Draft Review 2007

Good pick is a player that can help a team win in 2007, or a solid prospect.

OK pick is a player with questionable value for 2007 or a prospect with questionable value.

Bad pick is a player that probably doesn't deserve a roster spot in our league.

Where a player is drafted does not effect the ratings; a good pick is a good pick no matter what round of the selection.

Prospect rankings and future projections are from Baseball America.

1st Round:
#1 BOB Carlos Lee OF HOU
Good pick. Astros' LF. A no brainer pick for Bob. Lee is coming off a 555 point season and is signed through 2012.

#2 DIORIO Barry Zito SP SF
Good pick. Giants' Ace. Zito is a bit overrated, only putting up 249 points last year, but he'll be better in the NL and is signed through 2013.

#3 PAGS Takashi Saito CL LA
Good pick. Dodgers' Closer. Mike took Saito to trade, but is having trouble finding an owner to match his high asking price. The 36-year-old Saito was dominant last year, after only signing a minor league contract to leave Japan.
#4 ALEX Bob Wickman CL ATL
Good pick. Braves' Closer. Alex took a risky veteran closer last year in Gordon in the first round and does the same this year. Wickman has even more risk as he's not a dominant reliever and has another closer backing him up in Mike Gonzalez.

#5 MIKE A Brandon Phillips 2B CIN
Good pick. Reds' 2B. Phillips broke out last year after it appeared he was a failed prospect. I'm still a bit skeptical as Phillips had a low .315 OBP vs. right hand pitchers and was bad in September.

#6 BILL Taylor Tankersley RP FLO
Good pick. Marlins' potential Closer. I'm high on Tank as I think he'll gain decent points even as a set up man with a bunch of holds. Originally I thought Tank would be the default closer in Florida, but it appears the Marlins may be serious about giving Ricky Nolasco a chance at grabbing the role.

#7 MARK Chris Duncan OF STL
Good pick. Cardinals' LF. I'm a bit skeptical on Duncan. I love his numbers in the majors last year, but he was never much of a prospect and is a terrible defensive outfielder.

#8 MARK Mark DeRosa 2B CHI
Good pick. Cubs' 2B. This could be a burn pick. The Rangers gave DeRosa a lot of at bats last year as he put up 325 points. However, he's been a utility player most of his career, is 31, a much better hitter vs. lefties and struggled in September.

#9 KEN Adam Wainwright SP STL
Good pick. Cardinals' #4 SP. As long as Izzy holds up in Spring Training, Wainwright will stay in the rotation. I like Wainwright as a starter and think he'll has a decent season back in that role.

#10 PAUL Tim Lincecum SP SF
Good pick. Giants' future #2 SP. I love Lincecum and was hoping early in the offseason I could grab him in the 2nd round with my first pick. I thought Pags was going to take Lincecum over Saito and then Alex over Wickman, (moves that could come back to haunt those owners).

#11 PAUL Fernando Martinez OF NY
Good pick. Mets' future RF. Martinez is another strong season in the minors from being a Top 10 prospect in baseball. I liked Martinez in last Winters' Draft based on his BA write up, but didn't pull the trigger.

#12 KEN Clayton Kershaw SP LA
Good pick. Dodgers' future #3 SP. Another hot prospect who could be a Top 10 guy with continued development in the minors.

2nd Round:
#13 BOB Ronny Paulino C PIT
Good pick. Pirates' starting catcher. I like Paulino, but have a bit of skepticism as he came out of nowhere last year to become an offensive starting catcher.

#14 KEN Yovani Gallardo SP MIL
Good pick. Brewers' future #2 SP. Gallardo is a very good starting pitching prospect. I could see him breaking in to the majors this year and putting up decent points.

#15 PAGS Rafael Soriano RP ATL
Good pick. Braves' set up man. Soriano has been known for electric stuff and injuries over the past few years. Could have a lot of holds and decent points this year, but needs to prove he can stay healthy.

