The Kansas City Royals won 122 games last season—122! And somehow, they walked away from this draft with two first-round picks. Let that sink in. They had their own 20th overall pick, which they used to take reliever Troy Percival, but they also managed to trade their way into the 22nd pick—a selection that originally belonged to the St. Louis Cardinals before bouncing around the league until it landed in Kansas City’s hands. They used...
The Chicago White Sox didn’t waste any time making moves in the draft. After selecting Alan Benes with the 19th pick, they turned right around and shipped him off to the Orlando Sun Rays in exchange for Orlando’s 1995 first-round pick and a 1996 second-rounder. Now, the question is—was this a smart move for Chicago, or did Orlando get the better deal? Truth is, it’s too early to tell. But what we can do is take a look at Benes as a...
The Los Angeles Dodgers used the 18th pick in the draft to add some pitching depth, selecting right-hander Ugueth Urbina—and before you ask, it’s pronounced oo-GETH ur-BEE-nuh. For the Dodgers, Urbina is a project, but one with real potential. With a 15 in Stuff, 11 in Movement, and 13 in Control, he’s got a solid foundation to build on. Of course, raw numbers don’t always tell the whole story. His fastball and changeup have even higher...
The New York Yankees selected Mike Grace with the 17th pick, adding a solid pitching prospect to their system. Grace has the potential to be a valuable rotation piece once he’s had time to develop. He enters the organization with a 10 in Stuff, 13 in Movement, and 16 in Control, with room to improve—especially in Control, where he could gain a few points. Grace features a three-pitch mix: a fastball, curveball, and changeup. While his tools...
With the 16th overall pick, the Cincinnati Reds went with Rich Aurilia, a versatile infielder whose best work comes at shortstop. It’s not a flashy pick, but it’s a smart, steady one—something you’d expect from a Reds front office that knows exactly what they need. Aurilia checks a lot of boxes. He’s got above-average offensive ratings, with contact and avoid Ks standing out as his strengths. He’s not going to burn up the...
With the 15th overall pick, the San Francisco Giants selected Craig Counsell, a defensive standout with the ability to play multiple infield positions at a high level. While Counsell wasn’t the highest-rated player available, the Giants made a strategic decision to prioritize filling a glaring need over taking the flashiest prospect on the board. Counsell’s defensive skills are among the best in the draft. He carries a position rating of 19...
The New York Mets made an intriguing choice with the 14th overall pick, selecting third baseman Phil Nevin—a prospect with notable offensive upside but clear defensive shortcomings. While reports suggest the Mets were eyeing Edgardo Alfonzo at No. 11 before he was scooped up by the Pirates, Nevin offers plenty of potential as a long-term investment. Nevin’s offensive tools are the highlight of his game. With potential ratings of 16 in...
With the 13th overall pick, the Baltimore Orioles turned some heads by selecting center fielder Johnny Damon, a 2.5-star prospect many had projected as a late first-round or early second-round selection. While some may argue the Orioles reached for Damon, his potential and versatility make him a valuable addition to Baltimore’s organization. Damon’s defensive skills are undeniable. Capable of playing all three outfield positions, he boasts...
The Boston Red Sox made a splash in the draft, trading with Atlanta to acquire the 12th overall pick and selecting center fielder Mike Cameron. A player ready to make his Major League debut from day one, Cameron brings a dynamic combination of defensive skill and offensive potential to a Boston team. Cameron’s defensive abilities in center field are nothing short of stellar. With an above-average position rating of 15, he’s poised to patrol...
The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the draft with two prime picks—10th and 11th overall—and despite being highly active in trade discussions throughout the event, they wisely held on to these valuable selections. Their patience paid off as they landed two promising prospects: left-handed reliever Billy Wagner and versatile infielder Edgardo Alfonzo. With the 10th pick, the Pirates selected Billy Wagner, the only five-star prospect in this...