Sneak Peak 2016 Draft

Here is an early look at the Heroes 2016 Draft board. Down on many of the SP's in this class.

Write ups from http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-mlb-draft-rankings-april-edition/

1. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Lake Mary HS (FL), Florida State commit Video: Rodgers has been seen a ton, standing out early in his high school career and going to tons of events where he faced top pitching with a wood bat. He developed physically last summer and now has plus bat speed and raw power, though his power plays closer to average in games. He’s an average runner with a plus arm and some scouts see a lack of the loose, flashy actions and say he isn’t a shortstop, but some scouts literally haven’t seen him misplay a ball in dozens of games over the last few years, so that opinion is becoming less popular. He’s struggled at times against crappy prep pitching this spring, but has performed everywhere that matters in a predictive sense and has been hitting for power all spring. He isn’t the strongest #1 pick in recent years, but he’s still the clear choice for me at this point.

2. Alex Bregman, SS, LSU Video: Some scouts see the 6’0/185 Bregman field grounders and say he’s a second baseman. I’ve seen him a lot the last three years and his unique approach to defense–charge everything and never slow down–works for him and I think it’ll work in the big leagues. He has 12-15 homer power in games, advanced feel for contact and average to above speed along with all the gritty makeup stuff you could ask for. He nearly signed out of high school if not for an ACL tear and toyed with the idea of catching then, though that probably won’t happen now.

3. Kyle Tucker, RF, Plant HS (FL), Florida commit: Tucker has one the prettiest swing many scouts have ever seen, with comparisons to Ted Williams, Daryl Strawberry and Ken Griffey, mechanically-speaking. Tucker is 6’4/190 with fringy speed, a solid average arm, plus current raw power and more coming along with the effortless all-fields ease to his swing that scouts are looking for. Some are turned off by Tucker’s low energy approach to the games while others see his confident, laid-back demeanor will allow him to get through the grind of pro ball. Tucker can also get passive at the plate and get opposite-field happy and slap at the ball, but he will also go through stretches where he looks like an unstoppable hitting machine, which has been happening more and more often down the stretch.

4. Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt Video: Swanson was an advanced defender with a light bat in high school, then played second base his first two years at Vanderbilt and over the summers. Scouts got their first recent look at him playing short this spring and it still works. Swanson is a plus runner with fringy raw power and a strong 6’1/190 frame. He’s a contact hitter with more 10-13 homer power that wears out the gaps and would be a nice 6th-10th overall pick most years, but a high probability shortstop with some ceiling is hard to ignore in this draft.

5. Ian Happ, RF, Cincinnati Video: Happ has been moving up and down in the 5-20 range for me all spring. He played shorstop as a freshman and second base two summers ago on the Cape, but has been a corner outfielder since. Some scouts think he can still play second or third and that makes his above average bat and power from both sides of the plate even more attractive.

6. Mike Nikorak, RHP, Stroudsburg HS (PA), Alabama commit Video: Nikorak was a revelation last summer as an unknown who hit 97 mph and flashed a plus curve from a 6’5/220 frame. His velo dipped later in the summer but he worked in a solid average changeup. Nikorak’s velo is back, sitting 93-96 and hitting 98 mph this spring, checking all the boxes for a projection prep arm with limited miles on the odometer.

6. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville Video: Funkhouser has been a plus fastball, above average to plus slider, average changeup, good enough command guy for a couple years, then he took a step forward last week (where the video is from). He sat 93-96 and hit 98 mph with more life and now has that #2/3 starter look if he can keep it up. Funkhouser has a bulldog’s 6’3/225 frame and approach, but had struggled with command at time earlier this spring, so that will be something to watch down the stretch.

7. Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt Video: I’m the high guy on Fulmer, but I think teams are coming around on him. There’s some effort to the delivery, but he’s never been hurt, goes deep in games, has succeeded hugely as a starter and reliever at the highest amateur levels, is hyper-aggressive and strong-bodied. At his best, Fulmer sits 92-96 and hits 97 mph with life, an above average to plus hook and an above average changeup. If the starting thing doesn’t work out, he’s a closer that could be big league ready in no time, where some scouts think his delivery and approach fit best, while other see Sonny Gray. If I’m betting on someone in this draft class to succeed more than the industry consensus, I’m rolling with the dude that’s never failed before, that’s never been hurt before, that has has plus stuff and that has performed everywhere, delivery and height be damned.

8. Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara Video: Tate was a reliever getting into the mid-90’s last spring after a low-profile high school career, then he got famous last summer for Team USA when he hit 99 mph along with a 65 slider, though he tired late in the summer. He was supposed to relieve this year until an injury just before opening day gave him a rotation spot (for the first time in his career) that he hasn’t given up since. He sits in the mid 90’s with heavy life, a plus slider and at least an average changeup. Tate is super loose and athletic but only 6’1 or 6’2 and there’s enough effort to the delivery and general crudeness that some scouts say he’s still a reliever (I don’t), but either way, it’s among the best balls of clay a development staff could receive.

