Friday, January 6, 2012

Where Are They Now? - Part 2

Continuing on: we're taking a look back at the first 10 draft picks from 10 and 5 seasons ago to see how those draftees panned out.

Season 13:
  1. Miller Jordan (P - Rochester Rochy Road Rochstars) - now in his seventh major league season, he has returned to the franchise that originally drafted him after spending his first six ML seasons in Albuquerque.  A bust as a first overall pick, he's only produced a 57-64 career record with a 1.49 WHIP and a 4.73 ERA.  No awards on his resume.
  2. Brett Parent (P - San Diego Seagulls) - also in his seventh major league season, he's also now pitching for Rochester after spending his first six ML seasons in Minnesota / Cincinnati.  Only slightly better than Miller Jordan at 70-62 career record, with a 1.35 WHIP and a 4.47 ERA.  He has won a Silver Slugger as a P, and has a World Series ring.
  3. Al Furcal (P - Charlotte Moose Hunters / St Louis Owls) - did not signed a major league contract after being drafted out of high school.  He passed on the big bucks to attend the University of Miami, where he blew his elbow out in his sophmore year.  Currently serving a 5 to 10 year sentance in the Florida penal system for drug trafficking.
  4. Carson Bottalico (CF/2B - Chicago Old Style / New Britain Blood Brothers) - now in his seventh major league season, he is currently the starting second baseman for the Cincinnati Mini Men.  He is entering the prime of his career with .293/.388/.512 (.900 OPS) with 150 career home runs, 468 RBIs and 711 runs scored.  He's also stolen 266 bases in his career.  He's made one All Star appearance and won a Silver Slugger at 2B.
  5. Wilkin Lira (P - Durham Bulls) - now in his seventh major league season, he joined the Little Rock Cigars this season after spending his first six seasons in Durham.  Splitting his time between starting and relief, he's put up career numbers of 47-36, with a 1.44 WHIP and a 4.93 ERA.  No awards.
  6. Jermaine Earley (P - Arizona Wildcats / Albuquerque Roadrunners) - now in his eighth major league season, he's currently a starter for New Britain.  He's put up decent career numbers of 87-51, with a 1.34 WHIP and 4.19 ERA.  He's made three All Star appearances to date.
  7. Midre Paz (P - Boise Spuds / Milwaukee Suds) - now in his ninth major league season as a member of the Milwaukee starting rotation, he's put up a mediocre 73-89 record despite a respectable 1.33 WHIP and 3.94 ERA.  No awards.
  8. Tomas Rodrigo (P - Baltimore Blast / New York Pick Pockets) - now in his sixth major league season, he is currently a member of the Kansas City Blues starting rotation.  Career record of 63-56 with a 1.45 WHIP and 4.55 ERA.  No awards.
  9. Ruben Rijo (P - Vancouver Fighting Skeletons) - now in his fifth major league season, recently joined the Durham Bulls after being unemployed for the first part of the current season.  Another first round bust, he's compiled a career record of 28-41 with a 1.59 WHIP and 5.69 ERA.
  10. Reese Edwards (C - Boise Spuds / Milwaukee Suds) - now in his eighth major league season with the Suds, he's been durable yet average hitter with little power.  Career numbers of .279/.358/.331 (.689 OPS), he only has 35 career home runs in over 2,800 ABs.
Season 18:
  1. Rich Hood (P - Cincinnati Porkers / Buffalo Blizzard) - now in his second major league season, he's off to a spectacular start for the Blizzard.  In 50 ML starts over 305 IP, he's compiled a 21-10 record with a 0.98 WHIP and 2.47 ERA.  He was AL Rookie of the Year and made an All Star appearances in his first full season.
  2. Ross Lennon (P - Kansas City Blues) - now in his third major league season with Kansas City, his career is also off to a solid start.  A record of 30-21 with a 1.24 WHIP and 3.61 WHIP in 74 starts.  He also has one All Star selection on his resume.
  3. Albert Laffey (P - San Francisco Oles) - now in his third major league season with San Francisco, he's put up a career mark of 45-37 with a 1.30 WHIP and 3.87 ERA.  No awards to date.
  4. Rafael Cervelli (1B - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines) - now in his third major league season with the Mile High Marines, he's been an offensive force with .303/.392/.539 (.931 OPS), 91 career home runs and 287 RBIs.  He was AL Rookie of the Year and selected to the All Star team in his debut season.
  5. Brian Rigdon (3B - Oklahoma City Power Failure) - now in his third major league season, his offense has been improving steadily.  With career numbers of .266/.355/.410 (.765 OPS) and 36 home runs at age 23, his power and overall offensive production have been improving each season.  No awards to date.
  6. Luther Lush (RF - Trenton Titans) - now in his fourth major league season, he's put up .270/.348/.373 (.721 OPS) with only 28 home runs in over 1,750 career ABs, which is pretty weak for a corner outfielder.  At age 27, it might be too late for him to live up to the expectations as a top 10 draft pick.  No awards.
  7. Rodney George (RF - San Francisco Oles) - now in his second major league system, both as a member of Colorado Springs, he has struggled in limited action.  In just over 500 career PAs, he's put up numbers of .209/.288/.397 (.685 OPS) with 20 home runs and 56 RBI's.  At age 23, it might still be too early to rule him a first round bust, but he has a lot of work to do to justify his top 10 draft selection.  No awards.
  8. Brandon Doerr (P - Charlotte Moose Hunters / St Louis Owls) - now in his second major league system, he's a reliever out of the Pittsburgh Pandas bullpen.  In 191 IP, he's beel solid with a .236 OAV, 1.18 WHIP and 2.96 ERA.  No awards.
  9. Scotter Blank (P - Washington D.C. Metros) - currently in his rookie season as a member of the Jackson Bootleggers starting rotation, he's been solid in 12 starts with a 5-5 record, .223 OAV, 1.15 WHIP and 3.97 ERA.
  10. Clem Watkins (CF - Jacksonville Seminoles / Atlanta Blue) - now in his third major league season with the Blues, he's been medocre with a .261/.321/.395 (.716 OPS), 36 home runs and 140 RBI in over 1250 ABs.  Combined with sub-par defense in center field, at age 25, he could also be falling into bust-land.

