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                The pre-season draft meetings ended late Monday night as team representatives filed out of the meeting room at the Federal League Conference Annex. 34 players were drafted and all are hoping to make an impact when play opens on April 18. 
                Reol Alvarez, a power hitting third baseman from West Palm Beach, drafted by the Hollywood Stars, was the first player selected in the draft.
                The league's defending champions, the Fort Lauderdale Blazers, led the way, making seven selections
                A complete list of the draft results can be found here.

Original Division:

Commercial Aviation Mudcats: Johnny Ventura, 3B; Luis Villa, SS/OF; Carlos Rodriguez; SS
                The Mudcats filled a pressing need with third sacker Ventura, he should start right away. Villa and Rodriguez should be in the mix for starting jobs, as well.
                The Whiskered Fish improved their roster with a solid and practical draft, despite the absence of a first round pick.
                Grade: B+

Broward Cubs: Michael Robbins, C; Omar Garcia; 2B/SS; Don Burgess, RHP/INF; Stanley Stuart, 1B/3B; Todd Vose, 1B; Juan Eiler Labrada, 3B
                Robbins is expected to earn the starting catching assignment during the spring. Garcia will certainly make an impact. Burgess is a quality veteran. Stuart displays raw power. Vose has a shot to replace the injured Jamie Bobrow, and Labrada looks like a sleeper pick that may end up winning the third base job.
                This is the Cubs' best draft in ages.
                Grade: B+

Sunrise Sunsets: Amaury Drago, RHP; Michael Sisti, 2B/OF; Reymar Cabrera, INF/OF; Christian Reyes, 1B
                Drago is a staff ace, if the Twilighters can sign him. Sisti, Cabrera, and Reyes are all solid choices that will have an opportunity to impress in spring camp.
                This is a very good draft, provided Drago signs. 
                Grade: B 

Fort Lauderdale Blazers: Alex Pagano, RHP; Amen Shalabi, C/3B/OF; Yoilan Piedra, 3B/OF; Michael Lewis, OF; Luis Junco, OF; Bill Bunch, 3B/OF; Ken Fox, OF
                The Blazers went for depth in general, other than taking a flyer on Pagano, a highly touted pitcher. Shalabi, Lewis, and Junco should contribute right away.
                If Pagano signs, this draft would get an A. Until then...
                Grade: B-


Expansion Division:

Hollywood Stars: Reol Alvarez, 3B; R.J. Neal, OF; Keean Pritchard, OF; Rafael Amanau, 2B; Bradley Leiblie, RHP/OF 
                The Stars got two of the most highly rated players in the draft in Alvarez and Neal. Both will be in the opening day starting lineup. Pritchard and Amanau could be great additions as well. The Stars took a shot that Leiblie, a pitcher from Cumming, Georgia, might decide to sign. It was definitely a late round gamble worth taking.
                Stars' manager Billy De Vuyst turned in a strong draft. The Stars got two of the draft's most highly regarded prospects and addressed their immediate needs.
                Grade: A

Davie Goliaths: Tony Krahwinkel, C/OF; Cristian Perez-Astudillo, SS; Lazaro Martinez, SS   
                Anthony De Filippis took over the team on Sunday, and on Monday he made a strong impression at the draft.
                Krahwinkel and Perez-Astudillo are both highly rated and signed.
                Grade: B+

Tri-Cities Tritons: Jonathan Brogan, RHP/OF; Denzel Nickerson, OF/2B; Dan Ahlstrand, OF
                The Tritons went for pitching and Brogan, was a solid choice. After that, the Water Dwellers concentrated on outfield depth.
                The Tritons made very sensible selections, provided that they can get all three players into camp.
                Grade: B

Margate Sentries: Rafael Soto, OF/RHP; James Kiely, LHP/OF; Alex Sweeting, OF
                The Gatekeepers will start the season with outfielder Jason Jones and shortstop Andres Libran on the disabled list, so it was no surprise that the Fightin' Phils favored outfielders. 
                Unfortunately, the Laufmen were unable to snag a middle infielder. So, on that basis, their grade must fall a bit.
                Grade: C+

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