Draft Review 2002

The much anticipated draft review...

Each pick can get one of the following 2 labels. ST or LT.
ST = good short term pick, can help in 2002
LT = good long term pick, can help in the future

1st Round
Bill JASON ISRINGHAUSEN ST, LT
Closer St.Louis
Isringhausen is a good closer who just signed a 4 year contract. Bill
immediately traded Isringhausen to Jeff for prospects Marlon Byrd-Phillies
#1 prospect, Kelly Johnson-Braves #3 prospect and David Espinosa-Reds #7
prospect. Bill received some good prospects, I'm particularly high on Byrd
and Johnson, in return for Isringhausen, but I would have like to have seen
Bill make Isringhausen available to all owners in order to maximize his
return.

Chris PAUL LODUCA ST, LT
C Los Angeles
LoDuca came out of no where last year and had a very good offensive season.
His percentages of .320 BA, .374 OBP, .543 SLG are very good. However he is
30, and was never a prospect, thus he's needs to do it again in 2002 to
prove he's no fluke. I think LoDuca will end up as a slugging 1B down the
road. Chris traded LoDuca shortly after the draft to Dan for 3B Scott Rolen
and SP Chan Ho Park. Dan included Park in the deal because he was convinced
he was going to the AL, thus the deal is Rolen and a 1st round pick.
There's obviously uncertainty surrounding Rolen, since the Phillies are hot
to deal him away. However the Phillies should get good return if they do
deal Rolen to the AL.

Mike CHAD FOX ST, LT
Closer Milwaukee
Fox is a hard throwing set up man that will close for the Brewers in 2002.
Fox would probably still close over Curtis Leskanic even if Leskanic didn't
have shoulder surgery...Leskanic was very shaky in 2001. Mike traded Fox,
along with Fred McGriff to Jeff for Andruw Jones. I don't recommend trading
young closers, but if you had to, Jones is the type of return you need to
get. Jones is only 25, just signed a long term contract and despite his
subpar 2001 season he still has MVP ability. Jeff has formed a very good
bullpen with Jose Mesa, Isringhausen, Fox, Scott Sullivan and potentially
Danny Graves if he doesn't start.

John KEVIN MILLAR ST
RF, 1B Florida
Millar is a hitter I've always liked, I used a 1st round supplemental pick
on him in 2000, then after he failed to secure a starting job in 2000 I cut
him. Millar was never a top prospect, but he just hits. His percentages
from 2001 are very good .314 BA, .374 OBP, .557 SLG. Millar is currently
the Marlins' RF, but will end up playing 1B some day for some team. However
Millar must continue to hit, he's the type of player that if he slumps he
could end up being a utility player again...for this reason I didn't give
Millar a LT.

Jeff VINNY CASTILLA ST
3B Atlanta
Castilla was horrible in his 1 1/2 seasons in Tampa Bay, he then saved his
career when he was picked up by Houston. This is a risky pick, as I just
said Castilla stunk for the better part of the past 2 seasons, he's 34, and
had only a .320 OBP when he hit well with Houston in 2001. I could see
Castilla putting up respectable numbers, but I also could see Castilla
slipping back towards his Tampa days and struggling offensively. Castilla
is a prime example of how Coors Field can inflate a players value.

Mark MATT HERGES ST, LT
Closer, setup man Los Angeles
If the Dodgers don't bring in a closer, they most likely will give Herges a
shot at the job. Herges has been a solid middle man, set up guy the past 2
seasons. His numbers aren't that impressive, but he continually gets hyped
as the Dodgers next closer. Look for Darren Dreifort to emerge by 2003 as
the Dodgers' closer after he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Rich DENNIS TANKERSLEY LT
SP San Diego...should be the Padres' #2 prospect behing Sean Burroughs.
Tankersley is a big time SP prospect with a big time fastball and excellent
control. He should be the Padres' #2 prospect behind Sean Burroughs. There
is a cause for concern due to Tankersley being shut down at the end of 2001
with a sore elbow. I don't recommend taking SP prospects in the 1st round
of the draft, there are just so many of them it's not worthy spending a 1st
round pick on one...also a decent amount of these guys end up getting hurt
and never produce in the majors.