9. Brady Aiken, LHP, IMG Post-Grad (FL) Video: Aiken is a massive question mark at this point. He has that #1 overall ability in him and he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery, so many fans just assume he’ll go from a top 3 pick to a top 10-15 pick and that’s that. There is persistent, consistent and detailed buzz coming from many sources that there is more to Aiken’s injury than just a clean surgery like Erick Fedde, Jeff Hoffman or Lucas Giolito from recent years

10. Daz Cameron, CF, Eagle’s Landing Christian HS (GA), Florida State commit Video: Son of Mike Cameron was hyped early in his high school career as a potential 1-1 but hasn’t made the expected progress since then. He’s an above average to plus runner with the same kind of bat speed and average raw power, but the game performances were only okay over the summer and he’s facing weak competition this spring. He could easily go in the top 5-10 picks, but some teams don’t like him in the top 20.

2015 CPL Draft Hero Edition

Here is the 2015 Kelly's Heroes draft

(where they were at on my board)

1st rd #2 2B Yoan Moncada (#1)
1st rd #10 SP Tyler Kolek (#7) made me very happy to get him
1st rd  #11 OF Michael Conforto (#9)
1st rd #13 OF Bradley Zimmer (#10)
1st rd #14 2B Forrest Wall (#13)
2nd rd #18 3B gilbert Lara (#16)
2nd rd #30 SP Reyneldo Lopez (#19)
2nd rd #31 SP Kyle Freeland (#23)
3rd rd #34 OF Derek Fisher (#29) a lot of arms a liked at this point
4th rd #50 SP Jack Flaherty (#26) was the next highest guy on my board at #34 pick
5th rd #65 1B AJ Reed (#40)
8th rd #125 3B Alex Rodriguez (nope he does well and I can trade him for more then a 8th rd)
9th rd #130 SP Zach Davies (#81)
9th rd #139 SP Scott Blewett (#93)
9th rd #141 SP Justin Steele (#96)
10th rd #155 C James McCann (#99)

Sup1 OF Ichiro Suzuki (fill out something on the MLB team, trade chip)
Sup2 2B Alex Yarbrough (may not make the team, depends if he makes LAA's team)
Sup3 SP Anderson Espinoza (Top J2 arm in 2014)
Sup4 RP Tommy Hunter (was the top set up guy in the draft)
Sup5 OF Delmon Young  (fill out something on the MLB team, trade chip)

7th Trade of the Offseason

Heroes Gets
1st rd #1
1st rd #11

Brob Gets
1st rd #4
1st rd #6
1st rd #7

First major trade of the off-season for the Heroes. I really wanted two players in this draft and while there was a chance to get them at #2 and #4 I really like my chances at #1 and #2. I still feel good with where I am at in the 1st rd otherwise as well (that is easy to do with 10 1st rd picks) Heroes still own 1, 2, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 in the 1st rd.

The Heroes 2014 CPL Draft.

1st rd #8 SP Mark Appel, if non of the top bats were going to slip I was really hoping for Appel to be there at #8. I like the combo of major league readiness along with #2 ceiling. We see a trend of top picks in the MLB Draft sliding in the CPL draft when that player is a college pitcher David Price #3, Gerrit Cole #11 and now Appel #8.

*** 1st rd #12 This was the best move I made on the draft day, trading down to #32 and getting OF Raimel Tapia who the Heroes front office was working on getting all of season. Tapia may have been a 1st rd had he been in the draft, valued just above the #20 selection Ramirez.

1st rd #16 SS Tim Anderson, somewhat raw but with huge upside. Brent Sayne of BP rated him as the #9 prospect in our draft.

2nd rd #19 OF Phil Ervin, Good all around tools, college bat. Not looking at a future star with this pick just someone who could help a team in a 16 team league.

2nd rd #20 OF Harold Ramirez, #1 player from the NYP league on BA, draws comps to cross between fellow Pit OF's Polanco and Marte. But a little bit of reach stills a ways a way.

2nd rd #21 3B Rafael Devers, Highest IFA drafted ever by the Heroes, really wanted this player and could not wait to make him a Hero. Boom or bust we will see, but when you have so many picks you have to grab some upside.

2nd rd #22 SP Sean Manaea, Very happy to land him at #22. After trading out of pick #5 got 2 picks that yielded Appel and Manaea. Had he not had injury to his hip last spring may have been the #2 pick overall.

2nd rd #24 OF Hunter Renfroe, not a big fan, but too good there to pass up, flipped hours after the draft for 2nd rd in 2015 and 4th rd 2016

2nd rd #32 Sp Alex Gonzalzes, one of the better Texas prospects and safe college arm, should move fast. Had a chance to draft some riskier SP's here but went close and safer on the thought that the Heroes already have a ton of young arms and need some guys that will move quick, as well as the thought there was several high upsdie IFA types the Heroes wanted later.

4th rd #54 SS Serigo Alcantara, a bit of reach at this spot but is a guy the Heroes had strongly considered in the 2nd rd at #32. Many scouts see a lot of the the same tools that Profar had at that age. Long shot but like the upside here.