#16 MIKE A Ted Lilly SP CHI
OK pick. Cubs' #2 SP. There were some bad contracts given out in baseball this year and Lilly is at that top of that list with Gil Meche. Mike traded up to get Soriano in this spot and settled for Lilly who failed to break 200 points last year. Lilly could have a decent year for the Cubs, but he's been an inconsistent pitcher throughout his career.

#17 PAUL Bengie Molina C SF
Good pick. Giants' starting catcher. Molina signed a decent contract to start for the Blue Jays, but ended his stint there backing up Gregg Zaun. He'll be the main man in SF with Mike Matheny retiring and still managed to put up 272 points last year.

#18 BILL Adam Kennedy 2B STL
Good pick. Cardinals' 2B. Kennedy is a nice safe veteran pick coming off a 243 injury shortened season.

#19 KEN Scott Thorman 1B ATL
Good pick. Braves' 1B. The Braves believe in Thorman as they felt they could deal Adam LaRoche to improve the bullpen. I'm skeptical on Thorman as his prospect star isn't very bright and he struggled to get on base regularly in his big league trail last year.

#20 ALEX David Ross C CIN
OK pick. Reds' catcher. Ross put up decent numbers last year in limited duty; 178 points in 90 games. However, he's 29 and has been a back up catcher to this point in his career.

#21 MARK Alex Gonzalez SS CIN
OK pick. Reds' SS. It's hard for a starting player not to get a "Good pick" rating, but Gonzo just isn't a good hitter; 194 points last year with the Red Sox.

#22  ALEX Joey Votto 1B CIN
Good pick. Reds' future 1B. Votto fell off the prospect map prior to last year but came back with a strong 2006. Could be the Reds' 1B in 2008 with another strong showing in the minors. There are reservations here as Votto dropped so much in 2005.

#23 KEN Kory Casto OF WAS
Good pick. Nationals' future LF. Casto was picking up momentum early in the offseason with rumors of him taking over LF for Nats' in '07. However, Ryan Church is still around and Chris Snelling joined the picture. Casto is still a decent hitting prospect.

#24 BOB Gaby Sanchez 1B FLO
OK pick. Not in Marlins' future lineup. Questionable pick here by Bob. Sanchez is a fringe prospect. He's 23 and hasn't had success above low A ball yet.

#25 KEN Jason Jennings SP HOU
Good pick. Astros' #2 SP. I like Jennings. Only put up 181 points last year, but I think he could have his best season yet this year in Houston.

#26 KEN Joe Koshansky 1B COL
OK pick. Not in Rockies' future lineup. Koshansky is blocked by Todd Helton and could get dealt to the Royals for a couple of pud pitchers like Ryan Shealy was. Koshansky hits well in the minors, but doesn't impress Baseball America as they have him #13 on the Rockies' list.

#27 PAUL John Maine SP NY
OK pick. Mets' #5 SP. Maine had surprising success for the Mets' last year. I'm skeptical as he doesn't throw hard is was never much of a prospect.

3rd Round:
#28 BOB Franklin Morales SP COL
Good pick. Rockies' future Ace. Bob recovers well from the Gaby Sanchez pick and picks up an electric arm in Morales. If Morales wasn't in Coors Field he would be an even more intriguing prospect.

#29 KEN Brad Lincoln SP PIT
Good pick. Pirates' future Ace. This is a pitcher, along with Morales, I was hoping to get in the coming rounds. Lincoln was the 4th pick in the MLB draft last year, had good stuff and could get to the bigs quick.

#30 PAGS Carlos Gomez OF NY
Good pick. Not in Mets' future lineup, blocked by Lastings Milledge and Fernando Martinez. Gomez is a solid hitting prospect. Seems more tools than skills for my liking, as the OBPs haven't been impressive.

#31 BOB Brian Anderson RP SF
Bad pick. Not in Giants' future lineup. Bob picks a clanker here. (Stop reading those minor league numbers Bob). Anderson checked in at #19 on BA's Giants' list with his 88 mph fastball.

