|
Grading
The Draft, Team By Team
April 7, 2013 (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. 37 players were drafted
and may begin their Federal League careers when play opens on
April 23.
Eddie Pidermann a right handed pitcher from Florida International
University was the first player selected. The South Florida Sun
Devils chose Pidermann in an effort to rebuild the pitching corps.
Tim Thielen, a RHP/1B,was the
first player selected by an Expansion Division team. Thielen was chosen by the Tri-Cities Tritons.
The Tritons and Hollywood Stars made the most picks, choosing seven
players each. The Original Division's
newest entry, the Dade Marlins, declined to pick.
A complete list of the draft results can be found here.
Original
Division:
Broward Cubs-Drafted: Keenan
Holliday, OF; Kyle Simon, 3B;
Dayan Sanchez, OF; Mark Ramcharitar, RHP
Holliday was a bit of a reach as a first round pick, but the
Cubs' felt the need to address their outfield situation. Sanchez
was a solid choice. Simon, if he signs will be given a chance to
crack the lineup immediately. Ramcharitar is young, but has a
very good arm and a strong work ethic.
The Cubs addressed their needs, but with Holliday and Simon still
unsigned, this translates to a good, not great, draft for the
division's reigning champions.
Grade: B-
Parkland Mets-Drafted: Nick
Geary, C; Anthony Gallego, RHP/OF; Edward Duffy, INF; Jarrod
Rubinstein, RHP/1B
Geary
was the best catcher available and a strong choice, but the
backstop suffered a broken hand and could miss the entire
season. This may prove to be a great pick, but just not right
away. Gallego had a cannon for an arm and could be a steal if
his control improves. Duffy might turn out to be the Mets' best
draftee. Rubinstein is a tireless worker that will be a fine
addition.
The Mets landed a strong group of players that could answer their
depth issues.
Grade: B
Hallandale Twins-Drafted:
Rafael Ramos, C; Yusbell Ortega, SS; Sebastian Guerrero, 3B
Ramos is a quality catcher who wields a strong bat, not too
dissimilar from Joe Mauer. Ortega, if he signs, might be the
best all around player in the draft. Guerrero has the pedigree,
his father, Mario played in the Majors, but needs to overcome
some injury problems that have slowed his progress.
The Twins drafted wisely.
Grade: B
South Florida Sun Devils-Drafted:
Edward Pidermann, RHP/OF; Scott Gershenbaum, RHP/INF; Evan
Morales, C
Pidermann and Gershenbaum will upgrade the Solar Satan pitching
staff. Morales could be a pleasant addition, but the backstop
appears to staging a hold out.
The Sun Devils snagged the draft's best pitchers.
Grade: B+
Expansion Division:
Tri-Cities Tritons-Drafted: Tim Thielen, RHP/1B; Ben
Head, RHP/1B; Jose Galiano, 1B; Osniel Sanchez, OF; Cesar
Pichardo, OF; Adrian Fajin, 1B; Juan Camacho, RHP/OF
The Tritons needed pitching, so getting Thielen and Head will
help. The rest of the draft emphasized improving the team's
depth. Camacho, who appeared to be a project, was traded to the
Stars.
The Water Dwellers made strong picks, but only time will tell if
Thielen and Head can give them enough innings to propel the team
back into contender status.
Grade: B-
Davie
Goliaths-Drafted: Taylor Eggleston, RHP/C/INF; David
Vizcaino, OF; Billy Greene, RHP; Bryan Waltemath, 3B
Eggleston's versatility made his selection a logical one for the
Philistines. Vizcaino adds outfield depth, a traditional concern
for the G-Men. Greene and Waltemath are not projected to make
the team this season.
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: Roberto
Esquenazi, LHP/1B
The Gatekeepers were looking to solidify their bench and were
able to pluck Esquenazi, who is a solid role player, in the late
rounds after trading the bulk of their picks away in other off
season moves.
In terms of the draft itself, this was fairly uneventful for the
defending champions, but if the other off season moves are
considered, the Sentries have improved.
Grade: C-
Hollywood Stars-Drafted:
Andrew Hernandez, RHP/SS; Mario Bruno, INF; Nick Arciola,
C; Agner Martinez, OF; John Bode, OF; Jarun Kawin,
INF/OF; Ciro Buttacavoli, RHP/1B
If the Stars can get Hernandez in camp, they will have executed
a strong draft. Without Hernandez, the Stars only did okay. Some
of the team's other off season moves should pay dividends.
If the Stars had picked up one more arm, and if the sign
Hernandez, this would rate an A. Until Hernandez is in camp, the
grade is mediocre.
Grade: C
Sunrise Sunsets-Drafted: Abe
Ortiz, RHP/OF; Jacob Govern, RHP/OF; Brannon White, C
Ortiz is one of the top three hurlers in the draft, but he has
indicated that he intends to hold out. Govern, who is the
brother of the Twilighters' outfielder, is a solid addition to
the thin Sunset pitching staff. White is a good defensive
catcher and addresses a team need.
Once again, the grade depends on the top two picks signing.
Grade: A (if Ortiz and Govern join the team) C+ (if not).
Lighthouse Point Beacons-Drafted:
Alex Zorrilla, OF/1B
The Illuminators have once again traded their picks away, but
instead of acquiring future picks, they gained three solid
veterans from the Stars. Left with only one useful pick, the
Beacons used it on Zorrilla, but traded the prospect to the
Stars.
The trades made it a good off season, but the draft itself yielded
the B's nothing at all.
Grade: F
|
