This is the second of my MLB re-drafts. June is usually the month of the baseball draft and this is a fun way to look back what would happen if we knew what we know now. How would the baseball landscape look differently if teams picked correctly. The goal is to re-do all the professional drafts of my lifetime which began in 1987.
Here is a look back at my 1987 MLB Re-Draft
And now here is the 1988 MLB Re-Draft.
For accuracy and length purposes, only the 1st round is redone in these redrafts.
1 San Diego Padres
Select: C Mike Piazza Miami Dade Community College
Piazza was actually selected by the Dodgers in the 62nd round with the 1,390th overall selection.
Padres Actual Selection: P Andy Benes University of Evansville
Piazza is probably the most overlooked player in the history of the MLB draft. How does a hall of famer fall to the 62nd round? The guy wouldn't have been picked at all if Lasorda wasn't doing Piazza's dad a solid by picking him. Can you believe that? The greatest offensive catcher ever may not have even played the game. This selection is no disrespect to Andy Benes who was a really solid pick, but Piazza was a really special player that clearly would go #1 if we got a do-over.
2 Cleveland Indians
Select: OF Kenny Lofton Arizona
Lofton was actually selected in the 17th round with the 328th pick by the Houston Astros.
Indians Actual Selection: SS Mark Lewis Hamilton HS
At the time of the draft, it would have been crazy to think of drafting a guy at 2 overall that had 5 at-bats in college. Knowing, what we know now, it is crazy not to. These superstars slipping as far as they did look really bad in hindsight. Of course, the Indians did end up with Lofton eventually, but they wouldn't leave it to chance knowing what we know now. He is not a Hall of Famer, but he should be as far as I'm concerned. I don't remember many center fielders better than Lofton. What an amazing baseball player that fell to the 17th round. The college basketball star made a great switch to baseball and would have been a fine pick at #2 overall.
3 Atlanta Braves
Select: OF Jim Edmonds Diamond Bar HS
Edmonds was actually selected in the 7th round with the 169th overall pick by the Angels.
Braves Actual Selection: P Steve Avery Kennedy HS
Avery was a really good pitcher for Atlanta and helped them win the World Series in 1996. However, there were a few players in this draft that had much better careers. One of those players was Jim Edmonds who wasn't selected until the 7th round. Edmonds has 8 career gold gloves and is arguably the best defensive center fielder of this generation. He is another guy that probably should be in the Hall of Fame. The four-time all-star has 393 home runs as well and had some pop to go with that defense. The ERA of that outstanding Atlanta staff likely improves even more with the outstanding Edmonds patrolling center field. Edmonds ended up winning a World Series title in St. Louis and likely would have won at least one in Atlanta.
4 Baltimore Orioles
Select: P Tim Wakefield Eau Gallie HS
Wakefield was actually selected in the 8th round with the 200th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Orioles Actual Selection: P Gregg Olson Auburn
Olson was actually a fine selection and is an Orioles Hall of Famer. He had 217 career saves and was Rookie of the Year in 1989, but knowing what we know now, the Orioles still would have gone another direction. Crazy enough, Wakefield is another guy that went after the 7th round. That makes the top 4 selections in the re-draft all players that were actually selected in the 7th round or later. Wakefield had an outstanding career that ended in him being an all-star and 2 time World Series champ. He had over 200 career wins and over 2,000 career strikeouts. The guy was really good for a really long time and would have fit quite well in Baltimore. Beyond all that, he was one of the key guys in ending the World Series drought of the Red Sox. Part of this selection is keeping him out of Boston and stopping that abomination that is Red Sox Nation from happening. Wakefield helping the Orioles win a World Series would have been much better than ending the Sox drought. I really could have gotten behind Wakefield in black and orange.
5 Los Angeles Dodgers
Select: P Andy Benes University of Evansville
Benes was actually selected with the 1st overall selection by the San Diego Padres.
Dodgers Actual Selection: P Bill Bene Cal State Los Angeles
Earlier I discussed that Benes was actually a fine pick in the draft. The Padres could have been very pleased with the pick. They selected Piazza in the re-draft which robbed these Dodgers of the hall of fame catcher. Here in the re-draft, the Dodgers select Benes who was gone in the actual draft. Andy Benes was an all-star with 2,000 career strikeouts and a 3.97 career ERA. He was a really good pitcher for a really long time.
6 Texas Rangers
Select: OF Luis Gonzalez South Alabama
Gonzalez was actually selected in the 4th round with the 90th overall selection by the Astros.
