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| Projected 1st Overall Pick Mike Trout |
Springfield (AP) –
In what now seems to be the norm, a flurry of trades has led to numerous first round picks changing hands. In what may be a record - four teams (Outlaw, Vermont, Georgia, and Shawnee) do not have selections in the first round of this year’s draft. At first glance, this year’s draft class appears to be stronger than last year’s. The big difference being the dynasty changing potential of the top picks in this year’s draft (Trout, Strasburg, Harper, Machado, and Darvish).
Last year, three first round picks helped propel the Slatington Bulldogs to the NASBL World Series Championship. This year, it is the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs’ turn to see if it can turn its three first round picks into a title for 2013. If the draft goes the way that the times predicts, the Iron Pigs would net Bryce Harper, Jarrod Parker, and A.J. Burnett – not a bad start in following up the Bulldogs’ championship playbook.
Without further adieu, the following is the Springfield Times’ Annual First Round Projections.
#1) EdCouch New Potatoes – Mike Trout (OF)
Although the New Potatoes appear to be loaded with great defensive outfielders (Jon Jay, Austin Jackson, and Melky Cabrera), Mike Trout has been hyped at a level that has never been seen in NASBL history. With that in mind, the Times would be hard pressed to believe that the New Potatoes would use this pick on anyone but Trout. The only question remains - has there ever been a DH in NASBL history that was rated a 2e0 in centerfield?
#2) Dallas Forth Worth Spurs – Stephen Strasburg (SP)
While the aforementioned Mike Trout hype is the biggest the Times can remember, it is followed closely by the hype for starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper. Considering the current Spurs roster, as constructed, the Times predicts that Stras-mas will come early this year in Dallas and the Spurs will eschew Harper for Strasburg. This is the toughest call in this draft. A healthy Strasburg has the ability to be the best player in NASBL, but it is hard not to be wary of past history. The last instance that the Times can recall hype of this level for a starting pitcher – it was for a hurler named Mark Prior.
#3) Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs – Bryce Harper (OF)
The youngest player available in the draft, and the one with the biggest upside in power, is Bryce Harper. Would have been the #1 pick in the draft in most every year and the Iron Pigs are thrilled that they can grab such a player with the #3 pick in this draft. Has a cannon arm and should plug in at right field in the middle of the Iron Pigs order for the next 15-20 years (not an exaggeration).
#4) Pocono Chin Music – Manny Machado (3B)
The 2nd youngest player in the draft is a youngster named Manny Machado. Although not quite hyped at the same level of the three players picked above him, Machado oozes talent and a maturity far beyond his years. Third base has turned into a difficult position to find a cornerstone player in NASBL. Macahdo could undoubtedly turn into one and there does not appear to be anyone blocking Machado at 3B for the Chin Music. There are talks that Machado’s ultimate position may be SS in NASBL, which would make him an even better value here.
#5) Grundy County Grizzlies – Yu Darvish (SP)
Power pitchers typically perform well in NASBL. Darvish struck out 221 MLB hitters in only 191 innings in his first taste of MLB competition. Darvish is incredibly polished for a 25 year old pitcher, having pitched his native country to World Baseball Classic glory. The Grizz hope that Darvish’s success in MLB and internationally will translate to success in the much tougher competition of the NASBL.
#6) Troy Haymakers (via Trade from Vermont) – Fernando Rodney (CL)
Ken Anderson has made many trades during this NASBL offseason that put the Haymakers in line to compete for a championship in 2013 (rumors are he may not be done and is shopping this pick). Considering this, the Haymakers are looking for the best player on the board here…regardless of age. Although older than normal, as far as first round standards are concerned, Fernando Rodney was probably the best reliever in all of major league baseball last year. If Troy keeps this pick, the Haymkers will use all 75 of Rodney’s innings to frustrate NASBL opponents this year. As they say, flags fly forever, and Ken Anderson sees his squad able to compete for the title this year. Rodney gives him the best chance.
#7) Illinois Chow Chows (via Trade from Springfield) – Yoenis Cespedes (OF)
Cespedes was a You Tube sensation via a video posted by his agent showing the youngster performing all sorts of heroic feats, on and off of a baseball diamond. Sources tell the Times that an e-mail account linked to Chows owner Brad Sherlag appeared to be enamored with this video – “liking” at more than 1000 times. The Chows recently traded a gold glove caliber second basemen to the Topes in order to move up five spots in the draft. Brad Sherlag must have someone specific in mind for this pick. Put it all together and you get Yoenis Cespedes.