4th rd #60 SP Marcus Diplan, high high upside, maybe the best IFA SP in the draft this year.

6th rd #86 SP Ricardo Sanchez, see Diplan above, maybe the 2nd best IFA SP in the draft this year.

6th rd #94 2B Ryan Flaherty, major league depth guy

7th rd #105 OF Reydel Medina, big sleeper, tons of tools, PArks ranked him Cin's top 10

7th rd #106 SP Mark Buehrle, welcome back for the 3rd time, major league depth, lock yearly to get 200Inn

7th rd #110 RP Danny Farquhar, one of the better set up guys in mlb, could get saves at some point

7th rd #111 SS Marten Gasparini, best player to come from Europe ever? Total wildcard, worth a risk in round 7

8th rd #121 1B/3B Casey McGehee, mlb depth, has a Starting gig

8th rd #128 OF Jacob Hanneman, a project with big tools, last guy that was cut at the plus one deadline.

9th rd #130 3B Mark Reynolds, mlb depth, won a job with Mil

9th rd #137 RP RJ Alvarez, really good RP prospect, traded with a package for a 4th rd 2016

Sup rd 1 SP Ben Lively, sleeper from the last draft, has looked really good so far. Traded with a package for a 4th rd 2016

Sup rd 2 RP Yoervis Medina, setup guy with a K per Inn. Made the opening day roster

Sup rd 3 SP Hunter Green, top pick from the 2013 MLB draft for LAA, Traded with a package for a 4th rd 2016

Sup rd 4 RP Nick Vincent, setup guy with a K per Inn. Made the opening day roster

Sup rd 5 1B/OF Jesus Guzman, did not win a job during Spring for Hou and then cut by Heroes.

2012 Draft Grades 2 years Out

With no 1st rd or 3rd round picks this draft was one of the Heroes best ever.

2nd Round
27th SP Sonny Gray B looking like number 3 pitcher

31st SP Robert Stephenson A STUD, top 15 prospect this year and talk of being the best pitcher int he minors at some point next year.

4th Round
50th SP Jose Fernandez A++ best 20 year old pitcher since Gooden... he is good.

52nd OF Carlos Tocci C- was the youngest player to play in low A from start to finish, but stats sucked

5th Round
70th SP Drew Smyle B solid major league career going but nothing to write home about, but still solid value in the 5th rd

77th SP Kyle Crick A- top 50 propect considered by many after the 2013 season.

6th Round
81st RP Jim Johnson A MLB leader in saves over the last 2 years

86th SP Dillon Maples B-

7th Round
89th 3B B.A. Vollmuth D nothing will come of him at this point

8th Round
96th SP Brenny Paulino D What I said at the draft "could be a boom or bust pick, tons of K upside with this pick, Klaw has him as a huge sleeper and may crack top 100 next year if he can look good at a higher level." He busted got hurt missed 2 seasons now.

Sup Picks
SP Parker Bridwell D god awful 2012 and blah 2013

C AJ Ellis (-) needed a back up Catcher that is a starter in the MLB's, was a top 16 catcher in 2012 and a top 20 in 2013

SS Nikko Goodrum C still a prospect just not one on my team

2B Ryan Brett C+ is a hitter and maybe future player in the MLB

Draft Grades for 2013 Draft after one year

Kelly's Heroes
2 Courtney Hawkins C- should huge power but K rate out of control. Should have drafted Wacha.
3 Chris Stratton B- had a soild year and has a chance to a middle of the rotation starter.
3 Jesse Winker B+ Nice value in the 3rd round looking like a top 100 prospect.
3 Brandon Maurer B Made the rotation out of spring training and was traded for a 2015 1st rd pick, but bombed while in the majors this year.
3 Hiroyuki Nakajima F One of the worst picks in Hero history.
3 Mitch Brown D Still young and showed some flash but hada brutal first season
4 Amed Rosario A- #1 in the Appy league and may have star potenial
4 Lance Berkman B- Flipped for a 3rd rounder in 2014 so nive value
7 Alberto Tirado B A guy worth keeping an eye on, stock on the rise has chance to be a 100 guy in 2015
7 Jose Veras B Any time you pull a closer out of the 7th round you did ok
8 Steve Delabar B one of the better strikeout RP in the majors
8 Steven Piscotty B not a huge fan but had a good season and stock is up, was traded at the deadline
10 Matt Dominguez A Pulling a 24 year old major league player out of the 10th round who hit 24 HR is win reguardless of anything else.
10 Brandon Kline D+ Looked rough and then got hurt
10 Jimmy Nelson A- will be top 3 in Mil and maybe top 100 this year
S Steve Johnson D- did not make the team out of camp
S Tyler Greene D- did not make the team out of camp
S Luis Torrens C+ the 17 year old was one of the top 10 in his league skipped the DSL
S Tim Federowicz D- did not make the team out of camp
S Pat Light D+ still a prospect but did not make the Heroes out of camp

Worst Pick in Heroes History... EVER

Good Thing I spent the 6th overall pick on this loser...