Rangers Actual Selection: SS Monty Fariss Oklahoma State
The 5-time all-star makes 5/6 selections in this draft outside of the first 3 rounds in the actual draft. Luis Gonzalez is one of the most clutch players in baseball history and delivered arguably the biggest hit of the modern era. His game winning hit in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series capped arguably the best World Series of all-time. Knowing that alone, the Rangers that never won the World Series might want to select Gonzalez. Add in his 354 career home runs and he is very attractive for Texas in this re-draft. The Rangers would have loved to have some of his clutch hits in their lineup.
7 Houston Astros
Select: OF Deion Sanders Florida State University
Sanders was actually selected in the 30th round with the 781st overall selection by the Yankees.
Astros Actual Selection: OF Willie Ansley Plainview HS
It is actually really understandable why Sanders fell in the baseball draft. After all, he was only a part-time baseball player and his career WAR in baseball is not worthy of a selection this high in the draft. That being said, he is arguably the best athlete to ever play the game of baseball. He is the only athlete to ever participate in a Super Bowl and a World Series also. Think about what an incredible feat that is. Prime time and his 186 steals could have perhaps done that for Houston. Maybe he plays for the Astros and the Oilers like he did for the Falcons and Braves. Perhaps the Oilers stay in Houston with this selection. Heck, maybe he focuses on baseball and becomes an even better player than he was. So much intrigue with drafting Sanders that the Astros can't pass him up. No matter what though, Sanders was a much better pro than Willie Ansley who never reached the majors. Crazy to think what would have happened if they selected Sanders.
8 California Angels
Select: 3B Robin Ventura Oklahoma State
Ventura was actually selected with the 10th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox.
Angels Actual Selection: P Jim Abbott Michigan
Abbot was a solid selection, he had a career 4.25 ERA and 82 career wins. However, there were better players available at 8 overall. They could have selected Robin Ventura who went two picks later for example. Ventura was a 6 time gold glove winner at third base and could have locked down the hot corner for the Angels. His 56.1 career WAR is one of the highest numbers in this entire draft. The two time all-star even helped the Mets reach the World Series in 2000. He could have only increased the Angels chances of getting another ring.
9 Chicago Cubs
Select: OF Brian Jordan Richmond
Jordan was actually selected with the 30th overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cubs Actual Selection: 2B Ty Griffin Georgia Tech
Ty Griffin never made the big leagues and was an absolute draft bust by the Chicago Cubs. They could have selected much better and there was a guy selected by the rival Cardinals 21 picks later that was really good. Brian Jordan was an outstanding outfielder during his career and competed at an all-star level. He had 184 career home runs to go with outstanding defense. Jordan posted a 32.9 career WAR and would have been a great pick for the Cubbies here at 9 overall.
10 Chicago White Sox
Select: IF John Valentin Seton Hall University
Valentin was actually selected in the 5th round with the 121st overall pick by the Boston Red Sox.
White Sox Actual Selection: 3B Robin Ventura Oklahoma State
The White Sox made arguably the best pick of the first round, so this is a downgrade no matter how you slice it. That being said, Valentine was a really solid pro for a number of years. He accumulated a career WAR of 32.5. Valentine had a career on-base percentage of .360 and scored 614 runs. He had a solid glove and could play multiple positions. His versatility would give a team some options.
11 Philadelphia Phillies
Select: P Woody Williams Houston
Williams was actually selected in the 28th round with the 732nd pick by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Phillies Actual Selection: P Pat Combs Baylor
Many teams did worse than Combs, but he shouldn't have been selected in the top 20. Meanwhile a 15 year MLB starter was selected 721 selections later. Woody Williams was a good pro that won 132 career games. Williams' career war was 29 points higher than the actual selection of Pat Combs. Williams would have been an excellent selection for the Phillies.
12 Boston Red Sox
Select: 1B Tino Martinez University of Tampa
Martinez was actually selected with the 14th overall selection by the Seattle Mariners.
Red Sox Actual Selection: P Tom Fischer Wisconsin
Tino Martinez had a really good career. Martinez was selected to two all-star teams and won 4 world series titles. Besides the fact that he would have been a great pick by Boston, those 4 world series wins were with the hated New York Yankees. The fact that he would be a key part of that success and Boston could block it, would probably be enough reason for Boston to select Tino. Add in his power with over 300 career home runs, and Tino would have been a fine selection.
13 Pittsburgh Pirates
Select: OF Marquis Grissom Florida A&M
Grissom was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 76th overall pick by the Montreal Expos.
Pirates Actual Selection: SS Austin Manahan Horizon HS
Imagine for a second, Marquis Grissom and Barry Bonds in the same outfield in Pittsburgh. We could have easily had it. Instead the 2-time all star fell all the way to 76 overall and Pittsburgh selected Manahan. Grissom had 429 career steals and a career WAR of 29.6.
