WHIV 2036.16- Recapping the Draft

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WHIV 2036.16- Recapping the Draft

Post by recte44 » Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:23 am

Recapping the Draft
July 23, 2018

Off Topic
Grade A prospects are the elite. In theory, they have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Theoretically, most Grade A prospects develop into stars or at least major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don’t intervene. Note that is a major “if” in some cases.

Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.

Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don’t make it at all.
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Drafted SP Luis German (8/6/7 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 1, Pick 30, 30th overall pick).
18 years old, German projects to be a big league starter. With great stuff, four good pitches, and decent stamina he has all the tools the Hustlers are looking for in a starting pitcher.
Grade: B+
Best Case: #3 Starter
Likely: #4-5 Starter
BBA ETA: 2039

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Drafted CF Mike England (5/9/7/6/5 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 2, Pick 31, 72nd overall pick).
The Hustlers drafted Englund for his positional versatility, and gap power potential. He will need to improve on his plate discipline, and while fast he's not a threat to steal because of his bad instincts.
Grade: C+
Best Case: Second Division Starter
Likely: First Division Utility Player
BBA ETA: 2038

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Drafted 2B Jose Valenzuela (6/9/6/5/7 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 3, Pick 29, 114th overall pick).
Valenzuela is an advanced bat for a 17 year old. He projects to be a decent contact hitter with exceptional gap power (sensing a trend here?), decent power, and better than average plate discipline. Unfortunately, he's borderline at second base and unplayable anywhere else on the field besides first base. His bat will need to carry him, and he'll need to be a starter to make it to the show.
Grade: C+
Best Case: Starting 2B
Likely: Bench Bat/AAA
BBA ETA: 2039

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Drafted 1B Nelion Mkubwa (7/7/7/6/6 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 4, Pick 25, 148th overall pick).
At age 19 was one of the top hitters in CCAS, winning the Platinum Stick Award for first basemen. The Hustlers are experimenting with him in the outfield, as he will need some versatility to make it to the big leagues. His bat could carry him. Good speed and great work ethic are plusses.
Grade: B-
Best Case: Starting 1B
Likely: Platoon 1B/OF
BBA ETA: 2038

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Drafted SP Jaime Sanchez (7/6/6 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 5, Pick 25, 178th overall pick).
This 19 year old righty had five years experience in high school ball, and now comes into the Hustlers system as an interesting arm. In order to stick in the rotation long term he'll need to show improvement across the board, but his live arm should factor at least in a bullpen role.
Grade: C+
Best Case: #5 Starter
Likely: Bullpen Arm
BBA ETA: 2038

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Drafted RF Chad Garrett (6/7/5/5/7 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 6, Pick 25, 208th overall pick).
The most advanced player drafted thus far, Garrett is a 21 year old lefty outfielder who could move quickly. He's an outstanding defensive corner outfielder with off the charts speed. Offensively he's a platoon bat with good gap power and otherwise average across the board.
Grade: B-
Best Case: Starting RF
Likely: Platoon RF
BBA ETA: 2037

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Drafted C Allvaro Espinoza (5/8/6/6/5 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 7, Pick 25, 238th overall pick).
A bat-first catcher without positional versatility, Espinosa may not have the arm to make it to the bigs. His bat, with plus-plus gap power and better than average power and eye was worth a shot here. Advanced for a 17 year old and the Hustlers spent $1.7 million to get him to sign, so there's motivation for him to succeed.
Grade: C
Best Case: Starting C
Likely: Reserve C
BBA ETA: 2039

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Drafted C Gary Hilbert (6/7/2/5/7 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 8, Pick 25, 268th overall pick).
Vegas went back to back catchers here with Hilbert. While better than Espinosa defensively, he's still average at best. He's more of a contact hitter than a power hitter, with better than average speed for a catcher. Might be able to play a corner outfield spot in a pinch, but unlikely.
Grade: C
Best Case: Reserve C
Likely: AAA/Depth
BBA ETA: 2039

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Drafted LF Bart Cluett (6/7/1/6/8 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 9, Pick 25, 298th overall pick).
An advanced college bat at age 22, Cluett played outfield in college but the Hustlers have designs on turning him into a super utility guy. He can play all three outfield positions (center field passably), and has already gained experience at second base and shortstop in the minors thus far. Outstanding speed but needs coaxing with his work ethic.
Grade: B-
Best Case: Starting 2B
Likely: Super Utility Player
BBA ETA: 2038

