2032 Draft Analysis - Winston and Finn

[allenr]

Round 1
pick 21
[hr]

Juan Lopes to California


Juan Lopes - (3/6/4 current, 6/8/7 potential)

Juan Lopes is a three pitch starting pitcher prospect. Moderate velocity touching 92. Not bad for 17 years old, but could use some strengthening. No fastball, but features a cutter. Hails from Panama. No stats, no reports. Hard to project success with this one, but as always, any development over the next couple years could change things. Good movement potential is a plus, but the lack of breaking ability for a pitcher who features breaking type pitches as his primary is not promising.

W - You know where this one is headed, Finn.

F - Hey, he's got a photo. We could talk about that!

W - He's rather ordinary looking, Finn. Nothing to see here. I'm inclined to call lottery ticket on this guy. Might become useful, but he's more likely to end up like you, buddy!

F - There are worse things to be, Winston.

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 22
[hr]

Hurricane Dundee


John Dundee - (3/3/1/1/2 current, 7/9/6/3/7 potential)

Dundee is an outfielder from last year's draft. Round 3 pick that failed to sign with the Nine. Has improved only incrementally since then, though projections remain the same. Some extra development would be nice given age, but the upside could make up for it. Slightly above average in most categories, Dundee could become quite productive. Has posted positive defensive numbers thus far, but defense not really suited to centre field in the majors at the moment. Will need some work or a position change. Case of the not so smarts is strong in this one, and he is the embodiment of "it's not about whether you win or lose."

W - I like John Dundee, Finn. I liked him last year, too. He goes much earlier this year as the draft class is thinner, but he's a solid choice. Nothing too flashy, but solid all-around.

F - That's some kind of praise from you, Winston. You must be getting tired.

W - I am, I am. And hey, this guy is the second auto-pick. That's some fancy machine that just randomly selects guys from the list. Did a pretty good job, here I think.

F - I wonder if I was auto-picked...

[Edward Murphy]

enjoyed the series thanks

[allenr]

Still 7 left!

[bschr682]

Round 1
Pick 15
[hr]

Kernels Taub, reporting for Duty


Stephen 'Little Steven' Taub - (3/5/4 current, 8/7/7/ potential)

This guy clearly had no friends growing up, because Little Steven isn't even a nickname, let alone a nickname for someone who spells their name Stephen. Anyway, despite the lack of friends and the horrible nickname, Taub can already sorta pitch, and is tagged to get better. From the same type of mold as the previously selected Estes, Taub is a 4 pitch starter, though the changeup is just barely a pitch at this point, and we all know how that goes. Doesn't quite throw as hard as Taub either, a devestating curveball and/or changeup could help that. Both preferable if he wants to start. Stephen 'Little Steven' is very John Smith personality wise.

W - There are so many names in this writeup, I'm not even sure what the actual name of the kid is. I do know he's 17, he's got 4 pitches, mostly, and he's supposed to become a decent pitcher. But then we say that about everyone in the first round.

F - Well we can't rightly say much else about first rounders, or nobody will tune it to watch anymore, Winston.

W - Not exactly my point, Finn, but whatever! I'm excited to see how these prospects pan out over the next few years, especially given how similarly they are projected.

F - Me too, Winston. My memory isn't too good though, so I'll likely forget these draft picks by about, oh, next week.

W - Hopeless... absolutely hopeless.

Here. I guess maybe his nickname should be little bandit instead of little steven.

[allenr]

Right on!

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 23
[hr]

Chester Larkin to become a Mountie


Chester Larkin - (5/5/4/4/6 current, 7/8/6/5/8 potential)

Chester Larkin, come on down. You're the next contestant on ... ok, this isn't a game show. But Chester Larkin is a pretty good catch at pick 23. Solid if not spectacular projections at the plate, and average defensive capabilities, though his range leaves much to be desired. Larkin's a bit of a bad apple personality wise, though, with the only shiny spot being his smarts. Larkin's probably destined to be a first baseman or DH if he makes it at all, unless he develops the range to play second base. Three-time All-Star, All-Star MVP, batting title, 3rd in batting title voting... the kid is decorated out of high school. Hard to project it translating unless the defense comes up though. His bat is pretty solid for 18, however. We like the word solid. Amazingly, Larkin has posted a +25 ZR through high school, despite the lack of range. Pretty impressive! Solid even.

