Now that the dust has settled for a day, I will weigh in on the first round of the 2012 draft. Probably not much different than others mocks in the long run.
1. Olivet: Robinson Cano 2b
With 2 mocks having me take Gomzalez here and 1 with Cano, I figured I would even up the score. Not going to find Cano's production at 2b anywhere else. However, with Kelly Johnson on the roster and Cuddyer 2b eligible it opens up some possibilities. Who knows, maybe it was Tulowitzki all along
2. Hackensack: Adrian Gonzalez 1b
Gonzo is a solid 5 year and a perennial MVP candidate. He increased his doubles by double digits moving to Fenway, yet the HRs leveled out. Some say it was his shoulder. Regardless he'll be a big run producer. The bb's may or may not increase now that he's in a lineup with MLB players rather than the Quad A talent San Diego rolled out around him. (Side note: I could see Bautista go here)
3. South Texas: Troy Tulowitzki SS
The move of Fielder isn't too odd when you look closer. Tulo when healthy is tops at a thin(ner) position and a few years younger. Will he out produce Fielder for the next 4 years? I doubt it. But at least Berg won't have to root for a stud who scorned his lovable Brewers for greener pastures (and a butt load of Little Caesers money)
4. Atlantic: Jose Bautista 3b/OF
BJ doesn't want to be the worst Upton in the Surge lineup so he convinces the GM to select Joey Bats. Who knows, this could Cliff Lee to go with JV, Kennedy, Hudson, and Zimmerman.
5. Julian: Justin Upton OF
I think Jamie is getting excited about the options here. Either Bautista falls because of a few unknowns and apparent age (I'm 31, not old at all) Upton is probably the best all around OF in draft and ill make the token Kemp comparison now. Just stay away from Rihanna son, that bitch is poison. (Yes, I realize I claimed not to be old while calling an adult son within a sentence of each other. So what?)
6. Springfield: Mike Stanton OF
The consensus here has been McCutchen but I think in the end the idea of a 40 homer a year player is too much to pass on. I have no other logic to go on here except maybe Adam wants to pay homage to former Brave reliever and all time holds leader Mike Stanton.
7. Oviedo: Andrew McCutchen OF
He has said all along he wants one of the 3 young OFs and in this scenerio McCutchen falls. My gut still says Hanley Ramirez here, although Hamilton would fit in well with Mike's oft-injured OF
8. Dallas: Mark Teixeira 1b
Ryan Howard exits, enter another big bat to man first for the Red Birds. Average aside you can't argue with the power numbers here. Big Tex will likely be the only one in the Red Birds lineup with more than 30 hrs and less than 20 steals this season
9. Olivet: Hanley Ramirez SS(3b)
Just what the team needs, another player coming off an injury filled subpar season. At least he will fill the void at 3b unless Reyes goes down with a hyperextended dreadlock in week 1.
10. North Texas: Elvis Andrus SS
I was going to calculate the end result of Adrian trading in and out of the 1st 13 times but its Monday and my head hurts. In the end he saw Doyels mock and knew he wouldn't get Andrus 13. Truly can't go wrong with Reyes either, Berg has won me over on the comparison between the two.
11. Dallas: Jose Reyes SS
Scores a lot of runs? Check. Steals a lot of bases? Check. Won't hit 10 hrs? Check. You scored perfect on the RedBird application Jose, welcome to Dallas.
12. Michigan: Jay Bruce OF
This could go many different directions but I think Chris opts for the streaky young Red who's the last of the non injury prone power OFs. This decision was made on his way to Tigers.com to buy a Prince in the D jersey
13. Mid-Michigan: Josh Hamilton OF
The Tigers need an OF with only Jackson who's coming off a lackluster year. I presume he thought Bruce would fall here when he traded down. With a 5 year manned by Miggy the drafting of Hamilton makes a lot of sense. For the 11th straight season MidMich vies for a playoff birth and hopes that the portion of the season where Hamilton is healthy is the final couple months
14. Rochester: Cliff Lee SP
He's been secretive about his pick, denying everyone from Bruce to Pence to Jesus. I doubt he reaches for a 1b here unless he really wants Konerko or Hosmer insanely bad. Can't argue with Lee, but with hitting a premium its a steal down here.
15. North Texas: Adrian Beltre 3b
Here's a situation where best available at a position of need just happens to be a Ranger. That's what he'll say so that's what we should believe. Bet your bottom dollar he is eyeballing Moreland to complete the all Texas infield.
16. Arizona: Hunter Pence OF
Everything the Swarm touches becomes infected with greatness. Alex Avila? Melky Cabrera? Even Matt Kemp. Hunter Pence will be the next in line.
I actually mocked 6 rounds but after a round and a half it turns less into a mock and more my own ranks. So.... Here it is. Let's all get some rest Tuesday and get crackin on Wednesday.
Berg may be right about the comparisons between Reyes and Andrus but the thing I can't get over is neither one of them deserves to be in this years first round draft IMO, few HR's/RBI/BB. Grossly overpaying for SB's. I remember years ago people thought Clemens would win close to 30 upon landing in NY. Ha...so I don't expect Reyes to all of a sudden be all world just because he is in Flordia. It's ok, better players drop to me. BTW Fielder and Tulo are the same age. Good mock but I still see some younger guys sneaking in at the end of the round.
ReplyDeleteActually got my ages screwed up while debating between Cano and Gonzalez since both are 29, not sure why but I ended up lumping Prince into that age group. His body mass is a few years older though.
ReplyDeleteAs for Reyes/Andrus; I personally am not a huge fan of them as higher first round selections but a lot of people are. I was just stating that Berg has convinced me that the two SS are very similar, not giving one an edge over the other while the consensus seems to favor Reyes considerably. In the spots that these guys are projected to go I'd much rather take a guy with some pop in his bat and take a SS later on. You'll find SB LATE in the draft if you have to, if not guys like Aybar will be around a few rounds later and Gordon later yet.
To further your point, I thought Halladay would win 30 games in Philly :)
Renner you'll get your chance today to find out but history has said Younger guess don't slip. They are overly hyped and reached. Look at some of the names being discussed. Most are going to go early and vets will drop. People like Ramirez and Reyes will fall farther then they should. in round 2 SP and Konerko and AROD will fall. Maybe even McCann.. People like the unknown thinking they will exceed expectations..
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