Springfield Times Releases Annual Mock First Round

Springfield (AP) - It was another interesting trade season in NASBL, with 7 first round picks being dealt. Lehigh Valley and Illinois each have three first round picks this year, and Outlaw and Honolulu each have two first-rounders. It appears that the Tastes Great League values its 1st round picks a little more than the Less Filling League considering that 12 of the 16 first round selections will be made by teams hailing from the TGL. Without further adieu, the following is the Springfield Times’ Annual First Round Projections.

#1) Georgia – Pablo Sandoval (3B,C,1B)
The Roadkill do not have a 3B to speak of, not considering Chase Headley (who is primarily a left fielder in MLB) – Enter KUNG FU PANDA. Nobody in this draft hits the ball like Kung Fu Panda, he is a switch hitter, and the guy plays three positions (two premium positions in catcher and third base). He’s a young Kirby Puckett, bad body and all. However if they decide to go another direction, considering the talent in this draft, Georgia can literally do no wrong with this pick.

#2) Lehigh Valley – Josh Johnson (SP)
The Iron Pigs need a front-line starter to go along with its front-line offense. Johnson has the innings that give him a slight edge over Tommy Hanson. Johnson is no stranger to being a high level draft pick, being picked #18 overall by the Chows in the 2007 NASBL Draft. The Vermont front office may face a few difficult questions from the local Vermont media on draft day. Vermont traded a first rounder during the 2007 NASBL season as part of a larger deal that netted Johnson for the Sioux, only to subsequently release him a little more than a year later.

#3) Outlaw (via trade with PCM) – Elvis Andrus (SS)
As soon as Mark made this deal, the Springfield Times had the feeling that he was looking for the heir apparent to Omar Vizquel. A “1” at SS at 21 years old is unheard of and Andrus can be plugged in to the Outlaw lineup for the next 12-15 years. That sound you hear is the weeping of ground ball hitters on the Trash Heap, Iron Pigs, and Roadkill who have to deal with this guy manning shortstop for a division rival the rest of their careers.

#4) Troy – Tommy Hanson (SP)
Would have been the #1 pick in many years, but this draft is loaded. Hard to pass up on Matt Weiters, but Troy is unable to label last year’s first rounder, Geovanny Soto, a bust at this point so it goes with the young fireballer.

#5) New York – Matt Weiters (C)
It’s possible in a few years from now that we will be asking how Weiters fell to #5, just like we are currently asking how in the world Joe Mauer fell to the #6 pick of the 2007 draft (which was predicted by the Springfield Times and the answer to the trivia question is: the players drafted ahead of Mauer in 2007 were Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Howard, Scott Kazmir, and Huston Street).

#6) Illinois – Chris Carpenter (SP)
Carpenter has a top five starting pitching card. This pick is a no-brainer if the Chows are looking to make a run at it this year. Trivia note: this will be the THIRD time that Carpenter has been drafted in the 1st round of the NASBL draft (having previously been drafted in the 1st round by Outlaw in 1999 and again by the Cannons in 2005). Let’s see if this pattern continues: draft Carpenter, get a few good years from him, put Carpenter on IR for a season when he has his inevitable arm surgery, and release Carpenter when he doesn’t return the next season. After he returns from missing two full NASBL seasons, Carpenter gets drafted in the 1st round. Rinse…Repeat

#7) Illinois (via trade with DFW) – Gordon Beckham (3B)
Beckham is the perfect platoon mate for Chone Figgins at 3B and will be the second baseman of the future for the Chows, no offense meant to Martin Prado.

#8) Illinois (via trade with LCC) – Rick Porcello (SP)
Had a really, really solid MLB season at 20 years old. Not many pitchers have been able to do what he did at that age. Porcello could be very special.

#9) Grundy County – Andrew McCutchen (CF)
Grundy County is thrilled that a talent like this is available and are in need of an outfield bat. McCutchen has greater than 400 MLB at bats showing that his immense talent will translate to production in NASBL. Also is rated a “2” at a premium defensive position, with a cannon for an arm.

#10) Honolulu – Kendry Morales (1B)
After utilizing various glove-first first baseman (Kotchman, Loney, Overbay, etc.) over the years, Stan finally gets a guy who can take advantage of his park’s cozy dimensions and helps offset the lefty killers like Werth, Rolen, and Victorino in his lineup.

#11) Lehigh Valley (via trade with MSU) – David Price (SP)
If Price was available last year, he probably would have been a top 5 pick. While his first year in MLB was not quite in line with expectations, he finally found his control, posting a 1.19 WHIP the 2nd half of the season and could be a top of the rotation guy for years to come.

#12) Lehigh Valley (via trade with SPR) – Nyjer Morgan (CF)
If I told you that you could have get a “1” in CF with over 40 on base chances versus righties and 40+ stolen bases with the 12th pick in the draft who is still on the right side of 30, wouldn’t you say “Sign me up”. Having no viable centerfielder on its roster, the Iron Pigs get strong up the middle defensively with a guy who really came into his own since his trade to Washington in MLB (.351/.396/.435 in 212 plate appearances in Washington).

#13) Vermont – Randy Wells (SP)
Rumor has it that Vermont is shopping this pick. If they keep it, it is clear that Vermont needs to fill out its rotation in this draft. Wells is the best combination of youth/results/innings available here. J.A. Happ, Joel Piniero, or Brett Anderson could also be considered for this pick.

#14) Honolulu (via trade with NJT) – Nelson Cruz (RF)
Cruz rates as a 2 in RF with a cannon arm and tons of ballparks against both sides. Also steals bases. This year’s version of Shin-Soo Choo goes to the Hawaiians (older than normal prospect that always had minor league success and never really got a chance at the MLB level for some reason).

#15) Springfield (via trade with SPL) – J.A. Happ (SP/RP)
Doug Sherlag loves his lefty pitchers. Happ gives the Topes the flexibility it needs since he is rated as both a starter and reliever giving him the edge over Brett Anderson.

#16) Outlaw – Dexter Fowler (CF)
Although Outlaw needs a 3B, with Sandoval and Beckham off the board, anyone they would take here would probably be a reach. Therefore, Outlaw goes with the best young player available in Dexter Fowler. Switch hitting centerfielder with a “2” in CF and a cannon arm that hits both sides. This pick allows Outlaw to put Manny Ramirez in the DH slot where he belongs and provides Outlaw with an extra outfielder, which will be beneficial considering two Outlaw outfielder keepers (Ramirez and Rajah Davis) have less than 400 at bats each. Rockies outfielders have had good success over the years (Hawpe, Pierre, Walker, Holliday, Bichette, etc.) in NASBL and Fowler should be no exception. Outlaw could also go with Colby Rasmus here.