Draft Review - NL South

Iowa City

First Round: Didn’t sign.

Grade: Incomplete

The rest: The Comics only signed five of its top ten picks. Granted, none were going to set the world on fire, but at minimum they would have added some minor league depth. The picks they did sign have two chances to get to the Show. Slim and none.

Grade: F

Monterrey

First Round: Tony Henriquez projects to be an on-base machine but will be stretched defensively at 2B. He also projects to have good durability and outstanding health. The only potential “downsides” are average baserunning and power and aforementioned subpar defense at 2B.

Grade: A

The rest: Second rounder Joey O'Donnell projects to have very good splits, but his average control and secondary pitches may hold him back. Much like O’Donnell, 4^th rounder Andres Aguilar will have issues with his control and pitches, but he does not have O’Donnell’s very good splits to fall back on. Seventh round C Delino Molina projects to be good defensively, but will need a platoon partner who can hit righties.

Grade: B

Oklahoma City

First Round: Chosen at pick 13, Rodrigo Olmedo projects to have neither the defensive aptitude to an asset up the middle nor the bat to play at a corner. He’ll be a nice utility player, but you hope for more at 13.

Grade: C-

The rest: 2^nd rounder Pablo Vidal has the defensive chops to stick in the ML; hopefully his bat can hold up its end of the bargain. Mendy Knight will be ok in LF and steal some bases, but could use a platoon partner to hit lefties. Keith Earley should provide good defense in CF, but his bat may be a problem. He will steal some bases (I sense an organizational theme here). Also gets bonus points for hailing from a place called “Accident.”

Grade: B+

St Louis

First Round: Hideki Martin looks to be a nice pick at 23, projecting to be a solid mid-rotation starter. The only knock would be an only slightly above average health rating, but as the Yankees have proven time and time again, health ratings ain’t nothing but a number.

Grade: B+

The rest: Buddy Bowen project to provide decent D in CF or at 2B and steal some bases, but may not have much to offer with the rest of his offensive game. Jacob Howard offers impressive split ratings, but unimpressive control will hold him back a bit.

Grade: C