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Drafted RP Ashton Lopez (6/7/5 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 10, Pick 25, 328th overall pick).
Age 20, bounced between starting and relieving throughout his high school and college years. Hustlers will use him exclusively as a reliever. Movement is already advanced, stuff is ok but he relies on an outstanding sinker with three other subpar pitches. Control will need to improve, and Hustlers hope he'll grow into his 6'2" frame and build velocity (only 165 pounds as of now).
Grade: C+
Best Case: ML Reliever
Likely: Organizational Depth
BBA ETA: 2039

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Drafted CL Armando Guzman (7/6/5 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 11, Pick 25, 357th overall pick).
One of the top college relievers of the last two years, the 19 year old Guzman is almost fully developed. Great stuff and movement, though a subpar changeup may need to be removed at some point in a relief conversion. Control is an issue. Huge frame (6'7", 220) that may develop.
Grade: B-/C+
Best Case: High Leverage RP
Likely: ML Reliever
BBA ETA: 2038

Drafted SP Mark Walker in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 12, Pick 25, 385th overall pick).
DID NOT SIGN.


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Drafted RP Melorran McKaig (7/6/4 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 13, Pick 25, 413rd overall pick).
The big (6'5") Irishman has all of the endurance to start games, but not the necessary changeup to do so. Hustlers looking at him in relief though it's not out of the question he could start down the road. Control issues will determine his ultimate role.
Grade: C+
Best Case: #5 Starter
Likely: ML Reliever
BBA ETA: 2039

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Drafted LF Jim Unknown (5/7/6/6/5 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 14, Pick 25, 443rd overall pick).
One of those righty bats that is good across the board but doesn't wow you in any way, except this one can play a passable left field. His noodle arm will prevent him from playing elsewhere in the field. Decent speed, awesome intangibles which have him on the Hustlers radar.
Grade: C+
Best Case: Starting LF
Likely: Platoon/Bench Bat
BBA ETA: 2038

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Drafted SS Danny Walker (5/6/4/3/8 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 15, Pick 25, 473rd overall pick).
Hard to ignore his glove- which is great at shortstop, outstanding at second base, and otherworldly at third base. Could also play outfield corners in a pinch and the Hustlers will ultimately train him at all five positions. Bat is just ok but he does have some gap power and puts the ball in play more often than not. Very advanced for an 18 year old.
Grade: B-
Best Case: Starting Infielder
Likely: Utility Player
BBA ETA: 2038

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Drafted C Jeff May (5/6/3/5/5 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 16, Pick 25, 503rd overall pick).
Switch hitting catcher with an above average arm, could also become a decent first baseman with training. Bat is nothing to write home about. Leads the draft in mustache.
Grade: C
Best Case: Reserve Catcher
Likely: Organizational Depth
BBA ETA: 2040

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Drafted LF Bob Powers (6/7/6/6/6 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 17, Pick 25, 533rd overall pick).
Big Bad Bob's Bat is Blazin! A righty, he is a projected lefty masher who is damn near fully developed already. Problem is, he has no defensive position with left field being his only possibility. After crushing in college the Hustlers want to see him dominate levels and will advance him as he does so.
Grade: B-
Best Case: Platoon DH
Likely: Pinch Hitter
BBA ETA: 2038

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Drafted SP Sergio Torrez (7/3/5 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 18, Pick 25, 563rd overall pick).
Love his stuff and his three outstanding pitches. Don't like his control, hate his movement. This is exactly the kind of pitcher you take towards the end of the draft and see if maybe the Bump Master grants us a wish. Easy to dream on if that movement becomes a 6.
Grade: C
Best Case: #5 Starter
Likely: Organizational Depth
BBA ETA: 2040

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Drafted CF Roger Young (5/5/1/5/7 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 19, Pick 25, 593rd overall pick).
You can always count on the Hustlers to draft a bunch of guys like this. After Cluett and Walker now you can add Young to the stable of potential utility players in this draft class. He will be able to play all infield and outfield positions, and has the speed we look for from a bench player. At this point the bat is a huge question mark, as you'd expect from a 19th round pick. Still, Vegas has to feel pretty good about getting a guy with a chance here.
Grade: C
Best Case: Utility Player
Likely: Organizational Depth
BBA ETA: 2040

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Drafted LF Freddy Maradiaga (5/6/4/5/7 Talents) in the 2036 first-year player draft (Round 20, Pick 25, 623rd overall pick).
A fitting final pick. He can hit a little, can't field at all, and probably isn't long for the Hustlers organization.
Grade: C
Best Case: Makes it to the end of the year with the Hustlers organzation
Likely: Cut before 2036 is over
BBA ETA: In his wildest dreams

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Re: WHIV 2036.16- Recapping the Draft

Post by Lane » Fri Oct 19, 2018 8:42 am

Nice review. Deep draft.
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