Tampa Bay Rays have suspended prospect Josh Sale, their 2010 first-round draft pick, indefinitely for "conduct detrimental to organization," according to the team.

That's fancy talk for "acting like an idiot and making everyone affiliated with you look bad. Sale, who just finished serving a 50-game suspension after testing positive for methamphetamine and an amphetamine, was caught bragging on Facebook about acting unruly at a strip club.

2013 Kelly's Heores draft

	Kelly's Heroes
2	Courtney Hawkins
3	Chris Stratton
3	Jesse Winker
3	Brandon Maurer
3	Hiroyuki Nakajima
3	Mitch Brown
4	Amed Rosario
4	Lance Berkman
7	Alberto Tirado
7	Jose Veras
8	Steve Delabar
8	Steven Piscotty
10	Matt Dominguez
10	Brandon Kline
10	Jimmy Nelson
S	Steve Johnson
S	Tyler Greene
S	Luis Torrens
S	Tim Federowicz
S	Pat Light

2012 Draft

After Draft Thoughts: Overall happy with the guys I got, would have like a better mix of hitter and pitchers but hitters were flying off the draft board and as a team we try to draft close to draft board. Aslo happy to pick up a 3rd rd pic in next years draf during a trade down. (What spot they were on my predraft board)

2nd Round
27th SP Sonny Gray (16) Always happy to get 1st round talant in the end of the 2nd round. Really wanted SS Trevor Story but was taken 1 pick higher.

31st SP Robert Stephenson (28) Has the tools to the next Shelby Miller

4th Round
50th SP Jose Fernandez (36) Had I stayed in the early part of the 3rd round may have picked him anyways.

52nd OF Carlos Tocci (48) 16 year old kid but lots of upsides one of the few big gambles in my 2012 draft.

5th Round
70th SP Drew Smyle (38) hard to believe this guy made it to the 5th round, made a handful of top 100 list, plus has already pitch well in the minor leagues.

77th SP Kyle Crick (47) BA's book compared him to Matt Cain, before that had him as a sleeper on my draft board.

6th Round
81st RP Jim Johnson (32) Even though I had him ranked as a 2nd round pick, was not in a hurry to lock in another closer but fell so far had to snag him.

86th SP Dillon Maples (49) Cubs gave the 14th rounder mid 1st round money 2.5m that was good enough for me at this pick.

7th Round
89th 3B B.A. Vollmuth (67) skipped a head a few guys just on the fact I wanted to draft a little bit of pos players in this draft.

8th Round
96th SP Brenny Paulino (64) could be a boom or bust pick, tons of K upside with this pick, Klaw has him as a huge sleeper and may crack top 100 next year if he can look good at a higher level.

Sup Picks
SP Parker Bridwell (53) a guy that I didn't love on the day of the draft but did have pretty high. Still raw has huge upside.

C AJ Ellis (-) needed a back up Catcher that is a starter.

SS Nikko Goodrum (69)could not believe was cut during FADZ

2B Ryan Brett (76) has hit over .300 ever year in the minors.

A look back at the 2009 draft

2nd rd 32nd overall, 2B Reese Havens, grade C+: Still a good prospect when he is healthy which is rarely. Chance to be starting 2B for the Mets in 2012.

4th rd 50th overall, OF Aaron Cunningham, Grade C-: Made the BA top 100 list in 2009, was traded off the team in the large Brandon Webb mugging. made the big leagues.

4th rd 62nd overall, SP Michael Main, Grade F: Bust, was traded before he lost all value.

5th rd 69th overall, RP Frank Francisco, Grade B-: Has a few years as a closer though often injured.

5th rd 72nd overall, SP Wil Smith, Grade D+: Rocketed all the way to AA as a 20 year old in the LAA system, took 2 more years to move AAA and now looking like he may not taste the majors.

6th rd 89th overall, 3B lonnie Chisenhall, A-: Great pick here, made his MLB debut this last year also made everyone's top 100 and made some top 25 list.

7th rd 105 overall, OF Shin-Soo Choo, Grade A: Has made the majors and has already top together 1 great year. In 2010 ranked in the top 25 overall players on player rater.

7th rd 111th overall, 2B Felipe Lopez, Grade B: In 2009 was member of the 200 win Kelly's Heroes, then was traded for a 2nd rd pick the fellowing year.

8th rd 117th overall, 2B Johnny Giavoltella, Grade B: Looks to the starting 2B for KC in 2012. Took longer to reach the major then I would have thought when drafted, but still great value in the 8th round.

8th rd 121st overall, RP Jenson Lewis, Grade D+: Drafted for chance he would close for the cleveland at some point, but it never happened, below avg RP now.

9th rd 137th overall, RP Jason Motte, Grade B-: Now closer for STL! Took a long bumby road to get there, but had a few good seasons as well as a setup man along the way.

10th rd 145th overall, SS Cesar Isturis, Grade C-: Depth pick but now much to right home about, spent parts of 2 seasons on the active roster but did not play in very many games.

