Second Round Draft Grades

Read the First Round’s grades here: https://statsplus.net/cba/home/?p=64

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Here we are again, only this time taking a look at the second round’s picks. Many thanks to those who appreciated the first article’s coverage.

Pick 31: RHP Justin Marchi, Boston Rogers

The 28-year-old is one of the better pitchers in the league – he’ll strike out his fair share of batters with a fastball that sits 96-98. With a durable injury rating, he’ll be able to contribute to Boston currently and in the future.

Grade: A

Pick 32: RF Greg Pacheco, Los Angeles Chilis

Yes, he’ll hit and hit and hit. He won’t be a star in any one area of hitting though – he’ll settle to be one of the best in contact, gap, and power. His speed won’t impress anybody, and while his range in the field is league average, his arm will be able to make up some trouble spots. Though he is only 22, he comes with a fragile rating attached, which robs this pick from some of its value.

Grade: B-

Pick 33: 2B Joey Norton, San Diego Skylarks

I’ll start you with the fact that Norton is only 16.

Now that you know his age, let me tell you about what he may become – a leadoff hitter with the potential to battle for the Batting Average title year in and year out, with above average speed and decent defense. However, there is one trouble spot standing in his way:

He is 16.

Other scouts aren’t sold on his potential, however, and that puts this pick in doubt.

San Diego, I sure hope you’ve invested in your farm system – your first ever pick won’t be an easy one.

Grade: C-

Pick 34: SS Jose Lopez, Iowa Predators             

The 25-year-old will surely turn heads this year with his defense – he has the potential to be the best fielder in the league at his position. His speed is superb, but he has a weakness – his ability to hit. This is what makes Lopez the imperfect player – but will the Iowa staff be able to draw out the best of his abilities?

Grade: B+

Pick 35: RF Abel Kennedy, Arizona Thunderbirds

He is only 20 years of age, but could lead the league in walks. His eye is, according to some scouts, the best in the league. The rest of his hitting… isn’t quite there yet. He probably could fill in this year for Arizona, but don’t expect marvels from him. He is projected to be one of the best middle of the lineup players, pounding home run after home run. Think of former player Adam Dunn when you hear Abel Kennedy. His defense is average for the league.

Grade: B+

Pick 36: LF Bill Ryan, Detroit Motors

Many people were surprised that Ryan was still available this late in the draft. He can flat out rake – receiving high marks in HR and Gap power. His fielding is suspect, and don’t get me started on his running speed. At only 23 and durable, though, Ryan will be able to stay in Detroit and contribute for a long time.

Grade: A-

Pick 37: RHP Antonio Avila, Brooklyn Bulldogs

Perhaps the most interesting player in the draft. His stuff and control are masterful, but he has no movement on any of his pitches. Combine that with the fact that he is an extreme flyball pitcher, and we may find that Avila is looking backwards more than he is looking forwards. At 26 years of age, though, he has time to figure out his longball issues – but is Brooklyn able to solve this? Until Avila solves this, we must assume both the best and worst, which factors in to the grade. Best case – he becomes a top pitcher, overcoming the home run issue and going on to be a force for years. Worst case – he can’t overcome the home runs, inflating his ERA and causing him to be ineffective. This writer feels as if the best case is more likely to occur than the worst case, but caution overrides this decision.

Grade: B

Pick 38: 1B Matt Laferty, Midwest Plainsmen

Following the prototypical First Baseman construct, he can hit… and that’s all. There’s no ability to run or field, but with the DH enabled, he should be able to contribute vastly given his young age and durable build.

Grade: A

Pick 39: CF Bryan Miller, Austin Outlaws

He’s a 27-year-old Center Fielder who has no speed, yet his hitting enables him to hit for average and hit home runs. His defense isn’t too bad, but could improve for a second rounder, at league average. Able to play all three outfield spots, Miller provides Austin with a durable body who can play anywhere they need him to.