W - Finally some info. I like seeing kids with All-Star appearances. Even more so batting titles. You know they've performed. Larkin ticks both boxes, so that's pretty exciting at this point in the draft, though admittedly the rest of the herd is pretty thin.

F - Herd. Haha, like they're cattle.

W - It's an expression, Finn. Let's be adults here. Besides, it's not even funny.

F - It's kinda funny. Like the thought of Chester taking a contract with a team for less than someone else offers.

W - He is rather greedy!

F - Greedy. Haha, like he's greedy!

W - What the ....

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 24
[hr]

Katzenbogen-man of Hunstville?


David 'Bazooka' Katzenbogen - (3/4/2/4/2 current, 4/4/4/6/4 potential)

Katzenbogen is a 1st round pick for the second year in a row. He's actually gotten worse at hitting than last time when he failed to sign. He's almost at his potential already, really, which isn't promising. What IS promising, is that this kid is potentially the greatest defensive catcher to ever grace the planet. His arm is off the charts, his catching senses are off the charts. Will that make up for batting .200 or less? Maybe if he walks a lot. Throw into the mix the fact that he's also Mr. Nice Guy, hard-working and intelligent, and maybe Katzenbogen is worth the first round pick even if he never does learn to hit.

W - Katzenbogen seems kinda like you, Finn, except he's got defensive abilities to go with the fact that he can't hit.

F - You know, I was drafted, Winston. I wasn't THAT bad a catcher. Though admittedly I couldn't hit a beach ball half the time without losing my bat.

W - Fine, fine, I'll be nicer. David's a weird experiment, in that it's not clear how much value incredible defense behind the plate is worth if you never get on base offensively. I mean, if he can improve a pitching staff enough he's certainly worth the value, but that is a hard thing to measure and pin on one man.

F - You're getting kinda serious, Winston. I'm not sure I like it.

W - I just can't win. Too serious and they're upset, too ... me... and they're upset. What am I getting paid for here?

F - You're getting paid... I thought this was volunteer work?

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 25
[hr]

Clarence Kirkpatrick snagged by Montreal


Clarence Kirkpatrick - (3/4/2/2/2 current, 6/7/8/6/5 potential)

Clarence has a pretty good bat. It's projected to get even better, with significant power potential. He's also rated with an above average eye, which is elite in this draft class. Defensive ratings below average, though he boasts a cannon arm. Doesn't care much for winning by all accounts. Finished 3rd in voting for a batting title, and has a single All-Star appearance. Clarence is fairly average, and could have a career in music if he doesn't pan out on the ball diamond.

W - I have to say, Finnigan, that I was mightily confused by the music nonsense until I looked at the Burger King's uniforms. The team looks like it should actually be a marching band. It's ridiculous.

F - I love me a good marching band, Winston. We didn't have one at my school.

W - He's a ball player, not a saxaphonist! Whoever designed those uniforms needs a new career.

F - There's a market for those, Winston. Just ask my wife.

W - I'm not sure I want to kn....

F - I mean, she owns several, though the skirt is much nicer than those pants.

W - I really don't need to kn...

F - I mean, if you can call it a skirt. It's kinda short.

W - Really, that's enough.

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 26
[hr]

Surfers take on a River-a


Eric Rivera - (3/4/1/3/4 current, 6/6/1/4/9 potential)

When you talk tall, you talk Rivera. Eric's a staggering 6'6" and only 17. That's pretty crazy. Not all that well developed, and not all that far from his hitting projection. Contact should be just a tick above average, but aside from that, his bat is unremarkable to the point of almost being undesirable. Defense is on the positive side though nothing to spend a fortune on. Elite hands and inclination for double plays, but he's gotta get to the ball first and then still throw it. Should be a plus defender, overall. Arms seem to be made of brittle plastic, having experienced two serious injuries already. Unimpressive personality, really.

W - I'm not even sure why this guy was picked, to be honest. Maybe someone really wanted to write the atrocious headline for us. It barely makes sense after all.

F - I kinda like it.

W - You would. Rivera is tall and has good hands and that's about where it ends. He's talented enough to field at shortstop and probably competently so, but I don't see much in the way of talent at the plate long-term. He's pretty much guaranteed to whack singles for a living, and probably foul off a lot of pitches that aren't even in the zone. That has its uses, but in my opinion he's likely a backup at best, maybe a defensive substitution.