Arra, (Dan) JASON LANE LT
OF Houston's #4 prospect
Arra included this pick in a prearranged deal with Dan...Arra received
Edgardo Alfonzo and Travis Lee for Jeff Kent and this pick. Dan
likedIsringhausen, LoDuca, Fox and Millar, but felt the draft fell way off
after that...thus he went with the best prospect that was close to the
majors. Lane tore up AA last year and has to continue to prove himself to
people because of his age, 25, and the fact that he wasn't considered a top
prospect when drafted by the Astros. Lane could possibly start for the
Astros in 2002 if a spot opens up. Dan traded Lane to Bill in a deal for
Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg is similar to Lane, in that he's old for a
prospect, 26, wasn't considered a top prospect when drafted, but he
continues to hit like Lane has. Ensberg will have a shot at starting at 3B
for the Astros in 2002...ROY candidate?

Bill CARLOS HERNANDEZ ST, LT
SP Houston's #1 prospect
Hernandez is another big time SP prospect. The difference between him and
Tankersley is that Hernandez pitched in the bigs in 2001 and will competing
for a rotation spot this Spring. Hernandez was dominant in 3 major league
starts in 2001, however there is a downside....Hernandez had a partial tear
in his rotator cuff from a head first slide. Supposedly rest will cure the
tear, but there has to be some concern here.

Chris JEREMY FIKAC ST, LT
Setup man San Diego
This was a surprise pick, a set up man going in the 1st round. Fikac wasn't
a top prospect, was a 26 year old rookie and doesn't have a big time
fastball; but he puts up good numbers. He was dominant in 69 AA IP in 2001,
then was very good in 26 major league IP. As Chris was touting at the
draft, Fikac would probably close if Trevor Hoffman went down. Dan was
hoping to get Fikac in the mid to late rounds of the draft.

Ken AARON HEILMAN LT
SP New York's #1 prospect
Here's another big time SP prospect...good fastball & great control.
Heilman spent 4 years in college and was pretty good at AA in his pro debut
in 2001. He could challenge for a rotation spot in 2003 with the Mets, if
he continues his development in the minors in 2002.

Chris SCOTT CHIASSON LT
Middle man/setup man Chicago's #9 prospect
Chiasson was an OK SP prospect going in to 2001. He then was made in to a
reliever, starting throwing gas and become a good closer prospect. Chiasson
will compete for a spot in the Cubs bullpen this Spring. I would like
Chiasson a lot more if Kyle Farnsworth wasn't around...Farnsworth is a
dominanct closer waiting to happen...watch for Farnsworth in 2002 when
Flash Gordon breaks down again. Bill received Chiasson in a trade from the
AL for 3B prospect Eric Hinske prior to the 2001 season. Bill, with the
advisement of Dan, later cut Chiasson.

2nd Round
Ken CHRIS BURKE LT
SS Houston's #3 prospect
Burke was drafted in 2001 by the Astros after a 3 year college career. He
was a good upside offensively, and depending on whether or not Adam Everett
can secure the Astros' SS position, Burke could move to 2B.

Bill BOOF BONSER LT
SP San Francisco's...will probably be the Giants' #2 prospect behind Jerome
Williams.
Bonser is another big time starting pitching prospect. Bonser is big,
throws gas, and is only 2 years out of high school.

Bill JOSE REYES LT
SS New York's #3 prospect
Reyes came out of no where in 2001 to emerge as a good hitting SS prospect.
The Mets have tired of Ordonez' anemic bat, despite his great D...and will
turn SS over to Reyes perhaps sometime in 2003 if Reyes continues his
development.

Mike FRED MCGRIFF ST
1B Chicago
Mike took McGriff only to turn around and trade, figuring he could get good
value for him. Mike did just that, including McGriff in a deal with his 1st
round pick Chad Fox for Andruw Jones. McGriff is 38 and this could be his
last season.

John ROGER CEDENO ST, LT
CF/RF New York
This is a very good pick in this slot...Cedeno should of went 1st round.
Cedeno is only 27, and as long as he can stay healthy and post a
respectable OBP, he will be productive for the Mets. John threw Cedeno in
the deal to Alex, when John gave up Kerry Wood for Rixie Sexson.

Jeff, (Bill) KELLY JOHNSON LT
SS Atlanta's #3 prospect
I like Johnson, as he has a very high upside offensively. He will probably
end up playing either 3B, RF or LF for the Braves. Jeff traded Johnson to
Bill in a prearranged deal for Jason Isringhausen.

Mark ALEX GONZALEZ ST, LT
SS Chicago
Gonzalez has never lived up to the billing he receive as a hitter. His
lifetime percentages of .245 BA, .304 OBP and .386 SLG are very weak. Mark
traded Gonzalez to Alex for some crap...I don't remember what he received.