#32 PAUL Angel Villalona 3B SF
Good pick. Giants' future 3B. Dan was hoping to grab Villalona later in the draft. BA loves his hitting potential. Just 16, and wait until you see the BA write up.

#33 BILL Van Pope 3B ATL
OK pick. Not in Braves' future lineup. Pope is an OK hitting prospect. I'm not a big fan; don't see an everyday player here.

#34 KEN Dexter Fowler OF COL
Good pick. Rockies' future CF. Fowler is a prospect on the rise. BA loves him. A bit toolsy, but has a lot of upside.

#35 KEN Carlos Ruiz C PHI
OK pick. Phillies' back up catcher. I like Ruiz, although there's a chance he never hits in the majors. Will back up Rod Barajas this year.

#36 KEN Craig Wilson 1B/OF ATL
OK pick. Braves' bench player. I was impressed with most of Ken's picks as he was vacuumiung up a lot of prospects, but he did throw a clunker in this spot. Wilson will get limited at bats in 2007 playing off the Braves' bench.

#37 DAN Ricky Nolasco SP/RP FLO
Good pick. Marlins' potential closer or member of rotation. Nolasco is a pitcher Dan monitored for the Supplemental draft last year. Nolasco showed flashes of being a decent starting pitcher in his rookie season. Dan drafted him to be a starter, but the closer rumors are heating up. I do think Nolasco could be given the chance to assume the closers' role during Spring Training.

#38 KEN Chris Carter 1B ARI
OK pick. Not in D'Backs' future lineup. Carter is a hitter I was real high on earlier in the offseason. BA isn't as impressed ranking Carter 17th on the D'Backs list. Also blocked at 1B by Conor Jackson.

#39 PAGS Brent Lillibridge SS ATL
OK pick. Pirates' future SS prior to the trade. Lillibridge is a decent hitting prospect with a limited ceiling. Stock could jump this year if he hits in the upper minors like he did in the lower minors in '06.

#40 PAGS Chris Marrero OF WAS
OK pick. Nats' future RF. Marrero ranked #2 on BA's Nats' list, but Washington is very thin. I like Marrero, but we'll see this year if he's any good.

#41 KEN Nate Schierholtz OF SF
OK pick. Giants' future RF. Ranks #8 on BA's Giants' list. I liked Schierholtz prior to 2006, but he struggled and now is a fringe prospect. Ken included him to Dan in the LaRoche deal as a cut throw in. He's now a potential upcoming Supplmental cut for Dan.

#42 DAN Brian Wilson RP SF
Good pick. Giants' future Closer. Wilson could be given the opportunity to assume the Giants' closer role this Spring Training if Armando Benitez breaks down once again or his traded. Wilson throws gas.

#43 KEN Joe Smith RP NY
OK pick. Not in Mets' future lineup. Smith is a 2006 draftee that could get to the majors quickly as a submarining relief pitcher. I'm not a big fan, as I don't think he has much future closer value.

4th Round:
#44 PAGS Matt Wieters C Georgia Tech
OK pick. Wieters is the #2 ranked player for the 2007 MLB draft by BA behind Vanderbilt starting pitcher David Price.

#45 MARK Henry Owens RP FLO
OK pick. Marlins' potential set up man. Owens throws gas and had sick numbers in AA last year. However, he is 28 and has never been much of a prospect. Owens was mentioned along with Tankersley, Nolasco and Matt Lindstrom as closer candidates last week by Marlins' GM Larry Beinfest.

#46 DAVIS Rod Barajas C PHI
OK pick. Phllies' starting catcher. Barajas had 177 points for the Rangers last year and his ceiling is about the same this year for the Phillies.

#47 KEN Jose Valentin 2B NY
OK pick. Mets' 2B. Ken had no major league 2B on his roster, but Valentin has no place on his young team; potential trade? Valentin is one slump from being a bench player.

#48 ALEX Adam Eaton SP PHI
OK pick. Phillies' #5 SP. Eaton has had an disappointing, injury plagued career. I'm not optimistic about him turning it around in '07.