Where Are They Now? - Part 1

With the season 23 amateur draft coming up, I thought it might be fun to take a look back at the first 10 draft picks from 20 and 15 seasons ago to see how those draftees panned out.

Season 3:
  1. Jim Aurelia (P - drafted by Charlotte Minors / Boston Minutemen) - solid career with a 226-135 record and 3.81 career ERA.  Still active as a member of the St. Louis Hill bullpen.  Five All Star selections and one Cy Young Award in his trophy collection.  Should get serious consideration for the HOF upon retirement.
  2. Gene Hayes (P - Jacksonville Seminoles / Atlanta Blue) - long but somewhat mediocre career with a 188-177 career record and 4.31 ERA.  Three All Star selections and one World Series ring.  Still kicking around as a member of the Scranton Apollos pitching staff.
  3. Greg Wolf (CF - St. Louis Perfectos / Oakland Polish Hammers) - solid career with .282/.365/.473 (.838 OPS), with 327 career home runs, 1,297 RBIs and 1,436 runs scored.  Two All Star appearances, three Silver Slugger Awards as a center fielder, and a World Series ring.  Currently being disrepected by being forced to toil in AA in the San Diego Seagull system.
  4. Darryl Morgan (MIF - Toledo Mud Hens / Pittsburgh Pandas) - enjoyed a 12 season major league career, finishing with a respectible .279/.342/.447 (.789 OPS) along with 263 home runs, 1,065 RBIs and 1,144 run scored.  Also stole 282 career bases.  One All Star appearance, a pair of Gold Gloves as a second baseman, a Silver Slugger as a shortstop, and one World Series ring.  Currently owns a moderately successful beer distributorship in his hometown of Greenfield, WI.
  5. Lawrence Brown (2B - Durham Bulls) - spent his entire career as a member of the Durham Bulls.  Carrer numbers of .303/.372/.584 (.956 OPS), with 611 home runs, 1,746 RBIs, 1,543 runs scored.  Six All Star appearances (one All Star Game MVP), and one Silver Slugger as a 2B.  Elected to the Hall of Fame in season 23.
  6. Joel Baldwin (P - Cincinnati Red Stockings / New Britain Blood Brothers) - ten year career, with a 102-80 record and a 4.91 ERA.  No awards, no rings.  Currently works in a tattoo parlor in St. Louis.
  7. Luis Soriano (P - Colorado Prarie Dogs / Albuquerque Roadrunners) - 13 year career, with a 151-158 record and 4.69 ERA.  One All Star appearance, one World Series ring.  Currently attending law school, with the intent of becoming a mass tort litigation lawyer specializing in pharmaceutical cases.
  8. Todd Ward (3B/SS - Anaheim DeadPools / San Diego Seagulls) - unimpressive 4 year career.  .274/.330/.408 (.738 OPS).  One All Star selection.  Left organized baseball to pursue a musical career.  Currently touring Europe with his death metal band, "Toxic Phlegm".
  9. Alex Colon (P - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines) - enjoyed an 8 year career as a reliever for Oklahoma City.  1.34 WHIP and a 4.24 ERA.  No awards, no rings.  Now working as an advanced scout for the Power Failure.
  10. Glenallen Davis (P - Louisville Beaners / Little Rock Cigars) - mediocre 5 year career, with a 52-66 record and 5.84 ERA.  No awards, no rings.  Currently employed as a Subway "sandwich artist" in Covington, KY.
Season 8:
  1. Bill Hewson (3B - Tuscon Plateau / San Diego Seagulls) - has enjoyed what should be a Hall of Fame career with the Mighty Men (now Mini Men).  .305/.370/.562 (.932 OPS), 550 home runs, 1,657 RBIs, 1,300 runs scored.  Six All Star appearances (with one All Star Game MVP), four NL MVP awards, three Gold Gloves at 3B, three Silver Slugger awards at 3B, and one World Series ring he's got the hardware to merit a first-ballot election to the HOF upon retirement.
  2. Sean Mailman (RF - San Juan Crazy Latinos / Pittsburgh Pandas) - now in his twelvth ML season and currently playing with the St. Louis Owls, he's had a solid career.  .275/.347/.513 (.860 OPS), with 393 home runs, 1,123 RBI's and 1,493 run scored.  He's also stolen 472 bases.  Three All Star selections, one AL MVP award, three Silver Sluggers at RF, and two World Series rings.
  3. Kip Sosa (3B/SS - Oklahoma City Power Failure) - 13 major league seasons, all with OKC.  .272/.340/.478 (.818 OPS), with 387 home runs, 1,238 RBIs and 1,157 runs scored.  His only hardware is a Silver Slugger at 3B.  Currently playing out the final year of his contract in AAA for the Power Failure.
  4. Omar Siquieros (1B - Durham Bulls) - currently in his 13th major league season, all as a Bull.  .298/.383/.577 (.960), with 527 home runs, 1,385 RBIs and 1,280 runs scored, he's an offensive machine.  Rookie of the Year, six time All Star, one NL MVP award, two Gold Gloves at 1B, and one Home Run Derby championship.  He should also garner some serious HOF consideration upon retirement.
  5. Scott Hall (RF/CF - Baltimore Blast / New York Pickpockets) - now in his 13th major league season, currently as a member of the Little Rock Cigars.  .286/.364/.536 (.900 OPS) with 250 home runs, 981 RBIs and 1,288 runs scored.  He's also stolen 707 bases in his career.  Three All Star selections, one Gold Glove in RF, three Silver Sluggers (one in RF, two in CF). one Home Run Derby championship, and one World Series ring.
  6. Omar Espinoza (CF/RF - Rochester Rockets / New York Apples) - now in his 10th major league season, currently with the Apples after spending the first half of his ML career in San Diego.  .291/.356/.468 (.824 OPS), with 182 home runs, 687 RBIs and 758 runs scored.  One All Star appearance and one World Series ring.  A solid career to date.
  7. Alex Cortes (2B/CF/RF - New York Metros / Washington D.C. Metros) - now in his 11th major leagues season, he's had a decent but unspectacular career.  .273/.348/.425 (.773 OPS) with 183 home runs, 708 RBIs and 954 runs scored.  One All Star selection and two Silver Sluggers (one at 2B and one at CF).
  8. Dave Heredia (2B - Hartford Hell Cats / Rochester Rochy Road Rochstars) - now in his twelvth major league season, most of which as a member of the Scranton Apollos.  .284/.344/.465 (.809 OPS), with 218 home runs, 819 RBIs and 972 runs scored.  He's also stolen 235 career bases.  One Gold Glove at 2B.
  9. Marco Thompson (C - Tampa Bay Legends / New Britain Blood Brothers) - never signed after coming out of college.  Rumored to have undergone transgender surgery and is now living as "Marcia Thompson", a dental hygienist in Butte, MT.
  10. Juan Fernandez (P - St. Louis Cardinals / St. Louis Owls) - the first pitcher selected in the season 8 draft, he is now in his twelvth major league season, currently a member of the Detroit Tigers rotation.  A mediocre career, with a 125-126 record and 4.16 ERA.  One All Star selection.