F - Wow, that was solid. I'm loving it. And it's almost time to go!

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 27
[hr]

Phillips dressed to the Nine


Curt Phillips - (3/6/4 current, 8/7/7 potential)

3 pitches technically, 2 practically. Both should be excellent by the time they're developed. Effectively relegates Phillips to the bullpen, as a barely there changeup is a recipe for disaster. 17 year old righty who has pitched fairly well through high school. Single All-Star appearance. Smug look on a short kid. Intelligent pitcher with generally unremarkable characteristics. Projects to be a run of the mill reliever.

W - This one is boring, Finn. I can't even bring myself to analyze him. He's got two pitches really, already pitches out of the pen some, and is expected to look like most other relievers. I dunno what else to say.

F - Cant' even make fun of his picture, hmm?

W - Not even that. He looks pretty normal. Uniforms aren't silly. Thank goodness this is almost over. I need a drink.

F - Mmm. Strawberry daquiris.

W - Erm...

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 28
[hr]

Benjamin Clark Hustles to Vegas


Benjamin Clark - (4/5/3/3/3 current, 6/7/6/4/9 potential)

Righty righty catcher with slightly sub-par defensive skills, and projected slightly above average bat. One All-Star appearance. Shit-eating grin (I mean look at that picture). Needs a shave, too. That beard looks ridiculous. Case of the not so smarts. I guess that explains the grin. Works hard, and shows some leadership, though he's as likely to walk them off a cliff as he is to lead them to a Landis. Or something like that. Sounded better before it was written. You fix it. Oh ya, he's got cement shoes.

W - Looks like the writing crew went home early. This almost reads like you wrote it.

F - We've been over this - you wrote the drafts of these before it started.

W - No one asked you.

F - But you kinda....

W - No one asked you. I'm going to go on a limb and say that Benjamin Clark doesn't make the majors. It's not going to happen. Someone is going to punch him in the face with that grin, he'll suffer a concussion, and never be the same again. Which would actually be a good thing if he got better, but that doesn't tend to happen. So he'll mire away in the minors until he gets dropped and no one picks him up and then he'll end up tossing balls for little leaguers until a network picks him up to cover future drafts.

F - Uh Win, that sounds kinda familiar....

[allenr]

Round 1
Pick 29
[hr]

Louisville makes amazing selection with Matt Johnson


Matt 'The Shark' Johnson - (5/5/5/4/5 current, 6/7/5/5/7 potential)

Louisville makes the pick of the draft with Matt Johnston as they last selection in Round 1. Matt is a future superstar, and there's no way any other selection is better than this Louisville one. He's so good looking there isn't even a photo of him. He's not illuminati, he's just too damn handsome. On top of that, he's a fantastic hitter, and even better defender at shortstop. No one will stop him. He'll beat Jared Gillstorm and storm to the Hall of Fame, while riding a bear with lazerz for eyes. Only Hopkins could have engineered this. All hail Louisville.

W - Holy smokes, what a review. This guy isn't even that good. Who wrote that? I mean, sure, he's almost big league ready for some teams, and could maybe even play for Louisville at some point, but you'd think he was the best player ever from that write up.

F - We're getting paid under the table for this one, Winston, remember? Louisville cash? Like before?

W - Oh right, right. Best player ever. Right. Hopkins is the man.

F - He isn't really that bad a player. Could have gone sooner if you ask me.

W - Sure he could've. But he didn't, because Hopkins is just that good.

F - Right, right, he is. It's true.

W - Well folks, that's the end of our commentary on round 1, because I really can't stay awake any longer, the draft is already long over, and nobody cares about what we have to say about the rest of the draft. This took way longer than it should have, mostly because Finn here is really slow at handing me paper. Short arm you know.

F - I'm trying. Was trying. Tried. Whatever! You're mean.

W - Until next year, folks! We get to see who boomed and who busted, who married and who divorced (haha what?), and a whole new cast of clowns to add to everybody's rosters. I hope you had as much fun as we did (I don't actually care), and thanks for sticking with us. I know every other network finished hours ago and the lights aren't even on here anymore, but that's OK. We did it. It was quality, and it is OVER.

[felipe]

Concise and accurate; especially that last one

Loved it! That's a ton of great work!

Thanks for the series!

[RonCo]

This was a great read. Thanks!

[aaronweiner]

Fun to read and informative, too.

[Lane]

excellent work. fun read.