Rich DAVE WEATHERS ST
Setup man New York
Weathers has a very good setup man in 2001, and he could have a solid
season setting up Armando Benitez in 2002. The addition of 5 points for
holds to our scoring system justifiably gave value to players such as
Weathers. Dan half jokingly projected Rich to take Weathers in the 1st
round. I believe Rich's 2 prior 1st round picks have been Steve Kline and
Scott Sauerbeck...2 more setup men.

Alex MIGUEL BATISTA ST
SP Arizona
Batista's stock rose after his strong showing in the 2001 playoffs. Batista
has been an inconsistent swing man in his 5 year career and had a 8.54 ERA
in 2000...so he's obviously not a sure thing.

John JIMMY JOURNELL LT
SP St. Louis' #1 prospect
Here's another stud starting pitching prospect. However I like Journell
more than the others due to talk of him being moved to the bullpen to be a
closer. Journell has an electric fastball and was a closer in college.

Dan BUBBA TRAMMELL ST, LT
OF San Diego
Dan was shocked that Trammell didn't go in the 1st round. Trammell had 26
HR's and 92 RBI in 2001. Trammell currently doesn't have a starting spot
due to the Padres' inability to dump Ray Lankford. Trammell has proven to
be too productive to remain a reserve player, and the Padres will make room
for him or trade him to a team that will give him a chance to play every
day. Dan cut Trammell following the 2000 season after receiving him from
the AL.

Mark TIM SPOONEYBARGER LT
Setup man Atlanta's #11 prospect
Spooneybarger has a big time fastball and is Atlanta's future closer.
Spooneybarger could make the Atlanta bullpen in the Spring '02 and emerge
as a setup man for John Smoltz in 2002. I was thinking Spooneybarger with
my pick above, but was surprised to see Trammell and then Jimenez still
available.

Dan D'ANGELO JIMENEZ ST, LT
2B San Diego
Jimenez was a top prospect with the Yankees, before coming over for middle
man Jay Witasick. Jimenez has good upside offensively and will move to 2B
from SS after the Padres acquired Ramon Vazquez from Seattle to play SS.
Mike talked for months about taking Jimenez with the 3rd pick in the draft,
and I was surprised he passed on him for Fred McGriff in the 2nd round.

Mark TYLER HOUSTON ST
3B Milwaukee
After making a shrewd pick in taking Spooneybarger, Mark took a player that
fits his typical mold. That mold is mediocre players that have starting
positions...Mark loves these guys...give him a stud and he'll gladly trade
that stud for 3 mediocre players. Houston was off to a great start in 2001
before getting injured. However Houston is unproven for a full season, he's
never had more than 284 ab's in a season.

3rd Round
Ken GIOVANNI CARRARA ST
Middle man/Setup man Los Angeles
This picked surprised me. A first year expansion owner taking a 34 year old
middle man/set up man, who had 23 IP in the majors in the 4 seasons prior
to 2001. Carrara was good in 2001, but he belongs on a contending team. We
shouldn't be that surprised with Ken making this move, just look at the
crap he kept from the expansion draft...these guys should not be on a 1st
year expansion team: Brad Ausmus, Mike Matheny, Warren Morris, Derek Bell,
Marquis Grissom, Adrian Brown, Emil Brown, Mike Timlin and Wayne
Gomes...and most of them shouldn't be on any team.

Chris BILL HALL LT
SS Milwaukee's #2 prospect
Hall is a good offensive SS prospect. Hall come out of no where in 2001 to
emerge as a prospect. I'm not sold yet and we wait to see him prove he's a
legitimate prospect in 2002.

Mike JOSE VALVERDE LT
RP Arizona's #6 prospect
Valverde has an upper 90's fastball and is considered Arizona's future
closer. Valverde just needs to improve his control, he could with good
development at AAA in 2002, Valverde could emerge in the D'Backs' bullpen
in 2002.

Mike GRADY SIZEMORE LT
OF Montreal's #3 prospect
Sizemore has great talent and hasn't come close to peaking his potential. I
like Sizemore a lot and could see him breaking out in 2002 and emerging as
a big time prospect. Dan projected drafting Sizemore for himself in the
late rounds.

Jeff DAVID WRIGHT LT
3B New York's #7 prospect
Wright is a good offensive prospect. He's 2 years out of high school and
has a ways to go.

Mark SCOTT STEWART ST, LT
Setup man Montreal
Mark continues to build up his bullpen while drafting his 3rd reliever out
of 4 picks. I like Steward a lot. I don't think he's going to be a closer,
but he could be a very good set up man. His numbers were very good in his
rookie season of 2001. I could change my opinion of Stewart as a closer
once I find out if he has a big time fastball or not.