Grade: B-

Pick 40: RHP Luis Guerra, Chicago Gale

“THE MISTAKE”. But can we really call it a mistake? He seems like a great prospect for the future, being called up to Chicago at any minute. We need to realize, however, that he doesn’t have that strong third pitch you’re looking for in a starting pitcher, which will lead to him being relegated to a bullpen roll. His saving grace would be if he could develop that changeup and he would then become a top starter. He will be a solid piece in the pen, but in the second round, you’re looking for impact starters, not relievers for the future. I think it’s safe to say – Guerra was a mistake.

Grade: F

Pick 41: RHP David McDaniel, Iowa Predators

A durable 30-year-old with four highly rated pitches, McDaniel will be able to contribute to Iowa immediately. When you look at what scouts say, however, a different picture emerges – one of an early decline. Hopefully Iowa can find the fountain of youth with McDaniel, but for now we don’t need to worry about his decline (He’s only 30!).

Grade: B

Pick 42: RHP Craig Meister, Florida Giants

He’s 30 years old and durable. What becomes even more important is the way that Meister built his resume – through command. He won’t walk many batters, and his pitches allow him to strike people out by chasing the few balls he will throw. His decline won’t be as noticeable as the stuff-first pitchers because of his control, and that makes Florida’s pick last much longer than the other players in their 30’s you’ll read about in this review.

Grade: B+

Pick 43: RHP Randy Steckel, Detroit Motors

He’s 20 years old and will try to challenge Aaron Hannah as the best young pitcher in this draft. He hasn’t developed quite as much as Hannah, and that is what led his slide to this spot. However, Detroit took the risk on Steckel, and are looking to cash in big. Scouts aren’t completely sold on Steckel, however, but he should be able to provide at least an above average spot in the league next year.

Grade: A-

Pick 44: LF Rory Blas, Chicago Gale

Lurch is 32, and has a leadoff hitter skill set. He will be able to grind out pitchers for walks and makes solid contact each time up. He plays an above average left field. His running is above average. Blas is a five-tool player, don’t get me wrong – but his age and his fragility will scare off some potential from the pick’s value.

Grade: B+

Pick 45: RHP Brad Limbach, Cincinnati Royals

One of the better pitchers remaining, Limbach will be able to provide an above average starter slot to Cincinnati. However, his arsenal of pitches is not as well developed as you would be hoping for, and his play this year might show that. At only 28, he still has plenty of time with Cincinnati, but his ratings may not constitute his pick being this high.

Rating: C

Pick 46: LF Tony Falcon, Indianapolis Hawks

The Hawks are in complete win-now mode with the selection of Falcon. He has shown decline already, and the 35-year-old only has a few years left in the league. His defense is below average, and his speed rivals those at the first base position. Indy, enjoy this season, for it may be the last time you see Tony Falcon.

Rating: D+

Pick 47: 2B Jon Wagner, DC Eagles

The Eagles created quite a stir by drafting Wagner, who was known to many as “Moondog”. Most expected Houston to pick him, but DC saw enough to constitute (bad pun) his pick. He comes from the leadoff hitter mentality, with great speed and high marks on both contact and eye. His defense is just below league average, and he has no power to speak of. At 27 and durable, though, DC can get used to seeing him as the head of their offense for a long while.

Rating: B+

Pick 48: RF Jose Sanchez, San Diego Skylarks

He will hit for average and get on base a bit. The issue with that is his speed – he’ll instantly become a human roadblock while on the bases. His defense isn’t too shabby, however, and that will make up concerns with this pick. He’s got a huge arm, so right field isn’t necessarily an issue in San Diego. At 23 and durable, San Diego fans will be mesmerized with Sanchez’s play for a long time.

Rating: A-

Pick 49: SS Ryan Adams, Carolina Aces

He’s 35 and fragile, limiting Adams’ value. What he brings to the table now is amazing – top tier shortstop play with a bat that will light up opposing pitchers. His speed, as can be expected with a 35-year-old, is slow. With a team set up for the now, however, this pick makes sense in the short run. In the long run, Carolina will be looking for answers.