#49 BILL Jeff Samardzija SP CHI
Good pick. Cubs' future closer. Quality prospect for this point in the draft. Samardzija has a big time arm, we'll see if he figures out how to pitch.

#50 DAVIS Josh Bell 3B LA
OK pick. Not in Dodgers' future lineup. I like Bell and think he's a potential break out prospect for '07.

#51 DAN Tony Pena RP ARI
Good pick. D'Backs' future closer. Pena's stock jumped in '06 with a move to relief. Dan is hoping Pena settles in to a setup role in the Arizona bullpen this year.

#52 DAVIS David Wells SP SD
OK pick. Padres' #5 SP. Barely an OK pick. Wells is ancient and always hurt. How many times has he retired??

5th Round:
#53 PAUL Chris Perez RP STL
Good pick. Cardinals' future closer. Perez is a 2006 draftee who could get to the majors quickly and has high future closer value.

#54 KEN Russell Branyan 3B SD
OK pick. Padres' bench player. Same as Valentin. Ken needed a 3B, but has no use for Branyan. Branyan is a streaky hitter and he could steal atbats from Kevin Kouzmanoff this year.

#55 DAN Josh Sharpless RP PIT
OK pick. Pirates' potential set up man. Sharpless has the potential to be a decent setup man. Dan went with him with the Pirates' bullpen somewhat open with the overrated Salomon Torres taking over as closer and limited experience Matt Capps waiting in the wings.

#56 ALEX Donald Veal SP CHI
Good pick. Cubs' future #3 SP. Veal is a solid left hand pitching prospect who resembles Dontrelle Willis in size and funky delivery.

#57 DAVIS Sean West SP FLO
OK pick. Not in Marlins' future lineup. West is a fringe SP prospect with some upside.

#58 MARK Nook Logan OF WAS
OK pick. Nats' CF. Pretty late for a starting OF to get selected. We all must feel Logan could be the next Brandon Watson and will last only a month as the Nats' centerfielder.

#59 DAN Carlos Carrasco SP PHI
Good pick. Phillies' future #3 SP. Carrasco is a solid SP prospect. Ranked #1 on Phils' list, but that organization is thin. Dan included Carrasco in the Jeff Kent deal with DiOrio.

#60 DAN Jeremy Jeffress SP MIL
OK pick. Brewers' future closer. Jeffress throws gas, but needs polish as a SP. Could be destined for the bullpen.

#61 KEN Chris Volstad SP FLO
OK pick. Marlins' future #5 SP. Ranked #1 on Marlins' list, but doesn't have great stuff and hasn't been dominant in the lower minors.

#62 BILL Geoff Geary RP PHI
OK pick. Phillies' set up man. Geary had a surprise 204 points last year, but he did that with a 7-1 record. Could be a Thanksgiving cut here.

#63 PAUL Mike Stanton RP CIN
OK pick. Reds' set up man. Stanton surprisingly ended last year as the Giants' closer. He could have a decent year setting up in Cincy this year, but the track record leading up to the 2nd half of '06 also means he could struggle to crack 100 points in '07.

#64 MIKE A Jonathan Meloan RP LA
OK pick. Not in Dodgers' future lineup. Meloan emerged as a prospect in '06 with an impressive showing in the minors reaching AA. Has the potential to emerge in Dodgers' bullpen this year.

6th Round:
#65 KEN Philip Humber SP NY
OK pick. Mets' future #2 SP. I like Humber as a SP prospect, but is an injury concern after ending last year with a shoulder problem.

#66 KEN Mark Carp 1B NY
OK pick. Not in Mets' future lineup. Carp is a fringe hitting prospect. Not a big fan.

#67 DAN Mike Hampton SP ATL
OK pick. Braves' #3 SP. Hampton is coming off Tommy John surgery and becomes the ace of Dan's thin starting staff. Hampton was an 15-2 with a 2.61 ERA in 22 starts leading up to his injury.