10th rd 153rd overall, SP Trevor Reckling, Grade C-: Looked like a steal for a while his early return was high and was half of the package used to trade for Chris Carpenter and Gavin Flyod. May not be a major league pitcher.

11th rd 169th overall, OF Drew Stubbs, Grade A: Pulled a gem out of the 11th round is always nice. Has been a top 100 Fantasy Player the past few years, shouldn't have traded him for 3B Casey Blake.

12th rd 185th overall, RP Carlos Gutierez, Grade C-: High up side arm that may still make it as a RP, kinda of flamed out, traded 2 months after drafting him.

13th rd 201st overall, 3B Joe Mather, Grade D-: Had a chance to win the job in spring training and did for a short while, did not stick maybe out of baseball today?

14th rd 217th overall, 3B Austin Gallagher, Grade D: Bust, could not handle more advanced pitching.

15th rd 233rd overall, RP Koji Uuhara, Grade C: Has been an ok RP in the majors after coming over from Japan. Had some time at closer as well.

16th rd 249th overall, 2B Mark Halberg, Grade D: nothing of Value came from this pick. SP Manny Banuelos was two 2 picks later.

17th rd 265th overall, 3B Wilson Betemit, Grade C-: Depth pick has had a few ok season as part time starter in MLB.

18th rd 281st overall, 3B Jarek Cunningham, Grade C, missed all of 2009 season, still owned in the CPL as of today.

19th rd 297th overall, OF Robbie Grossman, Grade C+, slow start to career, may get redrafted in 2012 draft. walked over 100 times in 2011.

20th rd 313th overall, SP Stolmy Pimintal, Grade C+, for a 20th rd pick wasn't bad, for a few year hung around just outside the top 100, made a nice trade peice.

2011 Draft Early Returns

1. (6th) OF Josh Sale, has not played yet, grade NA

1. (7th) SP Zach Lee, 6s 3-0 30.2inn 28k's 1.17era .237avga, grade A+

1. (10th) SP Carlos Matinrez, just made 1st start of the season this weekend 4inn 0h 1BB 6k's, Grade B+

2. (19th) SP Anthony Ranaudo, 6s, 2-1, 27.1Inn, 30k's, 2.32era, .176avga, Grade A-

2. (20th) SS Adeiny Hechavarria, .216svg 1HR 8Steals, Grade D-

2. (32nd) SP Stetson Allie, Has not pitched yet Grade NA

3. (38th) OF Jake Skole, .250 1HR 5steals Grade C-

3. (43rd) SP Carlos Perez, 6s, 32inn, 34k's, 5.06era, Grade B- (has pitch better then era would make you think)

4. (51st) OF Guillermo Pimentel, has yet to play in 2011 Grade NA

4. (52nd) SP Alex Wimmers, injured after 0.0 inn and 3 earned runs Grade NA

4. (59th) SS Esteilion Peguero, has yet to play Grade NA

4. (60th) RP Brandon League, at the MLB level 2.08era .85whip 9svs Grade A-

7. (101st) OF Ryan Raburn, at MLB level .237avg 4HR 14RBI Grade C

8. (117st) 3B Renato Nunez, Has not played in 2011 Grade NA

Heroes 2011 Draft Recap

1. (6th) OF Josh Sale, ranked 5th on the Heroes board was the long time target of the team. Hopefuly will move to 1B and be the term option for both the Rays and the Heroes for years to come. One of the only true 30+ HR threats in this draft: Grade A-

1. (7th) SP Zach Lee, ranked 7th on the Heroes big board. Has nearly as much upside as picher not named Tailon. Would be top 10 pick in MLB if other teams knew they could sign him: Grade B+

1. (10th) SP Carlos Matinrez, ranked 8th on the Heroes big board. Best fastball in the draft and one of the best fastballs in the minors. He was the reach but had to have player in the Heroes mind. Grade C+ (based on the fact it was a little bit of a reach in a deep SP year)

2. (19th) SP Anthony Ranaudo, ranked 9th on the Heroes big board. Maybe one of the biggest steals of the first two rounds. Ranked every where as a top 100 player and some right around top 50. If pitches the way he did in the cap cod league he'll be top 25 next year. Grade A

2. (20th) SS Adeiny Hechavarria, ranked 18th the Heroes big board. Wasn't the best player left at the time, but a forsure SS that reached AA in his first minor league season and first year in the country not bad. Also recieved 8 figure signing bonus with the Jay's. Grade B

2. (32nd) SP Stetson Allie, ranked 16th on the Heroes board. If Ranaudo was not the biggest steal in the draft Allie might wind up being. Many thought could be a top 16 pick in the draftand to get number 32 was nice. Really raw but has pure stuff the can match Tailon's. Grade A+

3. (38th) OF Jake Skole, ranked 26th on the Heroes big board. With really good tools across the board will he be another Trout or Pollack? Only time will tell, he wasn't the highest player left on the board but was the highest hitter left. Grade C+

3. (43rd) SP Carlos Perez, ranked 23on the Heroes board. With in the last month the Heroes had considered him at pick 20. He was the 2nd player the HEroes had to have behind Martinez. Grade A-

4. (51st) OF Guillermo Pimentel, ranked 30th on the Heroes board. Huge raw power

4. (52nd) SP Alex Wimmers, ranked 28th on the Heroes big board. Safe pick

4. (59th) SS Esteilion Peguero, ranked 39th on the Heroes big board, jewel of the 2010 inter national hitters.

