In Part One of this article, I introduced my AL-only, fantasy keeper league and the anticipation that accompanies the Minor League Draft.
Now that Round 1 of the draft has come and gone, I present the results with commentary as promised. Please keep in mind that many of the players who are currently considered top prospects in the American League were drafted in previous years by league owners.
Here's how I would have ranked the draft-eligible prospects going into the first round:
- Carlos González
- Ian Kennedy
- David Price
- Desmond Jennings
- Ryan Royster
- Rick Porcello
- Jed Lowrie
- Alexei Ramírez
- Mike Moustakas
THE RESULTS
1) David Price, Starting Pitcher (Tampa Bay Rays)
Having the draft's number one pick is an unenviable position. Conventional wisdom states that whichever player is selected first, chances are he'll be a sure bet. However, the reality is that every player out there is equal parts success and failure.
Was David Price the best fantasy pick at No. 1 this year? Only time will tell. He sure is a big athletic kid with three-plus pitches. Throughout his college career he was practically unhittable and won nearly every collegiate award possible in 2007.
That said, he has absolutely no professional experience and because of that I have a hard time gauging how he'll respond to the type of coaching and hitting he'll see when he finally makes his debut. Can he strengthen his mechanics in order to become a consistently dominant pitcher?
In all likelihood, Price will progress through the Minor Leagues and find a spot in the Rays' rotation by 2010. If he becomes an ace or second starter, he will have fulfilled his potential.
2) Rick Porcello, Starting Pitcher (Detroit Tigers)
Every one likes a young gun, but I didn't realize they liked them this much.
Porcello is one of the best pitching prospects to come out of prep school in a long time. The hype around him reminds me of the anticipation that met Joe Mauer when he was drafted by the Twins in 2001.
Porcello brings four pitches and a great pitcher's body to the table. Although some project him as a future closer, nothing short of a disaster would convince the Tigers that this guy shouldn't be a starter.
Again though, with no professional experience and a 19-year-old arm, I wouldn't have predicted Porcello to jump so high up in the draft. High school pitchers without at least some pro experience can be scary. Does anyone remember Jeff Allison?
Look for Porcello to spend the season in A-ball. If he comes out unscathed and still sporting that cannon for an arm, this pick will be genius.
3) Mike Moustakas, Shortstop (Kansas City Royals)



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