#8) Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (via Trade from Georgia) – Jarrod Parker (SP)
While the Iron Pigs lineup looks solid, it can clearly use some help in the rotation. Parker is a young hurler with over 180 really strong innings that will fit in nicely as the #2 starter behind last year’s first round pick, Jordan Zimmermann.
#9) Canyon Country Cannons – Jason Kipnis (2B)
Brendan Conrad inherits a strong team, albeit one with an apparent hole at 2B for 2013 due to an uncharacteristic off year from Ian Kinsler versus right handed pitchers. In steps Jason Kipnis, a young player who would perfectly compliment Kinsler at the heavy side of a platoon at 2B this year and as the 2nd basemen of the Cannons’ future.
#10) Seattle Pilots – Brett Lawrie (3B)
While Chipper Jones is a fine offensive 3rd basemen, it may be his last season in NASBL if the rumored talks of his retirement are not unfounded. From all indications, Brett Lawrie is a gold-glove caliber 3rd basemen, and still very young. Lawrie just missed qualifying for last year’s NASBL draft, where it was believed he would have been a top 5 pick – if he was eligible. Lawrie would appear to fit in nicely as the Pilots 3rd basemen of the future.
#11) Slatington Bulldogs (via Trade from Troy) – Matt Moore (SP)
Adam Leickel went all in last year, and it brought the Bulldogs a championship. You will not hear Bulldogs fans complaining (at least you should not), but the all in strategy undoubtedly left some holes for this year’s squad. The Bulldogs can go pretty much anywhere with this pick, but it could be argued that Moore would have gone #1 overall in last year’s draft, had he met the minimum innings requirement. Although his season in MLB was slightly disappointing based on the hype, Moore still had a respectable 3.81 ERA and struck out 175 hitters in 177 innings. Moore is a great value at #11 and the Bulldogs grab him here.
#12) Springfield Isotopes (via Trade from Illinois) – Anthony Rizzo (1B)
With no offense intended to Jarrod Saltalmacchia or Adam Dunn, the Topes do not have a legitimate first sacker on its roster. Ever since the Topes released Lance Berman a couple of years ago, there has been a revolving door at 1B in Springfield. Topes fans have called it the Curse of the Big Puma. Lucky for Doug Sherlag, there appears to be a player available that fits this need and could end the curse forever. His name is Anthony Rizzo and the Topes are glad he is available at #12.
#13) Dallas Fort Worth (from Shawnee) – Salvador Perez (C)
Ryan Hanigan is a nice backstop for the Spurs, however he is on the wrong side of 30 and Red Robbins won’t pass up his chance to draft Hanigan’s successor. At 22 years of age, Perez has an absolute cannon for an arm and has shown the ability to hit for average and power in his limited at bats in major league baseball. There is a chance that Red still grabs his catcher of the future here, but prefers the more polished offensive game of Yasmani Grandal or Wilin Rosario with this pick.
#14) Lake Champlain Cannibals – Brendan Crawford (SS)
Although Troy Tulowitzki is one of the top players in NASBL when healthy, Tulo suffered various ailments in major league baseball, meaning the Cannibals do not have a shortstop with meaningful at bats on its roster. At 25 years of age, Crawford already has the reputation of a gold glove shortstop. Although there is no doubt that Crawford’s bat lags behind his glove, Steve Beard understands the value of a young player that has already received a “1” at SS in his first full season. The Times believes the last time that Hal bestowed a “1” on a player in his first full season at SS, that player was named Elvis Andrus. Go ahead and ask Mark Hildebrandt how that pick worked out.
#15) Seattle Pilots (via Trade from Outlaw) – Brandon Moss (OF/1B)
The Pilots appear poised to compete for a title in 2013 based on the strength of its rotation and a solid lineup at all positions. Although Moss only has 265 at bats - what at bats those are. Brandon Moss could be the difference between a wild card and a championship for a NASBL squad. Whenever he comes to the plate against a right hander, Moss’ raw power has the ability to garner the type of respect that is only usually reserved for the likes of Barry Lamar Bonds. By far the best offensive card available against righties, Moss is also extremely solid against lefties and would be a beast in the playoffs for the Pilots.
#16) Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (via Trade from Slatington) – A.J. Burnett (SP)
The Iron Pigs offense should allow them to compete this year in NASBL. The rotation was addressed somewhat with its earlier pick of Jarrod Parker. Although low innings starters like Brett Anderson and Brandon Beachy would thrive in the postseason, the Iron Pigs may need a workhorse near the top of the rotation if it wants to make it there. Enter A.J. Burnett. No one has ever questioned Burnett’s talent, and he seems to have put it all together in 202 strong innings in a bounceback season in MLB and would look great near the top of the rotation for the Iron Pigs.