Rating: B-

Pick 50: RHP Jae-Shin Kim, Denver Wolves

The 24-year-old rivals Ben Perez as the best young pitcher in the draft. He throws 101 mph and has five pitches to mix in. As can be expected, he has issues with giving up the longball, but he is only 24 and can control his pitches effectively.

Rating: A

Pick 51: RF Andy Baca, Cincinnati Royals

The 26-year-old is an interesting selection here in the second round. He’s 26 years of age and can hit the ball out of the ballpark. He does come with a fragile rating, but his youth and fielding skills make him a good pick.

Rating: B+

Pick 52: 2B Antonio Ramirez, Philadelphia Liberty

He’ll hit plenty of XBH, but he is pretty much average everywhere else on the diamond. His fielding needs work, with a below average rating in range. He’ll turn 29 this year, and his fragile rating make his pick not as good as others in this area.

Rating: B-

Pick 53: SS Edwin Nadal, Detroit Motors

His defensive ratings are spot on, allowing him to be one of the best fielders in the league. His hitting needs improvement to be a top tier shortstop, however. He doesn’t pack great speed, but his greatest ability comes from stopping runs, not scoring them. At only 21 years of age, his name will be called in Detroit for years to come.

Rating: B+

Pick 54: 1B Lorenzo Morales, Iowa Predators

Scouts aren’t sold on Morales’ upside. Yes, I hear you – he’s only 18 years old and has a captain-like demeanor in the clubhouse, but he won’t challenge anybody in defense or speed. His job as a first baseman is to hit, which is looking iffy at the moment.

Rating: C

Pick 55: 3B Taylor Storch, Cincinnati Royals

The 25-year-old will provide an above average result from the plate this year, but will need to work on his defense and speed. His demeanor, at 5’10” and 185 pounds leaves much to be desired. His character states that he should be able to make improvements, but overall stands as a player who appears to have had potential, but never quite reached it fully. Perhaps some Skyline would help?

Rating: C+

Pick 56: LF Greg Kuhl, Oklahoma Mammoths

The last big piece to fall, Kuhl is rated as an 80 overall by OSA. He’ll rake this year, with no worries about a possible platoon. He does leave work to be done in the outfield and on the base paths. At 33 and fragile, though, Kuhl could be on the decline soon. An all-in move that, this late in the draft, actually doesn’t appear to be that bad of a selection.

Rating: B

Pick 57: CF John Belinsky, Midwest Plainsmen

At 28 years of age and durable, his body is ready to put up some solid numbers. His defensive ratings in the outfield are outstanding, and he is able to play anywhere on the diamond. His hitting is about the truest leadoff hitter in the draft – almost no power, but high contact and avoid k ratings means he’ll put the ball in play often. His speed isn’t great, but he won’t become a liability on the base paths.

Rating: A-

Pick 58: 3B Pat Stackhouse, Carolina Aces

Stackhouse is an interesting player because, while he is 29, still has room for improvement. His defense and speed allow him to man the field at an elite level, while his eye should allow him to get on base at a torrid pace. His bat skills, however, need improvement. If he faces control specializing pitchers, he’ll find it hard to get on base at all. His contact is low, and his gap power is almost nonexistent. With a fragile injury rating, he may find it tough to stay on the field. Only time will tell whether Stackhouse proves he is worth the 58^th selection.

Rating: B

Pick 59: C Trevor Hamberlin, Dallas Devils

The commissioners must know something, each drafting some of the first catchers off the board. Hamberlin will be able to get on base and is slightly above league average on hitting, but his catcher’s ability is amazing. He’ll be able to call games, frame pitches, and overall contribute to Dallas’ team in ways the naked eye won’t be able to see. His speed will become an issue one he gets on, but his positives outweigh his negatives. At only 30 years old, he’ll be a mainstay in the Dallas backstop for years.

Rating: B+

Pick 60: CF Eric Bohnert, New York Roar

At only 20 years old, Bohnert will be able to contribute right away in New York’s club. He won’t wow you with his hitting, but his speed and defensive work make up for those deficiencies. He still has room to grow, but don’t let that fool you – he is going to make an impact for New York this year.

Rating: A-