4. (60th) RP Brandon League, handcuff for Ardsma, planned on taking him there for a long time.

7. (101st) OF Ryan Raburn, major league depth should hit 20 HR this season.

8. (117st) 3B Renato Nunez, ranked 50th on the Heroes big board. Team loves his huge tools and big bonus.

Sup 2B/3B Jayson Nix, will open the Heroes 2011 active roster.

Overall grade B+
Could not be happier with the players the team added. Only draw back alot of young guys a few years away from the majors. This grade could change alot over the next few years. But never in a draft have I walked away this happy.

Rem's Mock Draft

In Rem's lastest mock draft the Heros were getting a very nice haul.

6th pick Zach Lee
7th Chris Sale
10th Michael Choice

Nice mix of 1 collage bat, 1 collage arm and one 1high up side H.S. kid

2008 Redraft for the Kelly's Heros

Knowing what I know now what would have the Heros 2008 draft look like? Here is what it maybe have looked like:

3rd rd (27) SP Mat Latos, one of the best picks in the draft anyways I'll keep that one. Has become a front line SP. Was traded in the deal taht netted SP Chris Carpenter. (drafted 3rd 27th)

3rd rd (28)SP Brett Anderson, top line starter, ranked 24th among starters in my new baseball mag. If healthy for the full season will be the ace of the Heros this season. (drafted 4th rd 46th)

4th rd (43) SP Jeremy Hellickson, one of the very top pitching prospects entering the 2011 season. (drafted 5th rd 52th)

5th rd (54)SS/2B Asdrubal Cabrera, I'll take this pick the way it was. Turned into a starting middle infielder at the major league level. Worthy of being picked in the 5th round. (drafted 5th rd 54th)

5th rd (55) SS Alexi Ramirez, picked one spot after, has been a top 10 SS for the last 3 years. (drafted 5th 56th)

6th rd (65) OF Ryan Kalish, a sound pick looking back at it, but the Heros did not take there time and after an injury plagued year Kalish was released. In 2010 he was a 2nd rd pick in the CPL. (drafted 6th rd 65th)

6th rd (67) SP Brett Cecil, a very good rookie year in 2010, would be a solid player in any staff. (drafted 7th rd 73rd)

7th rd (76) SP/RP CJ Wilson, Leave this pick he was nice pick at this spot. Won the closer job in 2008, then last year was one of the better left handed SP out there. Lost CJ Wilson in the exp draft. (drafted 7th rd 76th)

7th rd (77) RP Daniel Bard, future closer? Well he already is a great set up man nice player to have in the pen. (7th rd 79th)

7th rd (78) RP Chris Perez, he is the Indians closer coming off a great year. (drafted 9th rd 97th overall)

8th rd (85) SS Alcides Escobar, while as a pro dosn't seem to be a super stud he was a very high ranked prospect and would have bee n a great chip. (drafted 8th 90th)

8th rd (86) SP Tommy Hanson, one of the best prospects never to be drafted in the CPL, now an ace at the major league level (undrafted)

10th rd (100) RP Neftali Feliz, set a rookie record for saves in 2010, looks to a top 10 closer for the next 10 years. C Devin Mescaro, was a good pick there but Feliz is already elite. (drafted 10th 102nd)

Lol its fun to look back and see what may have been :)

A look back at the 2008 draft

The Heros did not pick in the 1st or 2nd round of the draft but still came away with many talented players. Lack of patients costed the Heros some find talent that just took an extra year to get on track.

3rd rd (27) SP Mat Latos, one of the best picks in the draft, has become a front line SP. Was traded in the deal taht netted SP Chris Carpenter.

3rd rd (28)SP Hirki Kuroda, has a been a solid SP at the major leagues ever since being drafted. Was traded for a 4th rd pick in 2009 draft.

4th rd (43) 1B/OF Steven Pearce, not much came out of this player. Was traded before the season in the deal that got the Hero 2b Dustin Pedrioa. HAs been own by a few CPL teams since being traded.

5th rd (54)SS/2B Asdrubal Cabrera, turned into a starting middle infielder at the major league level. Worthy of being picked in the 5th round.

5th rd (55) 3B Billy Rowell, the 2nd time the team wasted a draft choice on Rowell, the former 6th overall MLB draft pick has done nothing to live up to the 6th overall.

6th rd (65) OF Ryan Kalish, a sound pick looking back at it, but the Heros did not take there time and after an injury plagued year Kalish was released. In 2010 wasa 2nd rd pick in the CPL.

6th rd (67) SP Kyle Kendrick, below avarage major league SP, was released outright after 2 month campain to trade him.