#68 MARK Billy Sadler RP SF
OK pick. Not in Giants' future lineup. Sadler is a hard throwing reliever that checked in at #10 on the Giants' list. Has some future closer value with the uncertainty with Benitez and the inexperience of Brian Wilson.

#69 PAUL Terrmel Sledge OF SD
OK pick. Padres' potential platoon LF. Sledge probably doesn't deserve the chance, but the Padres may give him significant atbats in LF this year. I see a Thanksgiving cut here; maybe even Supplemental draft.

#70 KEN J.R. Towles C HOU
OK pick. Astros' future C. Towles is a decent all around catching prospect.

#71 KEN Kyle Drabek SP PHI
OK pick. Phillies' future #4 SP. Drabek is suppose to be a stud with great stuff, but was hammered in rookie ball. I think he may turn it around this year and start to earn the prospect status.

#72 DAN Eddie Guardado RP CIN
Good pick. Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Everyday Eddie may miss half of '07, but could potentially close for the Reds' in the 2nd half. Guardado could be in line to sign a free agent closers' contract following 2007 if he comes back OK from surgery.

#73 DAN Zech Zinicola RP WAS
OK pick. Not in Nats' future lineup. Zinicola is a 2006 draftee who could get to the majors this year. He has decent future closer value.

#74 DAN Mark Reynolds 2B ARI
Good pick. Not in D'Backs' future lineup. Reynolds broke out in '06 with impressive offensive numbers. He doesn't have a position defensively, but is an intriguing bat to watch. Dan included Reynolds in the Jeff Kent deal with DiOrio.

7th Round:
#75 DIORIO Will Inman SP MIL
OK pick. Brewers' future #4 SP. Inman continues to put up impressive numbers, but isn't a stud prospect due to average velocity.

#76 MARK Alex Sanchez OF FLO
OK pick. Marlins' potential CF. Sanchez is a fringe major league player, but amazingly is getting talked about as a potential starter in CF for the Marlins' this year. Did we already talk about Brandon Watson?

#77 DAN Cedric Hunter OF SD
Good pick. Padres' future CF. Hunter is the Padres' #1 prospect in a thin organization. Just a 2006 draftee, this coming season may tell us if he's a legit prospect. Dan included Hunter in the Jeff Kent deal with DiOrio.

#78 DAVIS LaTroy Hawkins RP COL
OK pick. Rockies' setup man. Fringe OK pick. It seems a decade ago Hawkins was suppose to close for the Cubs. Thanksgiving cut here?

#79 MIKE A Ramon Ramirez RP COL
OK pick. Rockies' setup man. Ramirez had a surprise rookie season last year, dominating in the 1st half before tailing off in the 2nd. We'll see if he flames out in '07 or emerges as a reliable set up man.

#80 DAN Matt Albers SP HOU
OK pick. Astros' potential starter. Albers is a decent starting pitcher who had his stock jump in '06. Dan's not in love with him, but will see what he can do in the majors this year.

#81 DAVIS Tyler Colvin OF CHI
OK pick. Cubs' future RF. A decent prospect for this point in the draft. Colvin is getting some hype, but I'd like to see how he does in '07 before I get excited.

#82 PAUL Matt Lindstrom RP FLO
OK pick. Not in Marlins' future lineup. Lindstrom has never been much of a prospect and is 27. But he throws gas and was included in the potential closer quartet as mentioned earlier.

#83 MARK Claudio Vargas SP MIL
OK pick. Brewers' #5 SP. I like Vargas. He had somewhat of a surprise season last year. Still only had 151 points though and has limited ceiling.

8th Round:
#84 BOB Eugenio Velez SS ATL
Bad pick. Not in Braves' future lineup. Velez didn't crack the Braves' Top 30 in BA's Prospect Handbook. Not sure what Bob is reading, but he needs to stop it.

#85 DAN Jaime Garcia SP STL
Good pick. Cardinals' future #4 SP. Solid SP prospect for this late in the draft. Will Lingo of BA ranked Garcia at #48 on his personal Top 50 list.