Mike JOHN VAN BECHSCHOTEN LT
SP Pittsburgh's #2 prospect
Another starting pitching prospect. Van Bechschoten was a big time hitter
in college and was projected by most teams to be a hitter and not a
pitcher. The Pirates obviously like Van Bechschoten as a pitcher and his a
good prospect with a very good fastball.

John TY HOWINGTON LT
SP Cincinnati's #2 prospect
Yet another starting pitching prospect. I'm not crazy about Howington and
don't think he will develop in to a good major league starting pitcher.
John cut Howington following the 2000 season, in which Howington struggled
with injuries and control.

Alex JEFF FASSERO ST
Setup man Chicago
Everyone knew Fassero would end up with Alex. Who else would draft a 39
year old setup man, who's immediate prior track record is weak...I guess
Ken would. All kidding aside, Fassero was terrific in 2001, he had 12 saves
and 25 holds. Just don't expect him to automatically repeat that
performance, Fassero is 39 and stunk in 2000 with the Red Sox.

Dan RUBEN QUEVEDO ST, LT
SP Milwaukee
Dan is very high on Quevedo. He was a good prospect with the Cubs before
coming over to Milwaukee in the Dave Weathers deal, he was dominant at AAA
in 2001 and then was very good in 10 big league starts. Dan is trying to
rebuild his starting pitcher staff with young pitchers who have high
upside, Quevedo fits this bill, as do Eric Gagne, Bud Smith and Kip Wells.

Alex CRAIG COUNSELL ST
2B Arizona
I was convinced prior to the draft that Craig "mediocre" Counsell would end
up on Mark's team...Mark's mentor, Alex, beat him to the punch. Counsell
shockingly took Jay Bell's 2B job from him in 2001. Despite Counsell's good
offensive showing in 2001, he will have to continue to hit or he will be
sucked back in to a utility IF's role.

4th Round
Ken BRAD LIDGE LT
SP Houston's #5 prospect
I like Lidge a lot, I've been following him for the past few seasons. Lidge
has an electric fastball and could move to the bullpen in 2002, due to some
durability issues. Lidge is a good closer prospect if he does go to the
bullpen.

Jeff JASON PHILLIPS
C prospect New York didn't make the Mets' top 15 prospect list
Phillips is a good D, suspect hitting prospect. He had some value with
Piazza eventually moving to 1B...bu the Mets now have Mo Vauhn at 1B and
Phillips is out of value.

Rich CHRIS NARVESON LT
SP St.Louis' #2 prospect
Narveson was named the Cardinal's number 2 prospect, despite ending 2001
with Tommy John surgery. Narveson doesn't have a big time fastball, coming
off TJ surgery...not crazy about him.

Alex DELINO DESHIELDS ST
2B Chicago
DeShields will play 2B for the Cubs, taking over for Eric Young. DeShields
is inconsistent offensively these days and is only keeping 2B warm until
prospect Bobby Hill is ready.

Alex JOHN BURKETT LT
SP Boston
Burkett was rumored to be signing with Boston at the time of the draft,
thus Burkett fell to the 4th round. Alex will..actually Chris will get a
1st round pick for Burkett. Alex traded Burkett to Chris in a deal I don't
remember...I can't keep up with the Staples connection of Mark, Chris and
Alex.

Alex RAY KING ST
Setup man Milwaukee
King is a solid lefthand set up man, who had 18 holds in 2001. I see King
as a lefty specialist with no closing in his future.

Mark GARY MATTHEWS JR.
OF New York
Matthews showed potential of being a decent hitter with the Pirates in
2001. I was surprised when they traded him last week to the Mets. In Pitt,
it appeared Matthews would start in CF...with the Mets if looks like
Matthews will be a reserve OF.

Mark KERRY ROBINSON
OF St.Louis
Robinson is a reserve OF, with an outside, outside, outside chance of
becoming a starting player.

5th Round
Chris MIKE DEJEAN ST
Middle man/setup man Milwaukee
DeJean was once considered a closer prospect because of his very good
fastball, but he's been inconsistent for most of his career. DeJean did put
up solid numbers in 2001 and might be finally turning the corner towards a
quality pitcher. Dan drafted DeJean on those closer merits back in 1998,
but cut him after he posted a 8.41 ERA that season.

Rich GAVIN FLOYD LT
SP Philadelphia's #3 prospect
Floyd has a big time fastball and is another good starting pitcher
prospect. Here's my point on drafting starting pitchers in the 1st
round...why spend a 1st rounder on Heilman or Tankersley, when you can get
a Floyd in the 5th round?

