2107 Amateur Drafts

[Huckleberry]

ABL Draft Order:

• Puerto Rico Coqui
• Florida Hurricanes
• Mexico City Aztecs
• New York City Empires
• Rio de Janeiro Jaguars
• Buenos Aires Dolphins
• Los Angeles Stars
• Washington Senators
• São Paulo Toucans
• Santo Domingo Palmchats

Draft Pool - Batters
Draft Pool - Pitchers

IBL Draft Order:

• Seoul Crushers
• London Monarchs
• Rome Generals
• Singapore Merlions
• Karachi Falcons
• Mumbai Cobras
• Brisbane Bandits
• Scottish Claymores
• Black Forest Foxes
• Paris Fleur-de-Lis

Draft Pool - Batters
Draft Pool - Pitchers

Draft Settings:

• Timer is set for 3 hours for the 1st and 2nd rounds.
• Timer is set for 2 hours for the 3rd-5th rounds.
• Timer is set for 1 hour after the 5th round.
• Teams are switched to auto-draft if they miss a pick (if the utility uses your list, then it shouldn't switch you to auto).
• Timer is supposed to run from 8:00am to 10:00pm Central, sometimes this feature is a bit wonky.

DRAFT IS NOW LIVE AND TIMER GOES LIVE AT 8:00AM CENTRAL ON TUESDAY 2/21.

Post here if you want me to add your email address to the draft update list. I don't do this automatically for everyone because there are a lot of emails that come through.

[CaseyBlakeDeWitt]

I would like to request emails pertaining to the events of the draft, please and thank you.

[APMP]

Emails please

[capn81]

Please add me as well. 

[Huckleberry]

Both added. Clocks are now live.

[Huckleberry]

ABL First Round Review

#1 - Juan Baca - Puerto Rico Coqui

This was a very good pick for the rebuilding Puerto Rico franchise. Baca, at age 23, is fairly far along in his development and may threaten to get playing with with the big league club this season. While his bat still needs to develop for him to reach his superstar potential he is already a plus defensive catcher. Oh, and for those who didn't notice, Baca is also a major league caliber pitching prospect if his bat never develops. While he may want to be a starter his true value would be as a reliever despite his high stamina as he really only has two pitches unless his changeup develops by leaps and bounds. The only concern is that scouts from around the league have expressed some reservations about his durability and so the word "fragile" had been whispered in front offices throughout the Americas.

#2 - Teodósio Mascarenhas - Buenos Aires (from Florida)

The other superstar catching prospect in the ABL draft this year, Mascarenhas is not the plus defensive catcher that Baca is but offers positional versatility as he has the fielding ratings to develop into a serviceable infielder or corner outfielder as well as a very good first baseman. Shortstop is really the only position that is beyond his fielding abilities. Either way his best value is at catcher but the fact remains that if he ends up in an organization with a logjam behind the plate he should be able to keep his plus bat in the lineup somewhere else.

#3 - Iván López - Mexico City

A great pickup in the third position, the Aztecs faithful have to be excited about picking up perhaps the best all-around prospect in the draft in López. He should be an above average defensive left fielder, is considered to have 0.300 and 30 home run hitting potential along with good plate discipline, and will also generate runs on the basepaths. Contact consistency is the only thing that should prevent him from debuting fairly high in the Mexico City farm system, but we expect to see him in the ABL in 2-3 years.

#4 - Marcos Ruíz - New York City

The top relief prospect in the draft was snagged fourth by the Empires, and while he has two plus-plus pitches this may have been a bit high to take a closer. Ruíz, though, should be a very consistent producer once he reaches the major league level as his nasty sinker should make it very rare that he gives up a game-changing home run in relief. He is a true groundball pitcher. As long as his control develops to its potential he should one day be a long-term solution in the closer role.

#5 - Felício Szenes - Rio de Janeiro

The Jaguars made the very logical choice here in taking the domestic product Szenes. Although a high school lefty, Szenes displays qualities that usually foretell good development. He has 5 pitches which all show major league potential, good stamina, and scouts believe that his control should eventually develop as well. Control, though, is the one concern with this prospect as in pre-draft sessions he did not show the control that is predicted down the road. If he can make the minor mechanical tweaks that he's working on stick then he should more than make this fifth overall pick worth it.