#86 MIKE A Brandon Jones OF ATL
OK pick. Not in Braves' future lineup. Jones is a fringe prospect, not a big fan.

#87 DIORIO Luis Ayala RP WAS
OK pick. Nats' potential setup man. Ayala was a solid setup man a couple years ago, we'll see if he has anything left after surgery.

#88 DAVIS Javy Lopez C COL
OK pick. Rockies' back up catcher. Wanted to go Bad pick here, but Lopez is a catcher and could get some at bats in Coors Field. It's also possible Lopez gets released prior to Opening Day.

#89 MARK Alfredo Amezaga OF FLO
OK pick. Marlins' bench player. Amezaga ended last year as the Marlins' CF. However, he's a utility player who can't hit much. Rumors that the great Alex Sanchez is taking his job.

#90 ALEX Juan Gutierrez SP HOU
OK pick. Not in Astros' future lineup. Gutierrez has a good arm. He's an injury risk, I like him better if he moves to the bullpen.

#91 PAUL Jose Garcia SP FLO
OK pick. Not in Marlins' future lineup. Garcia is a small right handed changeup guy. He's been a starter in the minors but pitched OK in 5 relief appearances in the bigs last year. Other websites are foolishy profiling Garcia as a closer candidate. Don't see it; he's 5' 11" 160 lbs and throws about 90 mph.

#92 PAUL Renyel Pinto SP FLO
OK pick. Not in Marlins' future lineup. I like Pinto. He showed flashes of being a decent pitcher in the majors last year pitching in relief. I could see him being a surprise SP in the next year or two; then again he could be nothing and hit the Thanksgiving Waiver Wire.

9th Round:
#93 BOB Chase Headley 3B SD
OK pick. Not in Padres' future lineup. Headley is an OK hitting prospect with questionable power. Kouzmanoff in front of him also diminishes his value.

#94 DAN Josh Kinney RP STL
Good pick. Cardinals' setup man. Kinney was a surprise in the majors last year with a 1.00 WHIP in 25 IP. He doesn't have great stuff, but did crack the Cardinals' Top 10 list. Kinney had 7 scoreless outings in the playoffs and Dan is hoping he has a solid holds guy here.

#95 MIKE A Mark Loretta 2B HOU
OK pick. Astros' bench player. Loretta doesn't have a position but he could get decent atbats filling in at all 4 infield spots. DeRosa went 87 slots higher, but would anyone be surprised if Loretta out scores DeRosa this year?

#96 MARK Sergio Mitre SP/RP FLO
OK pick. Marlins' potential rotation member. Mitre has a decent arm and has shown flashes of being a decent pitcher in the majors. He's in injury risk coming off shoulder problems last year.

#97 PAUL Kevin Correia RP SD
OK pick. Giants' setup man. Correia is trying to change his career from a no value swingman to a decent setup man. We'll see in '07 if he can be a reliable holds guy.

10th Round:
#98 BOB Manny Corpas RP COL
OK pick. Not in Rockies' future lineup. I like Corpas. He's young, throws hard and showed flashes in the bigs last year of being a quality RP.

#99 MIKE A Macay McBride RP ATL
OK pick. Not in Braves' future lineup. I like McBride, as I think he could evolve in to a solid LH holds guy. Lost in the shuffle of the Braves bringing in Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano.

#100 MARK Todd Linden OF SF
OK pick. Giant's bench player. Linden is a failed prospect who hit OK in a brief look in bigs last year. Giants are thin, old and brittle in the OF, so I can see Linden stepping up this year; but most likely he'll be a Thanksgiving cut.

11th Round:
#101 BOB Scott Cassidy RP SD
OK pick. Padres' potential middle reliever. Cassidy pitched well in the majors last year. However, he's a 31 year old journeyman. We'll see if has any value this year.

12th Round:
#102 BOB Emailyn Gonzalez SS WAS
OK pick. Nats' future SS. Gonzalez is a tools infielder, who I doublt will ever hit. BA tends to overrate strong defensive infielders with good tools, even though they can't hit.



Prior year Draft Reviews