Shoeless Joe S5 Draft - First Round Recap

Season Five here in Shoeless Joe just seems to be flying by, doesn't it? This morning, the Amateur Draft was held. All 32 teams selecting the best of what their scouts can find, to try and build up the organization's future. There was tremendous value in some of the picks. There were picks that left some scratching their heads. Here's a recap of the first round, minus the compesnation picks.


(1) COOKIE FOX, RF: A nice power hitting RF with decent speed and good makeup. He'll fit in nicely in Austin. Once he signs, that is. B+

(2) BRANT JACKSON, SS: A real good looking SS prospect, will be a future stud player. Durability could be an issue. A-

(3) HAYWOOD HOWARD, SS: Solid, all-around player. Listed at SS, but more of a CF/3B type. He'll be a solid pro. B+

(4) HOOKS WEBSTER, P: He's is a bonafide stud SP. Superstar in the making. KC just needs to give him the cash he wants to make it happen. A

(5) ZACK HERNANDEZ, SS: A legit power-hitting prospect. May not have the range to play SS, but either way, he's a keeper. B+

(6) JEFF SWEENEY, P: A good prospect with great pitches. He'll see some All-Star games before his career ends. B

(7) OTIS WARDEN, P: A superb looking LR/SP prospect. Stamina and college are his only issues. A-

(8) CHICK LANGFORD, P: Decent looking SP prospect. Needs a better first pitch. B-

(9) NERIO KENDALL, P: Nice right-handed SP prospect who'll be a mainstay in their rotation for years. B

(10) PHIL SISLER, RF: Not a bad future everyday RF. Will need time to develop. C

(11) SADIE KRAUSE, 2B: Solid power-hitting 2B taken here. Can he play everyday when he's ready though? B

(12) KEN OWENS, P: Nice value at this pick. Future All-Star SP. B+

(13) FELIPE MIRANDA, SS: Slick fielding SS with a nice bat to boot. Health and durability could be a problem. B

(14) WILKIN ROMERO, 2B: Nothing flashy about this guy. He's all-around solid. B-

(15) JEFF SHEETS, SS: Not sure if he'll play SS at the ML level, but he'll find his way into the lineup. B

(16) BRANDON HOWELL, CF: Ratings aren't available for this player because he wasn't scouted well enough. INCOMPLETE

(17) STEVE MOORE, P: Could be one of the league's best future closers, if he was more durable. B

(18) GRADY DIAZ, P: Not a bad setup reliever. Good value at 18. B-

(19) EARL SHAW, P: Philly bolstered their future bullpen with this setup/closer type. He'll excel wherever he goes. B

(20) AUBREY HENRY, 1B: You need power? Henry's your man. Speed? Eh, not so much. B-

(21) ADAM GREY, CF: Nice looking defensive CF, but he probably won't sign. LV will take the extra comp pick. C+

(22) LYLE UPSHAW, P: He's as average as it gets. Santa Fe could have done a lot better with this pick. C

(23) SAL FELLER, P: A LR prospect who fits in Atlanta's long term plans. He'll be a decent bullpen option. B-

(24) AARON LEACH, P: Decent control SP who's a nice pickup at 24. Has some nice pitches. C+

(25) FAUSTO LIRIANO, SS: A legit SS with a good bat? With the 25th pick? Can't beat it. A-

(26) FERGIE POWER, 1B: An everyday 1B who'll eventually find his way permanently into the Redhawk lineup. B-

(27) PETE CROSS, P: Another solid SP picked late in the first round. His signability remains an issue. B-

(28) DAMIAN ZHANG, SS: This guy is a fielding machine. Just don't ask him to bat against righties. C+

(29) GENE HUGHES, C: Decent platoon C with a nice bat. If used correctly, will be extremely valuable. C

(30) ALLIE SIMMONS, RF: Decent fielding 2B who excels against righties with the stick. Could get lost in Salem's minors. C

(31) JUNIOR DASILVA, CF: Nice looking 2B/CF type who can flat out fly. B-

(32) BERNIE PADILLA, P: This guy eats innings. As long as he stays healthy, that is. C