7th rd (76) SP/RP CJ Wilson, was nice pick at this spot. Won the closer job in 2008, then last year was one of the better left handed SP out there. Lost CJ Wilson in the exp draft.

7th rd (77) OF Gerrardo Parra, while he has done little since becoming a major league player, he did make BA top 100 in 2009 and was traded to Fred's team in the Brandon Webb trade.

7th rd (78) RP Masahide Kobiyashi, bad pick played 2 poor season in the majors and went home to Japan. RP Daniel Bard was the next player, that would have been nice.

8th rd (85) C John Jaso, has turned into a good to avarage MLB player but was cut before the end of the 2008 season. OPening starting C for the Rolling Goats?

8th rd (86) SP Chorye Spoon, who? Was a sleeper coming into that season, not sure if he is still in baseball at this point or not.

10th rd (100) C Devin Mescaro, was cut before the year was out and like Kalish it took year (in Devin case 2 years) to payout. Going to the 2011 season Devin is a top 50 overall prospect.

In all there was 13 picks made by the Heros and of which 5 where flops. The other 8 were at least good picks in the round that they were taken. Latos was the rown jewel of the draft for the Heros and would a top 6 overall pick if we redrafted today. With no high round draft pick this draft value was much more then the picks that were used overall draft Grade: B

Zach Lee

The Kelly's Heroes have 3 picks in the top 10 in the upcoming CPL draft. With the top 4 picks locks in draft we have a good idea who will be left when the Heros pick at 6th, 7th and 10th.

The Heroes are looking at Lee with either the 7th or 10th overall. Now that he picked baseball and signed for over $5 million he could be an 1 or 2 a starter in the future.

Lee is a star quarterback who has committed to LSU to play both football and baseball, but if he put word out tomorrow that he was willing to sign and focus exclusively on the world's greatest sport, he'd go off the board in the top 50 picks next month.

Lee will show three pitches, with the changeup already flashing plus, and his fastball velocity is likely to increase as he fills out and if he dedicates himself to baseball.

He has a really bright future if and when he chooses baseball, but if he's not interested in a pro career now, doesn't that say something about the kid's commitment to football and/or school? Buying him out of LSU isn't the solution, and I think he'll be a top-20 guy in 2013.

Drew Pomeranz

The Kelly's Heroes have 3 picks in the top 10 in the upcoming CPL draft. With the top 4 picks locks in draft we have a good idea who will be left when the Heros pick at 6th, 7th and 10th.

The Heroes are looking at Pomeranz with either the 7th or 10th overall. Worry that he may be a thrower then a pitcher. But upside of an #1 or #2

Drew Pomeranz, lhp Born: Nov. 22, 1988 • B-T: R-L • Ht: 6-5 • Wt: 230 Drafted: Mississippi 2010 (1st round) • Signed by: Chuck Bartlett


Background: The younger brother of Cardinals 2003 third-round pick Stu Pomeranz, Drew almost signed with the Rangers out of high school as a 12th-rounder in 2007. He set the career strikeout record at Mississippi and was the 2010 Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year despite having to deal with a mild pectoral strain in May. He recovered to become the first college pitcher drafted in 2010, going No. 5 overall and signing for $2.65 million at the Aug. 16 deadline.

Scouting Report: Pomeranz has two plus pitches in his fastball and curveball. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 95 mph. It has good life and the deception in his delivery makes it tough to track the ball out of his hand. His breaking ball is even more devastating, a knuckle-curve with hard 12-to-6 action. Pomeranz dominated college lineups when he threw his curve for strikes, though he still must to corral his control after walking 4.4 batters per nine innings as a junior. He has flashed a solid-average changeup at times and will need to use it more as a pro.

The Future: Pomeranz could follow the path of 2009 first-rounder Alex White, debuting in high Class A with the chance for a quick promotion to Double-A. He could be in Cleveland by 2012, profiling as a frontline starter if he improves his changeup, control and command.

Chris Sale

The Kelly's Heroes have 3 picks in the top 10 in the upcoming CPL draft. With the top 4 picks locks in draft we have a good idea who will be left when the Heros pick at 6th, 7th and 10th.

The Heroes are looking at Sale with either the 7th or 10th overall. Worry that he may be a RP but if that happens will be a closer on the upside. #1 CHW prospect.

1. Chris Sale, lhp Born: March 30, 1989 • B-T: L-L • Ht: 6-6 • Wt: 172 Drafted: Florida Gulf Coast, 2010 (1st round) • Signed by: Joe Siers

Background: Sale not only became the first player from the 2010 draft to reach the big leagues, but he also overpowered the likes of Joe Mauer and Jim Thome and finished the season closing games for a contender. His quick rise couldn't have been forseen when he came out of Lakeland (Fla.) High. The Rockies selected him in the 21st round of the 2007 draft, but he failed to attract interest from Florida's college powers and wound up at Florida Gulf Coast, which started its program in 2003. He got off to a rough start, with an awful fall ball season where his only usable pitch was his changeup. He worked out of the bullpen as a freshman, then lowered his arm slot that summer and improved the velocity and life on his pitches. He exploded as a prospect by ranking as the top talent in the summer Cape Cod League after his sophomore season, then went 11-0, 2.01 with 146 strikeouts in 103 innings last spring. Some clubs rated him as the best college pitching prospect in the 2010 draft, but teams also worried about his asking price, making him available to Chicago with the No. 13 overall pick. The White Sox adhere to MLB's bonus guidelines more than any club, and they signed Sale for the slot recommendation of $1.656 million—along with the promise that he'd get every opportunity to race through the minors. He made his big league debut on Aug. 6, faster than any draftee since the Reds' Ryan Wagner in 2003.