Dan JASON BERE ST
SP Chicago
Bere had a decent season in 2001, 223 points under the new scoring system.
However he's been either hurt, mediocre or bad for the remainder of his
career. Bere was the finally piece to the puzzle in Dan's deal with Mark in
acquiring Eric Gagne for Mike Lieberthal and Marlon Anderson.

Mark BENITO SANTIAGO ST
C San Fransisco
Santiago is 37 and isn't that good of a hitter anymore. But he does start,
and catchers who play often have value.

Chris MIKE MYERS
Setup man Colorado
Myers is a lefty specialist who only had 64 points under the new scoring
system in 2001...not sure why he was picked.

Dan RAUL CASANOVA LT
C Milwaukee
Casanova has good potential offensively, he had a .484 SLG and 11 HR's in
192 ab's in 2001. Casanova needs to wrestle playing time away from good D,
no hit Henry Blanco.

6th Round
Mike JULIAN BENAVIDEZ LT
3B San Francisco...should be one of the Giants' top 5 prospects.
Benavidez is real young and has good upside offensively.

Rich MIKE NANNINI
SP prospect Houston
Nannini didn't make the Astos' top 15 prospect list. He's fastball was
dipped in to the 80's and shouldn't have been drafted.

7th Round
Mike CARLOS SILVA LT
SP Philadelphia's #10 prospect
Silva doesn't get great results, but he has big time stuff. There's some
talk of him going to the bullpen and becoming a closer prospect.

Dan JAKE GAUTREAU LT
2B San Diego...should be one of the Padres' top 10 prospects
Gautreau was a big time hitter in college and has good power potential. He
was drafted as a 3B, but will try 2B due to Sean Burroughs presence. Dan
included Gautreau in the deal with Bill for Bud Smith.

Dan GARRETT GENTRY
C prospect Colorado
Gentry didn't make the Rockies' top 15 prospect list. Dan was shocked by
this...Gentry was the #6 prospect in the Midwest League and was being hyped
as the Rockies' future catcher. This is reminisent of last year when Dan
drafted Jody Gerut in the late rounds prior to BA posting the NL West
prospects. Gerut didn't make the Rockies' top 15 prospect list either.

8th Round
Mike TOM WHITEMAN LT
SS/2B Houston's #10 prospect
Whiteman was good potential offensively, but doesn't have the upside of
Chris Burke.

Dan NIC JACKSON LT
OF Chicago's #6 prospect
Jackson has good potential offensively. Dan included Jackson in a the deal
with Bill...don't remember which deal.

9th Round
Mike CARLOS DURAN LT
OF Atlanta's #5 prospect
Duran has good potential offensively. He's 19 and a long way away from the
bigs.

Dan JOHN RIEDLING LT
Middle man/set up man Cincinnati
Riedling was off to a good start in his career before ending 2001 with
shoulder surgery. Despite being out with shoulder surgery, BA still named
Riedling the Reds closer in 3 years. Mike cut Riedling after the 2001
season, due to the shoulder surgery.

10th Round
Mike YADIER MOLINA LT
C St.Louis' #5 prospect
This is the only player drafted that Dan had not heard of previously...and
that's because BA didn't delivery his issue on time. Molina has good
offensive potential, but he's 19 and quite a few years away...a recurring
theme for Mike.

Dan GUILLERMO MOTA ST/LT
Setup man Montreal
Mota was once considered the Expos' future closer. He has a big time
fastball and pitched well in 2001 while getting 12 holds. With more
development in 2002, Mota could challenge Scott Stickland for the Expos'
closer job. Rich previously had Mota, and I don't remember when Rich cut
Mota.

11th Round
Mike JORGE PADILLA LT
OF Philadelphia's #7 prospect
Padilla has decent potential offensively...at 22 he's still more of a tools
guy, than production guy.

Dan MARK COREY LT
RP New York's #11 prospect
Corey is 26, but has a big time fastball. He could challenge for a spot in
the Mets bullpen in 2002. Dan traded Corey to Bill.

12th Round
Mike JOSH KARP LT
SP Montreal's #5 prospect
Karp signed late in 2001 and didn't make his pro debut. His stuff was once
considered equal to Mark Prior while they were both in the same conference
in college. However Karp didn't pitch to his billing...he's still
considered a good prospect.

Dan MIKE TROMBLEY ST
Middle man/setup man Los Angeles
Trombley is 35 and is a fallen closer from 1999. But he did have 6 saves
and 13 holds in 2001.

13th Round
Dan JOSIAS MANZANILLO ST
Middle man/ setup man Free Agent
Manzanillo is 34, but he put up very good numbers in 2001. Manzanillo will
make a good setup man for whoever he signs with.