14 Seattle Mariners
Select: P Charles Nagy UCONN
Nagy was actually selected with the 17th overall pick by the Cleveland Indians.
Mariners Actual Selection: 1B Tino Martinez University of Tampa
Tino is gone in the re-draft, but Nagy could have actually worked out better for Seattle. If Nagy was in the rotation with the Big Unit, he perhaps could have gotten Seattle to the World Series they never advanced to. If nothing else, Nagy was an effective starter that spent all, but one season with one team. Seattle could have used Nagy's arm and his loyalty in an effort to secure a World Series.
15 San Francisco Giants
Select: SS Royce Clayton St. Bernard HS
Clayton was the Giants actual selection.
There are 3 players available in the re-draft with higher career WAR than Clayton. Those players are Darren Oliver, Damien Easley, and Jim Abbot. However, in the re-draft, the Giants stick with Clayton. Solid defensive shortstops are hard to find and Clayton was a really solid player. Clayton made an all-star game, and was a worthy selection at 15. It's not like the other 3 were far better over their careers, Clayton's career WAR was 19.5 and he played the hardest position to fill.
16 Oakland Athletics
Select: P Gregg Olson Auburn
Olson was actually selected with the 4th overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles.
Athletics Actual Selection: C Stan Royer Eastern Illinois
Olson would have been a perfect selection for the Athletics as a high leverage reliever to bridge the gap to Dennis Eckersley early on in his career. His production was much better early on and would have fit perfectly into the competitive window that the A's had. The A's lost the World Series to the Reds in 1990 and Olson would have given them a far better chance to win it. The reliever was really good in 1989 and 1990 and even appeared in the 1990 all-star game. With 217 career saves, Olson could have been the eventual successor to Eck in Oakland as well. Of course, in the real draft, he was long gone by this point.
17 Cleveland Indians
Select: P Steve Avery Kennedy HS
Avery was actually selected with the 3rd overall pick by the Atlanta Braves.
Indians Actual Selection: P Charles Nagy UCONN
The actual draft had Avery long gone, but the redraft has Nagy gone who actually had the better overall career. That being said, if both were available in the re-draft, I could definitely see the Indians taking Avery. While Avery was not dominant in 1995, he was dominant in the 1995 World Series when the Braves beat the Indians. The Indians sure would have loved for Avery to be on their side during that series.
18 Kansas City Royals
Select: IF Damion Easley Long Beach City College
Easley was actually selected in 30th round with the 767th pick by the California Angles.
Royals Actual Selection: OF Hugh Walker Jacksonville HS
Royals 2B Frank White was towards the end of his career in 1988 and the Royals could have drafted his eventual replacement. Easley was a solid infielder for many years and primarily played 2nd base during his big league career. Drafting him could have certainly been beneficial to the Royals organization.
19 Montreal Expos
Select: P Darren Oliver Rio Linda HS
Oliver was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 63rd overall pick by the Texas Rangers.
Expos Actual Selection: P David Wainhouse Washington State
Oliver is one of the most memorable pitchers of the generation from the simple fact that he pitched so long. He spent 20 years in the big leagues and picked up 118 wins in the process. That kind of stability is appealing for any team, especially one that would eventually move out of the country.
20 Minnesota Twins
Select: P Jim Abbott Michigan
Abbot was actually selected with the 8th overall pick by the California Angels.
Twins Actual Selection: P Johnny Ard Manatee Community College
Abbott was actually gone long before this selection in the actual draft. Here in the re-draft he was available and he would have fit brilliantly in Minnesota. Abbott even had 18 wins and finished 3rd in Cy Young Award voting in the Twins World Series season of 1991. He could have made a great team even better.
21 New York Mets
Select: SS Gary Disarcina UMASS
Disarcina was actually selected in 6th round with the 143rd overall pick by the Angels.
Mets Actual Selection: P Dave Proctor Allen County Community College
The 1988 Mets were two years removed from the World Series and they were still a really good team that won 100 games. To try to get another ring, they would have picked differently than they actually did. The team did not have a quality shortstop and settled for Kevin Elster for years. Disarcina was not a world beater, but he was a definite upgrade over Elster.
22 St. Louis Cardinals
Select: CF Darren Lewis California
Lewis was actually selected in the 18th round with the 463rd pick by the Oakland A's.
Cardinals Actual Selection: P John Ericks Illinois
Lewis never set the world on fired, but he definitely had a better career than John Ericks. He was a solid defensive center fielder and could have paired with Vince Coleman and Willie McGee to give the Cardinals one of the most exciting outfields in all of baseball. That outfield would have been really fun to watch.
