Supplemantal Draft - One Man's Opinion

This year's Supplemental Draft did not have much to choose from. Names like Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Zito sounded great, but what will they contribute.

The Griz went into the Supplemental Draft Room in lockdown mode. They rated all the available players and pitchers and much to their surprise - they did not find someone they felt they had to have. We kept 12 hitters and 4 pitchers so pitching is our greatest need. With one draft pick we had hoped to find a lefty hitting OFer who hits and play defense - like Griffey used to.

We are looking to improve on our 64 - 98 record. We would like to win at least 1/2 our games and our offense is ready to do that. However, our defense has taken a giant leap backwards. Our infield will not be 1B-1, 2B-1, SS-2, 3B-1. Youkilis returns but will likely move to 3B as a 3. Uggla is an ugly 4 at 2B. Drew replaces Betencourt at SS and is a 2. Morneau has a fielding edge to start at 1B and may split time with a 4 and a 5. Our 2nd place division finish last year was nice - but we have all ready noted the positives moves Vermont has made to its roster in order to reload and Pocono is always a winner.

As for the Supplemental Draft we ended up with 5 pitchers on our draft board. Wakefield was rated #1 and the Pilots took him with the only 1st round pick in the S. Draft. He has a good card but if/when you get on you can steal all day on his +9 hold rating.

Two of our next 4 rated pitchers went with the first 2 picks of the second round. Oliver Perez appears to shut LHBers down pretty well was 3rd on my list and Kevin Gregg, a closer was #2 one day and #1 the next day --- depending on how I felt. Gregg went third overall. Macier Izuturis a solid fielding/good hitting utility infielder who went next - I liked him but not enough to take him a head of a pitcher. The Chin Music took Barry Zito next with the last 2nd round pick. I am assuming they think he will rebound. He was cut by the Knights who had the worst league record. Zito had an 8.++ ERA for the Knights and just about as bad a year in MLB in 2008. So, I really doubt he would be much help this NASBL season, unless you were looking for an earlier draft pick.

Round 3 started and I had the 2nd pick in the round with the 2 remaining pitchers on my list still available. YEAH!!!

The Haymakers took former Griz SS Jhonny Peralta.

Now I had a dilema - both pitcher are available. Did I make a mistake? Have I rated these guys too highly. Should I look at lefty bats again. What should I do.

I looked at the available player list and did not see anyone that would play ahead of my top 12 keepers. OK, good --- now --- Do I want the SP or the RP. The starter was not bad - but not good either. The reliever I wanted could end up closing if I needed him to. (Griz don't have a closer).

Tick-Tock

Tick - Tock

What to do.

Hell, I will just take the reliever. I announce Jon Rauch. He will take the pressure off me to grab a closer early. Maybe. I doubt if he puts fear on the face of many batters, not like the old mad Hungarian, Al Hrabowski did. Well - he is half bad. Hope he is at least half good. Made my pick. Just glad that the 2 pitchers on my draft board were still there, I do not know if I could have passed on a supplemental pick. If I had to take someone - I would have recalled last years GRIZ ROY candidate Bannister, and hoped for a rebound season from him since he had an awful sophomore season.

Pilots then took Jason Marquis, recently traded by the Griz as part of a package to acquire Matt Holliday. Marquis had pitched ok for the Bears last year and should win a few games for the Pilots who had also taken Wakefield and Gregg earlier in the S. Draft.

Richie Sexson was taken off the board - a LH 1B- the Griz had thought about, but really, when would he get a chance to play on our roster.

Future HOF OF Ken Griffey Jr was thrilled that the Spurs picked him as their replacement for Barry Bonds with the next to last pick of the S. Draft. Griffey has Bond's defensive 4.

Pocono picked a Washington RHRP-Sal Rivera. Rivera gives 84 innings of relief for Pocono's blow out games.

The slow Griz runners are looking forward to upping their steal attempts against Wakefield and Rivera.

So the Griz give the Pilots an A+ for drafting Wakefield and Gregg, the two top pitchers on the Griz list. The Griz give themselves a B+ for adding a reliever/closer type. The Haymakers also get a B+ with their additions of Oliver Perez and Jhonny Peralta. The Chin Music get a B for 2010, maybe, and a C- for 2009. The Fluffy Dogs get a B for 2009 as do the Cowboy Horse Action Initiaters.

I wish each of you well. Bring on the Real Draft.