#6 - Héctor Velásquez - Florida (from Buenos Aires)

The Hurricanes picked up my personal favorite kind of baseball player, a guy who puts the ball in play as much as anyone else playing the game. Velásquez won't strike out, he won't walk, and he won't hit many homers, but he will make contact and then pressure the defense with his speed. He also already has the drag bunt as a weapon in his arsenal so he will be an exciting player in Florida for years to come. While this kind of offensive player typically seems like a middle infielder or centerfielder, in truth he seems more likely to man a corner OF spot for his club. While everyone loves prospects before the reality of high-level competition hits, more than a few ABL scouts expressed the belief that he could one day post 200+ hits and 0.350+ averages in the ABL.

#7 - George Brewer - Los Angeles

Brewer represents a similar style of player to Velásquez from the other side of the plate. However, Brewer shows the potential to provide some decent pop in his bat in exchange for a few more strikeouts and a slightly lower average. Scouts are split on his ability to play centerfield at the major league level someday so many people will be watching how he defends in the minors before reaching the show. While he lacks the speed of Velásquez he displays superior defensive instincts which actually generate better range in the outfield. Their similarities and their relative draft position will ensure that these two players are compared to each other for many years.

#8 - Tilmão Tameiro - Washington

Tameiro, like Juan Baca, offers a relief pitching fallback option if he doesn't develop offensively. That shouldn't be necessary, though, as he should provide plus power from a corner outfield position at the ABL level.  Unlike many power hitting corner outfielders, Tameiro shouldn't strike out often for the Senators which means he'll be able to contribute sooner than other similar prospects. While he won't be ready for a few years this was a solid pickup at this spot in the draft for Washington.

#9 - Ricardo Jiménez - São Paulo

The Colombian Jiménez already possesses two major league quality pitches and is working improving his slider. Along with the typical need for control development he should eventually be a solid member of the Toucan rotation down the line. He already shows a good mind for pitching as he is able to effectively use his changeup off of his 95+mph fastball. In a draft class that lacked starting pitching superstars but was pretty deep at the top, Jiménez's changeup helps separate him from the pack.

#10 - Miguel Rivera - Santo Domingo

The Palmchats snagged Rivera with the final pick of the first round after rumors that they were targeting the Dominican Javier Vázquez. Talk radio took some upset callers after the draft pick was announced, but Santo Domingo's front office was tantalized by Rivera's two potentially plus-plus pitches. There remains a lot of work to be done if the circle change is going to reach its potential, though, so there is the danger that Rivera may add his name to the list of disappointing first round pitching picks by the Palmchats (Damon von Vormann, former #1 overall pick Román López).

[Huckleberry]

Please remember traded interleague draft picks as they approach.

London has given me a list for my 2nd round pick, who will be traded to London in exchange for $1 once the draft results are loaded in game when March 2107 rolls around.

[AndyHustle]

Awesome write up, Huck! I may post something when the draft wraps up detailing my selections. Best time of the year!

[Huckleberry]

Per London's list, Enrique Pérez was taken with my 2nd round pick and will be traded to London for $1 when the draft is imported.

[Claybor]

A very nice utility prospect.

[Karachi_GM]

I'll do an IBL first round review tonight (or when the final pick of the round is made)

[Karachi_GM]

I'll do an IBL first round review tonight (or when the final pick of the round is made)

Er, sorry,  Cancel that promise.  Have to leave town suddenly, no time to do anything.

[squaredrive]

Fun write-up Huck - appreciated!

[capn81]

I figured that I might get the reach pick with Ruiz!  Good write ups! 

[Huckleberry]

Per Seoul's request, Francisco Aguilar was taken with Buenos Aires' 5th round pick and will be traded to Seoul for $1 when the draft is imported.

Previously Octávio Rincón was selected with São Paulo's 4th round pick and will be traded to Black Forest for $1 when the draft is imported.

That wraps up the 2107 interleague draft trades unless one of the next two ABL picks or a pick from the next two IBL rounds is traded here real quick.

[Karachi_GM]

Analysis: First Round of the IBL Draft

by Hasan Khan, Sports Editor (Karachi Dawn)
January 10, 2107

Seoul Crushers
Huo-tu 'Walrus' Cheng
A 19-year-old from Shanghai, China, Cheng seems a perfect choice for the number one pick.  His repertoire includes an amazing six pitches (fastball, slider, curve, changeup, forkball, and a newly developed circle change) that scouts seem to think will all become major league quality.  He will strike out a lot of batters and should develop excellent control over time.  His stamina is rated outstanding.  At 6’4” tall, he is an imposing presence on the mound.   He does have weak points: his defense is not what it should be and he has a great deal of trouble holding runners on the bases.  As an amateur this past season he was 13-0 with 238 strikeouts and only 18 walks while allowing just 70 hits in 130+ innings.

London Monarchs
Ululani 'Moose' Kapona
Age 20 from Indonesia, “Moose” seems an odd nickname for someone just barely 6’ tall, but Kapona has plenty of upside potential for London.  He throws three pitches (slider, changeup, and sinker) equally effectively, and he too will strike out plenty of opponents.  He has many of the qualities one would hope for in a starter (including stamina and defense), but critics point to troubles holding runners at their base and the lack of a fourth pitch as downsides.

Rome Generals
Wei-kang 'Twig' Ping
“Twig” is 19-year-old and from Nanjing, China where he was often compared to top choice Cheng.  He has four pitches in his arsenal (fastball, cutter, slider, and splitter).  All his pitches should be effective in the big leagues, and he will develop excellent stuff, movement, and control.  He has plenty of stamina but like other top picks, he needs to work on holding runner as well as on his defense.  He can bring it home at about 94 miles-per-hour, slightly below the velocity of the top two picks.

Singapore Merlions
Saud 'Peanut' Naji
A 19-year-old from unlikely Algeria, Naji seems to reverse the tendency of teams to choose pitchers from a pitcher-centric draft pool.   Indeed, Naji is listed as a catcher with excellent offensive ratings for contact, power, and eye.  But he is mediocre defensively and is even slower than one would like for a young backstop.  In the long run, he may end throwing to some other catcher because he can pitch too!  While he doesn’t have great velocity, he can throw three pitches effectively, and his stuff, movement, and control should all dveleop to major league quality.  At this point it is unknown what direction Singapore will take with this multi-talented pick.

Karachi Falcons
Ishtaq Farooqi
While initially inclined to seek a position player, Kararchi went with the flow and selected a pitcher as their top choice.  He has four pitches (fastball, curve, slider, and changeup – a nice combination), and he has stamina and the ability to hold runners on their base.  Karachi likes the fact that the citizen of Bengladesh is a southpaw and that he is among the older players in the draft at 22.

Mumbai Cobras
Karidenna Jelani
Jelani, a 20-year-old Zambian, projects to be a solid major league rotation pitcher with four pitches assuming his new changeup develops fully.  He’s got excellent stamina and exhibits the fairly common trait of needed to improve his skills in holding runners on base.

Brisbane Bandits
Jeman Maruti
He’s another starting pitcher (age 21 from India) that we grade just a tick in quality below those chosen above him.  He has four pitches but scouts question whether his slider will measure up in the big leagues.  He’s got the stamina to start and runners do not run on him, but he may end up being a bullpen pitcher in the future.  Time will tell.

Scottish Claymores
Matunde Muroki
The starting pitcher craze continues here.  He has three pitches (fastball, change, and splitter).  If all three pitches develop fully, he could start, but his stamina is questionable.  He may end up in the pen.  Just 18 years old, he is years away from helping the Claymores.

Black Forest Foxes
Dula 'The Sheriff' Tuako
Given that Singapore’s pick can pitch as well as catch, Tuako is the first non-pitcher prospect to be selected.  This 19-year-old outfielder (who can play at first base as well) has outstanding speed and base stealing ability, but he will probably struggle defensively.  He will likely hit for a good average with less than average power.  The Zambian has all the makings of a leadoff hitter.

Paris Fleur-de-Lis
Majid 'Lion' Radia
Paris can afford to wait for this 18-year-old outfielder from Qatar to develop.  He’s not particularly fast and struggles in the field, but he looks like he could become a solid offensive contributor with good all-around skills in the batter’s box.

[Huckleberry]

Nice work. Incredible that the first 8 are all pitching prospects, even if Naji isn't listed there as his main position.

[squaredrive]

Great write up- unbelievable how pitcher heavy that round was.

[Karachi_GM]

If you subscribe to the "best available player" theory in making draft picks, it's hard to not select a pitcher.  The draft pools have been disappointingly pitcher-centric lately.

[Echo127]

If you subscribe to the "best available player" theory in making draft picks, it's hard to not select a pitcher.  The draft pools have been disappointingly pitcher-centric lately.

