Nuggets 191
Hello again gentlemen.
Hey,
once in a while the sun shines on the same dog’s ass. I know that is not exactly how that old
phrase goes and I’ll have to go back and re-watch Hoosiers to get it right, but
it is meant to mean I that I got lucky this past Friday, when the King of
Diamonds appeared out of a sauce pan.
I
had asked my wife to wish me luck as I walked out the door, much earlier in the
day. She complied with the wish, but she
really didn’t know what I was asking for, after all, if you remember my old
Halloween story, my wife once dressed as “Cal Griffey”. So, since I had never picked first, I was
going to be happy with any pick in the top 6, especially in a draft with a lot
of help, but no clear #1.
Ok,
I’m done gloating now and will get to the reason I am putting out the first
Nuggets in quite some time. It is mock
time! Since the entire 24 are not set,
I’ll mock the 17 we know and list 7 more that I think are worthy of first round
consideration.
So,
since I am on the clock and writing the article, I’m gonna talk about me some
more. If I had to pick today I’d be
flipping a coin between Sanchez and Turner.
Both have great cards with Turners having more on base #’s, but Sanchez
has the 1 1 0 0 0. Both also give me
reason to pause. At this time, I have 3
SS’s that play only SS. Turner fills a
need at 2b and in the OF, but could be a full time SS next year, furthering the
log jam. If you know me very well, you
know the hesitation with Sanchez…. Fuckin Yankee!!
#1 Clydesdales. For the purpose of this mock, I’ll put away
my Yankee hate for a player that should hit in the middle of my order for a few
years. The Dales take Gary Sanchez, if they still have the
pick.
#2 Vermont. I spoke with Dave briefly and he was similar
to me, in that he didn’t commit to anyone.
My guess is that he likes the same two I do and takes the player I
don’t. Turner to the Chucks.
#3 York. The First Caps have a potent lineup that can
rake with anyone. With a couple more B
starters, he would be firmly in contention.
Fulmer is there, so it makes sense, right? Nah, gimme that Shortstop with 27 bombs! Story to the Caps.
#4 East York. The OF does a lot of the heavy lifting for
the 66er’s, but between Joey Bats getting up there and Stanton not being able
to put together a full season, it might be time to send reinforcements. I’m giving Mick the other hot Rockie and see
him selecting Dahl.
#5 New Hudson. Another team on the cusp. A B starter sure stoutens the rotation, but Mazara provides help every day, rather
than every 5.
#6 Muncie.
Used Bob said he needed pitching, but he hates to take one in the first. So, his shortstop for the next 15 years could
be out there in Swanson. The pick also allows him to needle Chad the
entire trip home back to Indiana.
#7 Coastal. With a top rate offense, already in place, New
Bob likely looks at the staff and looks for the upgrade. I know Fulmer has the B, but Urias and Reyes
are likely the best prospects. I’m gonna
go the Reyes route for New Bob.
#8 New England.
Bill watched a couple of division rivals fare well, so he may not be as aggressive. With Hendrick departed Urias might look pretty good next year, so that’s how I’ll go.
#9 Marietta.
I’ll have to admit that I didn’t look at this pick too long. I started at C and saw Joseph and Ross, then
I penciled in the name Contreras.
#10 Indiana.
I see two needs. One in the OF and one in the rotation. That would suggest a decision between Fulmer
and Benintendi. However, I can’t see
Bregman dropping out of the top 10, so Bregman
it is.
#11 Frankfort.
Tons of new faces on this squad and Tim has done a great job getting to a point
where he can draft the best available, rather than for need. Sometimes you swing for the fences and in
this case I think I see taking a shot on Josh
Bell.
#12 The team formerly known as North York. By the way, let me take this opportunity to
welcome back Ash to the league. Got a
hey buddy for me? Also, a thanks to Eric
for stepping in and “We’ll see you at the summer meetings”. So, on to the pick. The choice looks between
the B and the Oriole. Heck, no-brainer
as Bundy joins the fold.
#13 Magic City.
This is a tough one for me. During our
many years of mocking, we always had some differences. He loves the younger guys and doesn’t show the
same fear that some of us to take an arm in round 1. I don’t think he likes Fulmer as much as Taillon, so I’ll go that way.
#14 Glenville (via Duneland). A good chunk
of the rotation was sent, with this being part of haul. The overhaul will need to include some
rotation pieces, so why not the ROY and a B to boot? Fulmer
here.
#15 Creekside.
I’m not sure here, but it has been my impression that Scoop sticks pretty close
to the BPA philosophy. I have probably
ignored this guy too long, since he was voted the best hitting prospect for the
coming season. I’m going with Benintendi.
#16 Green Mountain. I’m trying to do the impossible here, because even if I mock him Babe
Ruth, I’m gonna hear that I’m off in the head..lol. I think he’d like a SS, but I have Diaz as
the next option there. I’m gonna be
wrong, so I’ll try to be wrong big and pencil in AJ Reed.
This just in:
#17 New England. Stop me if you’ve heard this one
before. The Elite will have a different
look than last year.. I’d be sorting between Velasquez, Kepler and Naquin. With no real needs, I go with the highest
ceiling and call on Kepler.
So, that leaves 7 picks in
round 1 and these are the next 7 on my board, well maybe not the exact 7 since
I pick 25th, but not total bullshit picks anyway. So, in no particular order:
Naquin
Velasquez
Gurriel
Snell
Gray
Healy
Judge
Schmidt
Conference
Winfield Division
Canaan Polar Bears:
Cleveland Hit Men:
Kalamazoo Black Knights:
Sparrow Lake Stallions:
Murphy Division
Crosstown Clydesdales:
Duneland Crusaders:
Gulf Breeze Aardvarks:
Magic City Maulers:
Rice Division
Glenville Greys:
Longstown Prospectors:
North York Warthogs:
Three Mile Island Tigers:
Cooper Conference
Carter Division
Green Mountain Canucks:
Johnson Knights:
New England Elite:
Vermont Woodchucks:
Yount Division
Albany Wildcats:
Indiana Imperials:
Muncie Black Wolf:
Pennsylvania Pounders:
Brett Division
Creekside Crushers:
East York 66er’s:
Keystone Comanches:
York First Capitols: