Inspired by my comments in the forum, as well as an earlier TC I sent over to San Jose on general advice to prepare for a draft (nothing earth shattering, just what I learned thru my 1st 2 drafts) that went unresponded to despite several back and forths early on, combined w/ the franchise's terrible draft results the last several seasons under different ownership, I thought I'd take a swing at what this franchise drafted, and what they could have drafted. I will assume they had the ability to view all draftees, which I know isn't true, but impossible to know whom they knew about and whom they didn't. While the major league franchise is severly lacking in talent, the minor league system could be the best in the system if the previous coaches would have drafted better. Throw in an IFA or 2 of top quality and they'd have a future as bright as anyones.
So w/o further ado:
Season 1, round 1, pick 6: Selected Alex_Hansen currently on the DL w/ the big league club. Alex was immediatly sloted to AAA showing mediocre results at best for the last 4 seasons, and showed similar results w/ the big league club this year, though the 4.56 era this season is better than one would have expected. None the less, mediocre splits, velocity, sink and pitch selection makes this projected 70 overall projected pitcher a questionable pick for 6th overall.
Could have had: Kent_Stinent drafted 1 spot later, this below average defensive SS sports a solid bat currently holding a .830 ops w/ Helena's major league squad w/ a little more room to grow.
Looks like some Type A free agents wiped out the other high picks, but probably explains all the compensation picks in recent seasons. The 92 wins in season 1 tells me those free agents were likely worth it.
Season 2, round 1, pick 24: Selected Pat_Donetello For this late in the 1st round, this is a pretty good selection. Future closer in waiting, w/ some struggle vs Lefties, his other skills are all top of the charts. Should be ready for the majors in another season or 2.
round 2, unsigned 2b, could have had a very solid catcher currently residing w/ Fresno's High A club: Shane Fields. After rooting away in rookie ball for 3 seasons despite great stats, Fields has finally moved up to High A this season w/ a very nice .877 OPS and 24 homers.
Season 3, round 1, pick 15: Selected Jim_Bickerton another mediocre starting pitcher w/ poor splits, sink and pitch selection. Went 4-10 in AA this season, and should really ever pitch above that level. Could have had Rod_Schultz slugger extreme. Having put up an OPS over 1.000 each of his 3 minor league seasons, Rod is going to be a stud hitter for Boise in due time.
round 1, pick 35: selected Tony_Downs not a bad pick overall, above average defender at 2b, and a decent skill set at the plate. Could have done worse than his .876 OPS thru 3 levels of minor league play, but 2b sometimes seem easy to come by, could have had a very solid starting pitching prospect in Clay_Wiggingont Clay isn't a top of the roation starter, but for late in round 1, he should prove a solid #3 once he fully recovers from injury and a bit more seasoning.
Round 2, unsigned pick, could have had Jim_Nelson a great fielding SS w/ enough bat to make the majors.
Season 4, round 1, pick 5: Selected Bubba_Paul despite a name that belongs on East Bound and Down, Bubba never had a shot at the majors despite his 7.0 signing bonus. Bubba's got a great sinking fastball, but mediocre splits and terrible control aside from being way to high to take a closer. Could have had: Alex_BAker despite an eventual move to LF from CF, he's got the stick to rake in the majors. May be being pushed a tad too quickly, but w/ a .999 OPS thru 4 levels of minor league ball, Baker is going to impact the majors soon enough.
Round 1, pick 18: unsigned LF, could have had Dion_Heathcot While Baker's defense forces him to a corner spot, Dion should win a gold glove in CF one day. Even better he's got the skills to be a great switch hitting lead off hitter.
round 1, pick 33: selected Chris_McDonald a solid selection late in the 1st as Chris projects as a solid set up man or closer in the future.
round 1, pick 39, 40 & 41 brough the Franchise: Marc_Lorainne Matt_Gilmore and Denys_Sung
Lorainne is an average looking 2b prospect, not too much to complain about at this level, Gilmore is a great defensive 3b, but a poorly projected 34 batting eye will limit him once he hits the higher levels of the minors, and Sung is either a mediocre defensive catcher w/ a poor batting eye, or a poor DH w/ occasional backup catcher ability.
Could have had: Ed_Rijo a similarly defensive catcher as sund w/ a great batting eye (83 projected compared to Sung's 43) and average skills across.
Ted_Traschel a very solid long reliever that's about 10 stamina rating points away from being a dominate starter.
Seth_Coleman a very solid projected #2 or #3 in the majors.
Season 5, round 1, pick 6 brought them Marty_Governale a solid left handed RF prospect that hits lefties well, but struggles w/ righties a bit. There were some slightly better or equal prospects at other postions still available, but tough to complain about an 85 projected RF w/ your 1st pick.
Round 1, pick 18 brought in Ty_Acosta who's an OK prospect, but lacking in defense enough to push into LF or RF, but not nearly strong enough at the plate to hit at those positions (43 eye plus poor makeup-34)
Could have had Fritz_Brocail who doesn't have the defense that Ty does, probably a 1b long term, but has a significantly stronger bat and makeup.
Round 1, pick 33 brought them in Giomar_Terreja who's a poor fielding 3b that struggles vs lefties (vL 11) as a right hander. Giomar has great power potential, but that 32 makeup will hold back his other skills, and leave him in the minors.
Could have had Dan_Downs great looking 1b/Dh prospect, even better at the plate than Brocail. Having those 2 in your minor league lineup at 3 & 4 would help produce several minor league championships on their way up to the majors.
The other 2 remaining 1st round supplemental picks brough in a pretty solid 1b, not on the level of Downs or Brocail, but solid none the less and a great defensive CF who will likely struggle at the plate a bit. Still could be a solid defensive replacement in the majors and part time starter one day. Hard to argue w/ either pick.
So in summary, there were certainly a couple of hits, but far too many misses. I doubt the previous coaches had the ability to see all those kids, but the minors league system could be one of the most stacked systems in today's game w/ a little more planning.
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