Scouting Report: Sale has the stuff and lanky build to be a facsimile of future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, throwing three plus pitches from a low three-quarters delivery. His fastball ranged from 90-95 mph with outstanding late life when he worked as a starter in college, and he averaged 96 mph coming out of the bullpen in the majors. He hit 100 mph three times in one game against the Royals. Chicago considered his changeup his best pitch when it drafted him—GM Ken Williams compares it to Mark Buehrle's—but he didn't use it much while working out of the bullpen. Sale used his slider more as a reliever, and it also played up, sitting in the high 80s and topping out at 90. That was important as his slider was questioned coming into the draft. His command is solid, though his arm angle leads to times when he doesn't stay on top of his pitches and leaves them up in the zone. Sale is unusually poised, capable of making adjustments on the fly and pitching out of trouble. It would have been understandable if he had arrived wide-eyed in the big leagues, but like a young Buehrle, he seemed oblivious of his surroundings. Some scouts wonder how durable Sale will be because of his skinny frame, arm action and low slot. He has no history of arm problems, however.

The Future: Despite his immediate impact on their bullpen, the White Sox plan on developing Sale as a starter. He'll get the chance to make their rotation out of spring training, though it's more realistic to expect him to open the season at Triple-A Charlotte. If he stays healthy, he has the stuff to be a frontline starter or a closer.

Michael Choice

The Kelly's Heroes have 3 picks in the top 10 in the upcoming CPL draft. With the top 4 picks locks in draft we have a good idea who will be left when the Heros pick at 6th, 7th and 10th.



The Heroes are looking at OF Michael Choice with either the 7th or 10th pick? Need to see more on him, we like the fax he was a college guy and srushed it in he's small amount of minor league time he got after signing.



Michael Choice, of Born: Nov. 10, 1989 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-0 • Wt: 215
Drafted: Texas-Arlington, 2010 (1st round) • Signed by: Armann Brown
Background: After batting .413 as a sophomore, Choice hit .383 as a junior in 2010 to win the Southland Conference batting title. He also led NCAA Division I with 76 walks and set Texas-Arlington's career home run record with 34. He passed Hunter Pence as the highest-drafted player in school history when the A's took him 10th overall, and he signed for a slightly over-slot $2 million in late July.
Scouting Report: Choice generates plenty of leverage and bat speed, giving him raw power that rates a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. Oakland believes he can hit for a solid average as well, but his swing is unorthodox with a lot of moving parts. Scouts worry about his swing plane and believe he could be prone to high strikeout totals. Choice played center field in his pro debut and has enough speed to possibly stick there for the time being. He needs to clean up his routes on fly balls and probably will end up on a corner in the long run, with his arm strength fitting better in left field than right.
The Future: Choice's swing has worked thus far, so the A's aren't going to touch it yet. He could be in for a big offensive year as he heads to the hitter-friendly California League to start his first full season.

Josh Sale

The Kelly's Heroes have 3 picks in the top 10 in the upcoming CPL draft. With the top 4 picks locks in draft we have a good idea who will be left when the Heros pick at 6th, 7th and 10th.



The Heroes are leaning on drafting Josh Sale right now with th 6th or 7th overall




Josh Sale BA Scouting Report
Drafted: HS—Seattle, 2010 (1st round) • Signed by: Paul Kirsch
Background: Sale had a single-digit handicap in golf, though he swung righthanded. The first player in the history of the Area Code Games to hit for the cycle, Sale was one of the best high school hitters available in the 2010 draft. A Gonzaga recruit, he went 17th overall and signed for $1.62 million at the Aug. 16 deadline. He saw his first pro action in instructional league.
Scouting Report: The top prep power hitter in the 2010 draft, Sale projects as a significant run producer and a corner outfielder. He generates incredible bat speed and shows a great feel for the strike zone while employing a patient approach. He has good present strength, which makes sense considering his father was a competitive natural powerlifter. He also has impressive hand-eye coordination, though he does have a few flaws in his swing, including a high back elbow and an early stride. He has the makeup and work ethic to make those adjustments, and he should be able to do so without compromising his power. His speed, defensive ability and arm strength are all fringy, so while he works hard, he'll probably wind up in left field.
The Future: Sale's offensive prowess gives him the potential to move quickly, though the Rays rarely rush high school signees. Because he signed late, he'll likely make his pro debut at Rookie-level Princeton in June.