23 St. Louis Cardinals
Select: 1B Eric Karros California
Karros was actually selected in the 6th round with the 140th overall pick by the Dodgers.
Cardinals Actual Selection: P Brad Duvall Virginia Tech
Cardinals 1st baseman Bob Horner was injured during the 1988 with an injury that would cause him to retire. There was another 1st baseman available that would become rookie of the year in 1992. Eric Karros was a team player and a guy that stayed with the Dodgers for 12 years. St. Louis would have loved the loyalty and the play from Karros.
24 Milwaukee Brewers
Select: P Arthur Rhodes La Vega HS
Rhodes was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 34th overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles.
Brewers Actual Selection: P Alex Fernandez Pace HS
Alex Fernandez was a great selection by the Brewers. He won 107 career games and had 1,252 career strikeouts in 1 seasons. However, they couldn't get Fernandez to sign as he went to Miami. Instead of repeating that mistake, the Brewers select mr. dependable Arthur Rhodes. The lefty reliever had a brilliant 20 year career and was always ready when called upon. The 2010 all-star had a impressive career and would have been a fan-favorite in Milwaukee.
25 Toronto Blue Jays
Select: 3B Tim Naehring Miami Ohio
Naehring was actually selected in the 8th round with the 199th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox.
Blue Jays Actual Selection: 3B Ed Sprague Stanford
On one hand you can say that Sprague contributed to back to back World Series titles. On the other hand, there was a guy available that could play the same position at a higher level that offered more production. Naehring's career WAR was 7 points higher than Sprague and he was better than Sprague in Sprague's best season in Toronto (1993). During that season, Naehring hit .331 and had an on-base percentage of .377. He had a career on-base percentage of .365 and was an extremely versatile player.
26 Detroit Tigers
Select: P David Weathers Motlow State Community College
Weathers was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 82nd overall pick by the Blue Jays.
Tigers Actual Selection: 1B Rico Brogna Watertown HS
The Tigers were smart to try to select a 1st baseman in 1988 as Ray Knight was their worst player and in the last year of his career. Unfortunately, Rico Brogna did nothing of significance in the MLB. They select the guy that had the best career instead here. David Weathers had 73 career wins and 75 career saves. His career ERA was just over 4 and he had nearly 1,000 career strikeouts.
27 Cleveland Indians (supplemental pick)
Select: 2B Mickey Morandini Indiana
Morandini was actually selected in the 5th round with the 120th overall pick by Philadelphia Phillies.
Indians Actual Selection: P Jeff Mutis Lafayette College
Through this re-draft the Indians already picked up Kenny Lofton and Steve Avery and they add even more value here. Julio Franco was one of the best players on the Indians, but he would leave following the 1988 season and they needed a second baseman. They pick one in the best available player, Mickey Morandini. Luckily for the Indians, Morandini's best season was 1995, when he was an all-star. That year was the year the Indians would lose the World Series to the Braves. Could Morandini have been the difference?
28 Baltimore Orioles (supplemental pick)
Select: P Mark Clark Lincoln Land Community College
Clark was actually selected in the 9th round with the 236th overall pick by the Cardinals.
Orioles Actual Selection: SS Ricky Gutierrez American HS
You can never have too many arms and the Orioles pick one in the re-draft in Mark Clark. Clark was a solid pitcher who had 74 career wins. His best years were 1996 and 1997 which happen to be the best two Orioles teams of my lifetime. It would have matched up perfectly. He won 14 games and had a sub 4 ERA in each of those seasons. Those 28 wins could have really helped the Orioles a lot.
29 San Francisco Giants (supplemental pick)
Select: P Mark Wohlers Holyoke HS
Wohlers was actually selected in the 8th round with the 190th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves
Giants Actual Selection: OF Ted Wood New Orleans
Wohlers had 119 career saves and helped the Braves to the 1995 World Series. He would have slotted in nicely in the San Francisco bullpen. He wouldn't have made a difference in the 1989 World Series since he didn't make his debut until 1991. However, Wohlers could have made an impact on those early 90s Giants teams.
30 St. Louis Cardinals (supplemental pick)
Select: 3B Ed Sprague Stanford
Sprague was actually selected with the 25th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays
Cardinals: OF Brian Jordan Richmond
With this re-draft, Brian Jordan is long gone because he was way too good to fall to 30. The Cardinals settle for another all-star with the 30th pick in the re-draft. Stud third baseman Terry Pendleton would leave the Cardinals after 1989 so at the time, the Cardinals would have loved to draft his eventual replacement. Not the same production as Jordan, but not a bad pick.
- Noland Robinson
No comments:
Post a Comment