This is a special report on the draft written by Larry!  Thanks for writing this up.  It’s detailed and I think the analysis is great!

 

Observations on the 2017 Dirt Mountain League Draft

To me, this year’s draft was one of the most unusual the league has ever had.  It seemed that there was no clear consensus on who the top few picks would be.  Certainly, I don’t believe any of us had a good idea of who the top eight would be, much less in what order the top eight might be drafted.  And to further complicate our planning, there were several trades of top picks – even the trade of a first rounder during the draft.

So, given all that, it is no wonder that there seemed to be some surprises among the selections.  I’ll give you some of my observations and opinions — keeping in mind that all of us value players differently, all of us have personal favorites that we probably overpay for, and all our teams have different needs and are in different stages of competitiveness.  Let’s take a closer look at some of the picks.

 

CM – Happy Hollidays

First three picks:  Carlos Martinez – Justin Turner – Michael Fulmer

Coming off a last place finish of his inherited squad, CM appeared to decide to try to improve quickly as he went for several veteran players who could offer immediate help.  With the first full set of draft picks he has had, Chris passed on young talent in the first two rounds and went for more immediate help.  In addition, he landed Brad Miller with a #6 pick and got Todd Frazier with his #7.  He fortified his SS position with Aledmys Diaz, showing good patience to wait until round 9 to select a Cardinal who had a strong showing in 2016.

CM then wisely took a flyer in rounds 11-13, taking Y. Puig, Y. Tomas, and C. Kelly – a couple of underachievers who could still be stars and the Cards catcher of the future.  Kendrys Morales in round 25 could be a steal.  Lance Lynn is high risk, high reward at #4.  Chris might could have gotten Carlos Martinez a round later (?), but he went after one of the most solid starters available, and didn’t take a chance on losing him.  A strong performance by the Hollidays who thankfully drafted their namesake back onto the team.

 

KK – Thunderwolves

First three picks:  Julio Teheran – Nomar Mazara – Dansby Swanson

KK had traded his first two picks, so his opening choice was actually a supplemental pick at the end of round 2 (awarded because of the death of two outstanding pitchers on the Wolves – Jose Fernandez and Yordano Ventura (RIP – they will be missed).  Kyle followed with a #3 pick of Neftali Feliz and #4 Eric Hosmer.

Dee Gordon could be good pick at #5 if he can get on base and stay in the lineup.  KK also added a couple of good SP options in Harvey and Stroman, and made a pick for the future in Jorge Alfaro (an ex-Rangers farm hand) who Kyle hopes will turn into a solid catcher for the Phillies.

Feliz might be a bit of a reach as early as he went, but with the shortage of closers available, Kyle deemed the risk worth taking.  KK had a nice draft especially considering he didn’t have his top two picks.

 

HP – Phoegnomes

First three picks:  Julio Urias – Lucas Giolito – Aaron Judge

HP was aggressive – making a last minute deal with the Lannisters to deal J. Abreu for Jeff’s #1 pick.  She then landed uber prospect Julio Urias.  She went young with her next three picks as well.  Jose Peraza at #4 adds a real speed dimension, and he should have more consistent playing time now that Brandon Phillips was finally shuffled off to the Braves.

Heather chose more youngsters at 7, 9, and 10 taking Josh Bell, Orlando Arcia, and Domingo Santiago.

Jerad Eickhoff could be a real find at #24.  He made several quality starts last year and could a solid mid-rotation type for years to come.  Heather’s riskiest pick may have come at #3 where the jury is out on Aaron Judge – superstar – solid starter – or bust?  HP obviously believes in him and may well have been justified in spending the number three.   A very solid draft except for not shoring up her bullpen depth.  But if HP hits on Urias, Giolito, and Judge – her draft will be a very memorable one.

 

KG – Goofballs

First three picks:  Trevor Story – A.J. Pollock – Nelson Cruz

Wow – what a start.  KG followed his top three with Kevin Gausman. Jackie Bradley, David Robertson, and Carlos Santana – all very solid picks – most of whom filled needs on his team.  Story was a natural pick, and if he can pick up where he left off last year, KG will be very pleased.  Pollock, despite some injury concerns, should rebound nicely.  And Cruz probably has another good year left.

