IronPig 2009 Draft Review

Iron Pig 2009 Draft Review. This year’s draft class focused primarily on hitters. We were pleased to add three blue chip hitters (Longoria, Upton, Lind), but our fan base dreams longingly of having a pitcher or two that they can root for. Sadly, it doesn’t look like there are any to choose from at this point.

Round 1 (pick 3) – Evan (don’t call me Eva) Longoria – Evan lived up to expectations this past season. We believe that he will hit for more power and continue to play excellent defense at the hot corner for many years to come.
Status: Keeper. His bronze statue is being made as we speak.
Round 1 (trade) – Justin Upton – Justin looks to be a fixture in the Lehigh Valley lineup for the coming season. It remains to be seen whether he will have the defensive skills necessary to play the demanding right field position, or whether he will be relegated to his more natural defensive position of designated hitter. We continue to look for great things from him.
Status: Keeper.
Round 2 – Kevin Slowey – Kevin had an up and down year. We would like him to continue to pitch to contact and rely on his fielders rather than trying to strike everyone out. He is young and the season seemed to wear on him. He was complaining about shoulder fatigue and that may come into play next season. The situation will have to be monitored closely.
Status: Keeper.
Round 2 – Johnny Cueto – At this point, the jury is still out on Cueto. He is still young and showed flashes of brilliance, but he must learn to harness himself and exert all of his energy on his pitching. He is a keeper, but we would like him to develop a bit more consistency.
Status: Keeper.
Round 7 – Travis Hafner – Travis posted some good numbers vs. rhp and he will likely be retained for the upcoming season.
Status: Probable keeper.
Round 7 – Sean Gallagher – Brutal season and will be dropped.
Status: Should be taken behind the woodshed and beaten silly.
Round 7 – Chase Headley – Headley had a decent season posting respectable numbers vs RH pitching. He is young and we would like to give him another shot to see how he does next season. Our outfield is crowded, but we would like to hang onto him never the less.
Status: Probable keeper.
Round 9 – Alexi Casilla – Brutal season and will be dropped.
Status: Recommend group therapy and batting lessons.
Round 9 – J Sowers – He hid his talent well and will not be retained for the coming season.
Status: Recommend that he goes back to selling used cars.
Round 10 – J Garland – He had a mediocre season at best. Unfortunately, with the dearth of starting pitching on our team, he will likely be retained for next season.
Status: Probable keeper.
Round 11 – Louis Castillo - Luis had an incredible bounceback season posting a .319/.411/.345 line vs RHP. He is someone that a playoff team might like to have for the coming season and is available for trade.
Status: Keeper.
Round 12 – Adam Lind – One of the steals of the draft. The left handed batter posted a line of .317/.389/.602 vs RHP. Wow. Not bad for a 12th round pick.
Status: Keeper, but could be traded.
Round 13 – Jensen Lewis – All around awful season. Nice strikeout numbers, but nothing else. He is your guy if you would like a strikeout, but can also afford 2 walks and a single while waiting for it.
Status – Not a keeper.
Round 14 – Glen Perkins – Abysmal would not be an overstatement for his season.
Status – Recommend sex change and career as exotic dancer.
Round 15 – J Mathis – Reverted to career norms. About the only good thing that can be said for him is that he had more homeruns than Barry Bonds last season.
Status: Not a keeper.