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Grading The Draft, Team By Team

March 27, 2014 (Federal League Wire Service)

                The two day pre-season draft meetings ended at 9:00, Wednesday night, as team representatives filed out of the meeting room at the Federal League Conference Annex. 35 players were drafted and all are hoping to make an impact when play opens on April 22 
                Lance Escalera, a switch hitting outfielder with power, drafted by the Commercial Aviation Mudcats, was the first player selected in the Senior Circuit; while Kevin Druckman a hard throwing left handed pitcher was claimed by the Margate Sentries with the first selection made in the Junior Circuit.
                The Parkland Mets made the most selections with six. The Original Division's defending champions, the Fort Lauderdale Blazers,, declined to pick.
               
A complete list of the draft results can be found here.

Original Division:

Commercial Aviation Mudcats: Lance Escalera, OF; Frankie Bernazard, SS/OF
                The Mudcats were able to select both of the players that they had targeted, and two of the most highly rated players in the draft.
                The Whiskered Fish improved their roster, but the grade is depressed until they sign their players
                Grade: A-

Broward Cubs: Asari Mitsuharu, RHP/3B; Kory Ryan, C; Robert Goggin, LHP
                Mitsuharu has a live fastball, a hard curve, and a wipeout sidearm slider, but must make the adjustment as he moves over from Japan.
                Ryan and Goggin are both very young, but show a world of potential
                Grade: B+

South Florida Sun Devils: Matthew Kean, RHP; Antoine Rutherford, OF; Eric Friedman, SS/2B
                Kean has filthy stuff, and he throws from both overhand and sidearm deliveries. Rutherford is an athlete that is transitioning to baseball. The former Virginia Tech running back has size, strength, and speed. All he lacks is experience. Friedman is a solid and versatile addition.
                New manager Michael Taylor turned in a great draft. 
                Grade:

Parkland Angels: Joel Berlanga, INF; Zachary Vlietstra, LHP/OF; Chris Rosario, OF; Joseph Schiavo, 1B
                The Halos like to gamble in the draft. Berlanga, Rosario, and Schiavo are top flight players, and Vietstra may be the best pitcher in the draft, but can the Seraphs sign any of them?
                This would be a solid A, but with all four unsigned, it's hard to grade this draft as very strong
                Grade: B-


Expansion Division:

Hollywood Stars: Sol Ehrlich, RHP; Brian Johnson, 1B/OF; Larry Leakey, C/3B; Lee Gonzalez, OF
                The Stars traded down and then picked a top pitching prospect in Ehrlich and an emerging slugger in Johnson. The also added character and depth with Gonzalez.
                In addition to the young prospects, the Stars acquired former MVP Ray Ubiera on draft day
                Grade: B+

Davie Goliaths: Anthony De Filippis, LHP/OF; Emmanuel Movil, OF; Jason Legunn, RHP/INF; Anthony Howard, OF; Geoff Sabatino, RHP/OF; Gray Gedeon, OF  
                De Filippis is a sound choice as he provides depth, experience, and versatility. Movil is a player with tremendous upside. Legunn can help the pitching staff, as well as having a legitimate shot at the starting shortstop job. Howard and Sabatino will compete for playing time in the outfield, but having both with upgrade the Philistines' defense.
                The G-Men picked good players and addressed their needs.
                Grade: B+

Tri-Cities Tritons: John Hardardt, RHP/INF; Donny Gagliano, C/INF; James Faulkner, OF; Lanny Cion, OF; Ken Fox, 1B/3B
                The Tritons went for pitching and Hardardt, was a solid choice. After that, the Water Dwellers went heavy on veterans.
                The Tritons made very safe choices, except with their first one. If Hardardt produces as expected, this was a good draft.
                Grade: B

Sunrise Sunsets: Jesse Gonzalez, RHP; Alexies Encarnacion, INF/OF; Joel Tejada, INF/OF; Nick Thompson, C; Matthew Cook, OF
                The Twilighters traded up to in order to choose Gonzalez, a tall, hard throwing righty.
                Encarnacion, Tejeda, Thompson, and Cook are reasonable choices, given the Sunsets' draft position.
                Grade: B-

Margate Sentries: Kevin Druckman, LHP; Gian-Pierre Lopez, OF; Ronald Rodriguez, SS/OF; Robert Hilliard, INF/OF
                The Gatekeepers gave away Ubiera, and the rights to Sandy Cabrera, to improve the draft status. The results might add up to the best draft in league history.
                Druckman appears to be an ace in the making. Lopez and Rodriguez, who are both expected to sign shortly, are future all-stars, and Hilliard is the type of player found on winning teams.
                Grade: A+

Lighthouse Point Beacons-Kyle Hauskins-Kaplan, RHP/INF
                The Illuminators had their eye on Druckman, but were not willing to trade up to get him. Hauskins-Kaplan may not be an ace of the staff, but he looks like a valuable addition to the corps.
                The Beacons did acquire mercurial fireballer Steven Hibbs in a draft day deal
                Grade: B






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