After that blockbuster start, things seemed to calm down a bit.  But Kevin went young at #15 and got Berrios who may be much better that he shown thus far.  And Matt Bush at 23 was a great pick (if he should become a closer).  Elvis Andrus at #12 might have been a reach, but he should be a capable fill in unless Story is re-injured.  A very strong draft, that I am rating second overall.

 

LK – Armadillos

First three picks:  Edwin Diaz – Alex Bregman – Jameson Taillon

I will let you guys make up your own minds about my draft.  But I did want to point my biggest reach – that of Alex Reyes at #5.  He may not pitch until halfway through 2019, so I will have to be patient!  And he may not make it back to his elite level.  But I was afraid Chris M. or somebody else would take him soon, so I pulled the trigger.  Time will tell if it was worth it.

 

RK – Possums

Top three picks:  Andrew Benintendi – Carlos Gonzalez – Sueng-hwan Oh

Rick was busy on draft trade making several deals with an eye to next year’s draft.  When the dust cleared, RK had trade away his own 2018 #4 pick, but added CP’s 2018 #3, #4, #5, and #6 picks.  This sets Rick up well for 2018, but definitely weakened his current draft as he lost some early spots that could have proved valuable.

He did add Tyler Glasnow at #8 as a potential SP and then rolled the dice on Cody Bellinger at #9.  Bellinger is highly touted in the Dodgers system, but will be unfreezeable.  RK added a badly needed catcher in Russell Martin in round 12.  Jedd Gyorko was an excellent pick at 13 since he has eligibility at 2B-3B-SS.  Carlos Gomez could be serviceable as a 15 rounder

Rick then went for several young players hoping to catch some magic — Hunter Renfroe, M. Margot, Reynaldo Lopez, etc.  He closed a decent, but depleted draft, with old pal (and ancient mariner), Curtis Granderson.

RK certainly loaded up for next year, but it remains to be seen if this will hurt his chances to win this season.

CP – Legion

First three picks:  Yoan Moncada – Willson Contreras –  David Dahl

Again, wow – what a start.  All three of those guys were first round picks that CP had accumulated.  Seeing Chris with that many early picks is unprecedented.  And he picked up Lance McCullers with his #2.  Obviously, that is quite a haul in the first two rounds.  A potential superstar in Moncada and easily the best catching prospect in Contreras, plus a good young Rockies OF.  And McCullers is loaded with potential as well.

CP and RK continued the Legion’s trade fest with some in-draft deals.  CP picked up some extra picks this year, while Rick stock piled some 2018 picks.  However, CP’s lower round picks were less stellar.  He, himself wondered if Robbie Ray was a reach at #5 and Longoria with a second #5 might be considered a bit of reach also.  However, Bedrosian at #7 and Greg Bird at #10 could be nice picks.

Drew Smyly was solid at 14, although we both vowed never to have him on our teams again after some past serious meltdowns (LOL).  And, of course, the Legion went too far in taking Dirt Mountain’s perennial jinx, Matt Wieters!  But the Legion picked up loads of talent – well done!  A third place ranking for the Legion who were nosed out by the Goofballs.

 

JK – Lannisters – the reigning Dirt Mountain Champions

First three picks:  Gerrit Cole – Kenta Maeda – Kelvin Herrera

JK gave up his #1 and picked up a 1B in Jose Abreu in a deal with the Phoegnomes which filled his biggest need.  With his only hole filled, Jeff went to work on fleshing out his pitching staff with three strong picks (especially Herrera at #3).  He drafted Justin Upton at #5 and then went on a roll with Vince Velasquez, Blake Snell, Marcell Ozuna, and Rich Hill at 7-10.

He stole Michael Brantley at #12 – great pick – and continued with Joe Ross, A.J. Reed, Neil Walker, Didi Gregorius, and Jorge Soler – all capable backups who will blend well into the Lannisters bench.  He even snatched Alex Cobb with a #23.  JK’s only reach may have been in the bullpen which is understandable since there is so little overall depth there.  Sam Dyson at #6 seems a bit high – but who am I to question the back to back champions?

To me this was the best draft by far – from top to bottom a stellar group – an almost flawless performance – on paper at least – that will make it even tougher for the rest of us to catch up with the Lannisters.

Thanks for a great draft everyone – it was great fun!  Bring on opening day!