Grading
The Draft, Team By Team
March 31, 2012 (Federal League Wire Service)
The two day pre-season draft meetings
ended at 9:30, Wednesday night, as team representatives filed out
of the Federal League Conference Annex. 38 players were drafted
and may begin their Federal League careers when play opens on
April 17.
Pedro Boissalier, a shortstop from Miami was the first player
chosen. The Parkland Mets used the first pick to help bolster
their infield. Philip Cunningham, a speedy outfielder, was the
first player selected by an Expansion Division team. Cunningham
was chosen by the Tri-Cities Tritons.
The Tritons made the most picks, choosing seven players. The
defending Expansion Series champion Lighthouse Point Beacons made
the fewest picks by selecting only one player, shortstop Benjamin
Stone.
The Illuminators brazenly traded two first round picks to the
Hollywood Stars for three future first round picks. The Sunrise
Sunsets and Davie Goliaths perpetuated the long history as trading
partners as the Goliaths sent outfielder David Bernauer to the
Twilighters for a conditional pick in next season's draft.
A complete list of the draft results can be found here.
Original
Division:
Broward Cubs-Drafted: Matt Beninate, RHP; Russell
Hackworth, RHP/OF; Michael Lindsay, 3B
Beninate was the most highly prized pitching prospect available
and could emerge as the Cubs' ace. Lindsay will be given a
chance to win the third base job, but had an uneven camp. He did
show improvement at the camp just prior to the draft. Hackworth
has potential, but appears to be holding out.
The Cubs addressed a need at third base and added a top flight
pitcher.
Grade: A
Parkland Mets-Drafted: Pedro
Boissalier, SS/2B; Ruben Castellanos, RHP/2B; Scott Iselhart,
RHP/INF
Boissalier is a smooth fielding shortstop with good hands and a
strong arm. Castellanos has a solid bat and looks to be
versatile. Iselhart is a useful veteran that could pick up some
innings.
The Mets landed a strong group of players that could answer their
depth issues.
Grade: B
Hallandale Twins-Drafted: Andy
Goff, 1B/DH; Zachary Hughes, LHP/1B
Goff is an accomplished hitter that will add power. Hughes
should crack the lineup because of his bat. He is more of a
project as a pitcher.
The Twins, who are essentially replacing the Deerfield Tigers and
will pick up the strength of that roster, added power bats, but
failed to upgrade the pitching staff.
Grade: C+
South Florida Sun Devils-Drafted:
David
Meyer, OF/3B; Dylan Razack, RHP/C/INF; Curt Rapp, 1B/3B
Meyer is a solid all around player that will fit in well with
the Sun Devils. Razack is can contribute all over the diamond
and could develop as a top flight pitcher. Rapp projects as a
role player, but could land the third base job with a strong
spring training showing.
The Sun Devils did not waste any picks and upgraded the roster.
Grade: B+
Commercial Aviation Mudcats-Drafted:
Luca Reyner, SS/OF; Ray Jimenez, C/3B
Reyner may have been the best position player available. Jimenez
immediately will improve the team's catching.
The Mudcats identified their needs and drafted accordingly.
Grade: A
Expansion Division:
Tri-Cities Tritons-Drafted: Philip Cunningham, OF;
Eric Morales, RHP/3B; Jeff Weiselberg, SS/2B; Eric Disbrow, OF;
Duane Lancaster, 1B/DH; Wilfredo Ramirez, 1B/3B; Eric Harmell,
C; Bob Shankey, 3B
Cunningham and Morales are potential all-stars, but are unsigned
at this point. The rest of the cast are useful role players.
The Water Dwellers made strong picks, but the grade is reduced
until Cunningham and Morales are signed.
Grade: B (with the players signing), C- (without)
Davie
Goliaths-Drafted: Steven Hibbs, RHP/OF; Michael
Payne, RHP/OF; Leon Bovell, 1B/OF; Matthew Pictrowski, C/1B;
Eric Silva, OF/1B
Hibbs is being heralded as a difference maker. Payne is
versatile. Bovell, Pictrowski, and Silva address the team's
depth concerns.
The Goliaths complete their best draft in recent memory. Their
only shortcoming was their inability to add a middle infielder.
Grade: B+
Margate Sentries-Drafted: Jordan
Ohl, LHP; Troy Williams, SS/RHP
Ohl was the pitcher that the Gatekeepers had to have. His
presence transforms the pitching staff. If Williams signs, he
will be an upgrade in the utility role.
For the Sentries, this draft was about quality, rather than
quantity.
Grade: A-
Hollywood Stars-Drafted: Carlos
Sanchez, RHP/INF; Jorge Michelina, 2B/SS; Daniel Martinez,
3B/OF; Angel Hernandez, 2B/SS; Alberto Caballero, OF
Sanchez will be a welcome addition to the pitching staff. He
also swings a strong bat. Michelina is a future star that may
not make a real contribution until next season. Martinez will
add another good hitter to an already potent lineup. Hernandez
and Caballero are very solid late round choices.
The Stars had a very strong and deep draft. One more pitcher would
have made this an A+.
Grade: A
Sunrise Sunsets-Drafted: Jose
Garcia, C/3B; Rafael Gonzalez, INF/C; Cesar Abreu, 1B; Don Degli,
INF/OF
Garcia was rated as the top catching prospect and answers the
team's most glaring need. Gonzalez, Abreu, and Degli will
strengthen the team's depth.
The Twilighters added a potential all-star backstop, but failed to
draft any pitching.
Grade: B
Lighthouse Point Beacons-Drafted:
Benjamin
Stone, SS
The Illuminators traded a slew of picks for three future first
round picks. Good idea? It remains to be seen. Stone was clearly
the best player available when the Beacons finally chose, and he
fills a hole as Fazio's backup.
The Beacons, depending on your perspective, either leave this
draft three steps ahead or two steps behind.
Grade: D
