This Bud's for you?

[ae37jr]

Every team dreams of striking it rich with the first overall pick in the draft. It's consolation prize for a last place finish. You get to pick from any eligle player you want. There is no obstruction, counter offer, rule 6, rule 7, section 8...nothing that prevents you from having your pick of the litter. Then jackpot! A once in a generational player comes along and you're lucky enouh to have the first pick. It's the dream of every EBA owner. But with every dream comes reality. What if that player doesn't pan out?

Frank 'Dawg' Bud is far and away the class of the 2026 EBA draft. He could very well be the second coming of Alfredo 'Savage' Salazar. That comparison has not only EBA teams watching but MBWBA teams a like who are already county down the years till Dawg is up for grabs. Frank Bud has all world power, a great eye and great contact potential. But potential may be the key word. Bud hit a mere .214/.283/.405 at the college level over 42 at bats as a 23 year old. This brings up a lot of questions.

Is it just a short sample?- 42 at bats could be quantified as a mini slump. It's certainly not worth passing on an elite player over.

At Age 23, shouldn't he be near his peak?- This is the real question in my opinion. A college aged player should really be a lot closer to his peak. Does Bud have too far to go too fast in terms of deveopment? Will he ever reach is full potential?

Will his defense be a liability? No doubt a DH is less valuable then a position player. This is even more so the case in the EBA where it is common place for past their prime MBWBA Vets to finish out their career as designated hitters. Is it wise to build a team around a young DH?

Will an EBA team get trigger happy and waste him? Assuming it takes Bud 3-4 years to fully develop, will an EBA team be patient enough to let him linger in the minors at age 26-27 to get the most out of his prime years before losing him to the MBWBA? Or will they rush him up at age 24-25 and lose him as a 30 year old beast just entering his prime?

How much value is in a player certain to be a Rule 6 pick?- This is the ultimate EBA draft dillema. Which is a more valuable asset? 4 seasons of Frank Bud or 10-12 seasons of a player of slightly less skill.

With so many questions left to be answered, one thing is for sure. Frank Bud will still be drafted #1.

[Lane]

Yeah that's pretty undeveloped for a 23 year old...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[udlb58]

He's definitely underdeveloped for 23, but I bet he'd still have been a top 10 pick in this MBBA draft.

[jiminyhopkins]

What a crappy year to draft #2.

Should have tanked (hypothetically!)....