That's why I said I regretted going SP in Rd1. By Rd2 all the great hitting was gone and there were still a ton of SPs just as good as the one I took available.

[Huckleberry]

ABL First Round Review

...

Thought I would check in on the ABL's first round picks now that they're around 1/3 of the way done with their first professional seasons.

#1 - Juan Baca - Puerto Rico Coqui

Baca suffered a rib injury early in the season that caused him to miss about a month but he has simply been mashing at the AA level. This pick appears to be paying off and it wouldn't surprise me if he's moved up to AAA soon. In fact it will be interesting to see if he makes his actual ABL debut this year as well. Baca's contact potential dropped one notch since he was drafted but it certainly hasn't shown up in his performance.

#2 - Teodósio Mascarenhas - Buenos Aires (from Florida)

Serving as the anti-Baca in their respective professional debut seasons, Mascarenhas has not experienced any potential changes but is struggling at the AA level. May has been slightly better than a dismal April, so we will see if he is simply taking a while to put it all together. He has, fortunately, stayed injury free to this point.

#3 - Iván López - Mexico City

As this prognosticator mentioned when he was drafted, López may have been the best all-around player available and he has shown it so far. He raked at the AA level so impressively that Mexico City has already moved him to AAA where he is continuing to mash the ball with a .304/.368/.493 slash line in 18 games. With Murtadi bin Nazeeh's struggles (other than home runs, geez) with the parent club is it possible that López stakes a claim to a big league starting spot in his first season? We will see. He has also been fortunate to suffer no potential drops to this point.

#4 - Marcos Ruíz - New York City

Ruíz has also had a very impressive professional debut as the Empires started him at AAA and he has responded extremely well with a 26/11 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 1.48 ERA. While most pundits will always say that this was a reach at the #4 overall slot considering that Ruíz is a reliever, it's very apparent that he has to this point performed exactly like the Empires hoped he would. The scouts are just as high on him as they were at draft time.

#5 - Felício Szenes - Rio de Janeiro

Given the gap between his current and potential ratings, it was always known that Szenes was more of a long-term prospect than those drafted above him. The good news is that while he had only performed about average at the Rookie level so far in his first season, his potential ratings are exactly where they were at draft time. The Jaguars should remain patient here as he appears to still be on track as a future major league starter.

#6 - Héctor Velásquez - Florida (from Buenos Aires)

As the guy with the best contact tool in the draft, it was no surprise that Velásquez hit for a .346 average at the Single A level before being moved up recently. While not nearly as impressive as that number, his .286 start at AA is a good figure for a 21-year-old prospect. He remains one to watch and with no potential drops he is still forecast to be an ABL batting title challenger.

#7 - George Brewer - Los Angeles

At the time they were drafted it was widely discussed that Velásquez and Brewer would be compared for years. Brewer has had a similar campaign one level below Velásquez at each stop this season. However, that makes sense given that he is 2 years younger. Brewer hit .357 in a month in Rookie ball and is currently adjusting to the Single A level.

#8 - Tilmão Tameiro - Washington

Perhaps the most surprising development in researching this story appeared to be that Tameiro had been utilized as a bench option in his first season. With 45 appearances and only 42 at-bats, it wasn't until I saw that 23 of his appearances had been at pitcher that I remembered his dual ability. Still, he has struggled on the mound in Rookie ball (under the weight of significant overuse it appears) before being moved to AA where he has been used as a very potent bat off the bench so far. For now we will all have to wait and see how the Washington organization chooses to use him moving forward.

#9 - Ricardo Jiménez - São Paulo

Jiménez had been dominant at the Single A level as a 22-year-old. He had gone 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and only 4 walks. But then he suffered a nasty elbow fracture and since that time the OOTP scouting department has reported a one point stuff potential rating loss. Toucan fans are hopeful that this is where it ends and that Jiménez can regain his stellar form in 2108.

#10 - Miguel Rivera - Santo Domingo

Shortly after being drafted, Rivera decided to use his middle name and discovered he was actually born in the Dominican Republic. He has scuffled a bit in Single A but our sources indicate that the plan had been for Rivera to toil in Rookie ball this year before multiple injuries to starting pitchers in the Palmchat system moved him up a level. Rumors are that he will be moved back to Rookie ball shortly. Rivera actually had a single point control talent increase this year, which Santo Domingo hopes is a harbinger of things to come.