent changeup, both of which could use some work. Additional velocity would help. Would likely make a poor reliever conversion. Stayed healthy in college, and good intangibles will help.
____________________________________________
35. 2B Manuel Herrera (Phoenix): Herrera rated fairly comparable to Armando Diaz by scouts, which makes the two infielders, drafted seven spots apart, a good challenge question. Herrera’s defense isn’t quite as good as Diaz, as he’s unlikely to start anywhere but second base, but fully developed he’s likely to have a solid contact bat and a reasonable amount of power for the position. Herrera stayed healthy in college, and he also stole 36 bases in 46 attempts, a solid 78% conversion rate.
____________________________________________
36. RP Javier Orduno (Phoenix): Phoenix takes the last top-rated reliever off the board to close out the round. The Mexican righty hits 96 on the gun on a wicked cutter and projects to have an above-average forkball as well, and he should be able for the most part to keep the ball in the ballpark, making him a good future closer candidate. Orduno stayed healthy in college and displays natural leadership qualities.
____________________________________________
Last edited by aaronweiner on Fri Aug 09, 2024 1:39 pm, edited 4 times in total.
- Lane
- GB: Vice Commissioner
- Posts: 7500
- Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 8:18 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Has thanked: 665 times
- Been thanked: 954 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Hopkins was a frickin steal at 21
Stephen Lane
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026

Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
Link Generator Unified History Donate
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026

Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
Link Generator Unified History Donate
- BaseClogger
- BBA GM
- Posts: 3373
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2022 8:55 am
- Has thanked: 3048 times
- Been thanked: 817 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Kensaku Kato was a first round shortstop in 2056.
San Fernando Bears GM since 2051
- Lane
- GB: Vice Commissioner
- Posts: 7500
- Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 8:18 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Has thanked: 665 times
- Been thanked: 954 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
he's about as much of a SS as Juan Simpson is
Stephen Lane
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026

Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
Link Generator Unified History Donate
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026

Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
Link Generator Unified History Donate
- aaronweiner
- BBA GM
- Posts: 12396
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:56 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 934 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
I agree with you in theory, but I also rarely endorse fragile players.
- aaronweiner
- BBA GM
- Posts: 12396
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:56 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 934 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Statsplus has him listed as a 2B. Makes sense.
- Lane
- GB: Vice Commissioner
- Posts: 7500
- Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 8:18 am
- Location: Los Angeles
- Has thanked: 665 times
- Been thanked: 954 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
for sure, and I totally understand that approach. I just don't care as much about that as a lot of people.aaronweiner wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 10:38 amI agree with you in theory, but I also rarely endorse fragile players.
Even with his "Wrecked" rating, Steveland Morris has averaged 142 games over the last 8 seasons
Stephen Lane
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026

Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
Link Generator Unified History Donate
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026

Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
Link Generator Unified History Donate
- aaronweiner
- BBA GM
- Posts: 12396
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:56 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 934 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
And I got 65 innings out of Efgrafov before he blew out his arm.Lane wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 10:41 amfor sure, and I totally understand that approach. I just don't care as much about that as a lot of people.aaronweiner wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 10:38 amI agree with you in theory, but I also rarely endorse fragile players.
Even with his "Wrecked" rating, Steveland Morris has averaged 142 games over the last 8 seasons
- BaseClogger
- BBA GM
- Posts: 3373
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2022 8:55 am
- Has thanked: 3048 times
- Been thanked: 817 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
He had 9 range when I drafted him.
San Fernando Bears GM since 2051
- cheekimonk
- BBA GM
- Posts: 5968
- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:46 pm
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Has thanked: 302 times
- Been thanked: 277 times
- Contact:
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
SP Cosmin Grigore was Boise at #15
Ben Teague GM Boise Spuds
2964-3356, .469 PCT (39 seasons)
10 Postseason Appearances, 1 Championship, 3 GM of the Year
Caleca Award: 2059
Former BBA GM: Many (Brewster Memorial Champion: 1997-Hackensack Bulls)
Boise Home Page (roster, prospects, etc.)
2964-3356, .469 PCT (39 seasons)
10 Postseason Appearances, 1 Championship, 3 GM of the Year
Caleca Award: 2059
Former BBA GM: Many (Brewster Memorial Champion: 1997-Hackensack Bulls)
Boise Home Page (roster, prospects, etc.)
- aaronweiner
- BBA GM
- Posts: 12396
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:56 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 934 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Fixed. That was where I left off last night.
- Jwalk100
- GB: FL Pacific Division Director
- Posts: 4305
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2020 9:42 pm
- Has thanked: 2531 times
- Been thanked: 1231 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Great writeup as usual!
Hawaii drafted Nahele Akeakamai.
(Pronounced- Nah-healey A Kia ka my.)
Hawaii drafted Nahele Akeakamai.
(Pronounced- Nah-healey A Kia ka my.)
- Krathan
- GB: JL Atlantic Division Director
- Posts: 1429
- Joined: Sat May 13, 2023 4:41 pm
- Has thanked: 821 times
- Been thanked: 541 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Nice write-up. I enjoy reading your thoughts on these guys.
Krathan (Nathan)
Cairo Pharaos GM 2055 (2055 GBC Champion)
Charlotte Cougars/Flyers GM Sept. 2055-??? (2058, 2059, 2060 JL Wildcard, 2062 Atlantic Division Champion, and 2060 and 2062 JL Pennant)
Cairo Pharaos GM 2055 (2055 GBC Champion)
Charlotte Cougars/Flyers GM Sept. 2055-??? (2058, 2059, 2060 JL Wildcard, 2062 Atlantic Division Champion, and 2060 and 2062 JL Pennant)
- shoeless.db
- BBA GM
- Posts: 2601
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2019 10:25 pm
- Has thanked: 2101 times
- Been thanked: 1280 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Part of the conversation in Popeland around drafting Gonsales was the option to try adding a pitch via the Dev Lab. Figured the crazy intangibles may just push it to being a success.
If not, he should be a great backend reliever with potential to grow.
If not, he should be a great backend reliever with potential to grow.
shoeless
-- Vic Caleca Team News Award Winner 2052
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2039-2054
-- Mental Health Recharge 2055-2056
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2057-2062
-- Cobble Hill Robins 2063-?
Life is a bit more beautiful when time is measured by the half inning rather than the half hour.
-- Vic Caleca Team News Award Winner 2052
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2039-2054
-- Mental Health Recharge 2055-2056
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2057-2062
-- Cobble Hill Robins 2063-?
Life is a bit more beautiful when time is measured by the half inning rather than the half hour.
- aaronweiner
- BBA GM
- Posts: 12396
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:56 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 934 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
That sort of thing didn't occur to me because his stamina is "only" 4. I'll be interested to see how that works out.shoeless.db wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 1:11 pmPart of the conversation in Popeland around drafting Gonsales was the option to try adding a pitch via the Dev Lab. Figured the crazy intangibles may just push it to being a success.
If not, he should be a great backend reliever with potential to grow.
- aaronweiner
- BBA GM
- Posts: 12396
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:56 pm
- Has thanked: 88 times
- Been thanked: 934 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Thanks! I use last year's template and miss a couple, always appreciated; fixed.
- shoeless.db
- BBA GM
- Posts: 2601
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2019 10:25 pm
- Has thanked: 2101 times
- Been thanked: 1280 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
I roll with three or four stamina guys almost every year. I have three this season (Moore, Warren, Tanaka). Four is almost TOO much stamina...aaronweiner wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 1:35 pmThat sort of thing didn't occur to me because his stamina is "only" 4. I'll be interested to see how that works out.shoeless.db wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2024 1:11 pmPart of the conversation in Popeland around drafting Gonsales was the option to try adding a pitch via the Dev Lab. Figured the crazy intangibles may just push it to being a success.
If not, he should be a great backend reliever with potential to grow.
High control, Low Stamina > Low Control, High Stamina guys
shoeless
-- Vic Caleca Team News Award Winner 2052
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2039-2054
-- Mental Health Recharge 2055-2056
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2057-2062
-- Cobble Hill Robins 2063-?
Life is a bit more beautiful when time is measured by the half inning rather than the half hour.
-- Vic Caleca Team News Award Winner 2052
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2039-2054
-- Mental Health Recharge 2055-2056
-- Sacramento Mad Popes 2057-2062
-- Cobble Hill Robins 2063-?
Life is a bit more beautiful when time is measured by the half inning rather than the half hour.
- cheekimonk
- BBA GM
- Posts: 5968
- Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:46 pm
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Has thanked: 302 times
- Been thanked: 277 times
- Contact:
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
No worries!! Now I have to decide if Grimore is too valuable to put in the dev lab to overcome his fragility.
Ben Teague GM Boise Spuds
2964-3356, .469 PCT (39 seasons)
10 Postseason Appearances, 1 Championship, 3 GM of the Year
Caleca Award: 2059
Former BBA GM: Many (Brewster Memorial Champion: 1997-Hackensack Bulls)
Boise Home Page (roster, prospects, etc.)
2964-3356, .469 PCT (39 seasons)
10 Postseason Appearances, 1 Championship, 3 GM of the Year
Caleca Award: 2059
Former BBA GM: Many (Brewster Memorial Champion: 1997-Hackensack Bulls)
Boise Home Page (roster, prospects, etc.)
- lordtoffee
- BBA GM
- Posts: 939
- Joined: Sat Dec 21, 2019 8:23 am
- Has thanked: 53 times
- Been thanked: 354 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
I am going to really enjoy having Virk. He is going to need some seasoning, but thankfully there is no need to rush him to the big leagues.
President of Baseball Operations - Sacramento Mad Popes
Former GM of the Brooklyn Robins
Former GM of the Brooklyn Robins
-
- Ex-GM
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2021 9:36 pm
- Has thanked: 961 times
- Been thanked: 231 times
Re: Analysis of the First Round of the 2060 BBA Amateur Draft
Morris, Mendoza, Wilson, and Flores were the other guys at #9 I most considered drafting. If he develops, I hope that strong defense and my 6-man rotation will cover for Cobar's mediocre stamina.
I love Hopkins, but he reminds me too much of a 3B in another league who can't go 4 sims without a 2-week injury. Hope he stays healthy!
I love Hopkins, but he reminds me too much of a 3B in another league who can't go 4 sims without a 2-week injury. Hope he stays healthy!
BBA GM, Rockville Pikemen
Former UMEBA GM, Mumbai Metro Stars
SDMB GM, Toronto Beavers
Former UMEBA GM, Mumbai Metro Stars
SDMB GM, Toronto Beavers
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests