For accuracy and length purposes, only the 1st round is redone in these redrafts.
1 Seattle Mariners
Select: OF Ken Griffey Jr. Moeller HS
Griffey was the Mariners actual selection
There is no doing better than this selection. Ken Griffey Jr. is in the Hall of Fame. He is one of the greatest center fielders of all-time and was one of the best players in Mariners history. Not only that, but Griffey was the most popular player of his entire generation by a substantial margin. Griffey Jr. was a home run for the Mariners and he hit quite a few of those.
2 Pittsburgh Pirates
Select: C Craig Biggio Seton Hall University
Biggio was actually selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Houston Astros.
Pirates actual selection: OF Mark Merchant Oviedo HS
Merchant never ended up playing in the MLB which is a huge disaster with the number 2 pick. Meanwhile, Craig Biggio was a 1st ballot hall of famer who had 3,000 hits and spent his entire career with one franchise. Biggio played some 2B and CF when his catching days were over and was a stud for Houston for years. The Pirates would have done much better by selecting Biggio.
3 Minnesota Twins
Select: P Kevin Appier Antelope Valley College
Appier was actually selected with the 9th overall pick by the Kansas City Royals.
Twins actual selection: P Willie Banks St. Anthony HSBanks was a solid starter for many MLB seasons. His career record was 33-39 with a 4.75 ERA. However, solid starter is not the absolute ace bulldog that Kevin Appier was. Appier was fantastic as a pro. Mussina would be the pick here, but he didn't sign after being drafted in this draft class. Therefore, we will count him in the draft where he signed and not this one. He had 169 career wins, a 3.74 ERA, and 1,994 strikeouts. Appier would have made a huge difference for the Twins and possibly allowed them to pick up another ring or two.
4 Chicago Cubs
Select: OF Albert Belle LSU
Belle was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 47th overall pick by the Cleveland Indians
Cubs Actual Selection: P Mike Harkey Cal State Fullerton
Harkey was another decent MLB starter. He went 36-36 and had a 4.49 ERA over the length of his career, but there were a lot of really good players in this draft. With the three Hall of Famers gone in the re-draft, the Cubs go for the next best thing. Belle had some incredible seasons with a lot of power over the course of his career. When he was in his prime, he was something special. Albert had 381 career home runs and 1,239 career RBIs. The big run producer could have been something special in the Cubs lineup.
5 Chicago White Sox
Select: P Jack McDowell Stanford University
McDowell was the White Sox actual selection.
The White Sox nailed this pick. They could go a few other directions in this re-draft, but why would they. McDowell had a very successful career and was a great starter for Chicago. With 127 wins, a 3.85 ERA, and 1,311 career strikeouts, McDowell was a great selection. The 1993 Cy Young Award winner would go to the White Sox again if this happened today.
6 Atlanta Braves
Select: OF Steve Finley Southern Illinois University
Finley was actually selected in the 13th round by 325th overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles.
Braves Actual Selection: P Derek Lilliquist UGA
Lilliquist did have a 7 year big league career, but had a career losing record and should not have been a round 1 selection. He certainly should not have gone in the top 10. The Braves could do much better by selecting 5 time gold glove winner Steve Finley. The outfielder hit .271 over the course of his long career with 304 home runs and 1,167 RBIs. He was brilliant for many years and covered some ground on defense. He could have made a tremendous impact on those mid-90s Braves teams. Finley could have helped that great team win another title or two.
7 Baltimore Orioles
Select: SS Travis Fryman JM Tate HS
Fryman was actually selected with the 30th overall pick by the Detroit Tigers
Orioles Actual Selection: P Chris Meyers Plant HS
The Orioles hit on their 11th round selection in Mike Mussina in the actual draft, but he didn't sign in this draft. They also should have come up with a more successful draft with 3 first round picks, including one top 10 selection. They get on the track to do much better in this re-draft with this selection. Baltimore completely missed the mark with this 7th overall selection by picking Myers. With the re-draft the Orioles have the luxury of being able to select the best player available with each of their first round picks. It might seem weird to pick a SS with Cal Ripken the best player on the Orioles, but Fryman gives the Orioles tremendous flexibility. Drafting Fryman and playing him at 3B where he played a good chunk of his career gives the Orioles an incredible left side of the infield. With Fryman and Ripken on defense, the Orioles play a lot better baseball in the 1990s. It would have been a tremendous selection.
8 Los Angeles Dodgers
Select: SS Reggie Sanders Spantanburg Methodist College
Sanders was actually selected in the 7th round with the 180th overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds
Dodgers Actual Selection: P Dan Opperman Valley HSOpperman injured his arm and never made the big leagues. The Dodgers certainly would rather get some major league production with the ability to do it again. The 1995 all-star was the 5th member of baseball's 300-300 club. Sanders has 300+ steals and 300+ home runs in his MLB career. He actually played OF as a pro and not SS, but the Giants are just thrilled to have the guy. Reggie Sanders was one heck of a baseball player for a very long time.
9 Kansas City Royals
Select: P Pete Harnisch Fordham
Harnisch was actually selected with the 27th overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles
Royals Actual Selection: P Kevin Appier Antelope Valley College
With Harnisch selected here by the Royals, at least he couldn't have been traded for Glenn Davis....This does not work out quite as well for the Royals, but Harnisch was a very effective Major League Starter. He was never Appier level, but he was good. Harnisch was a 1991 all-star after being traded to Houston for Glenn Davis. He would finish with 111 career wins and 1,368 strikeouts to go with a 3.89 ERA.
10 San Diego Padres
Select: P Daryl Kile Chaffey College
Kile was actually selected in the 30th round with the 782nd overall pick by the Houston Astros
Padres Actual Selection: P Kevin Garner Texas
The Padres were not wrong to want a starting pitcher as their pitching (other than closer) could have been much better in the 90s. Their selection was wrong though and there was a guy that wouldn't be picked until 772 picks later that could have done a much better job. Daryl Kile won 133 games and had 1,668 strikeouts over his career. He had a 4.12 ERA which was very respectable during that era. Kile was brilliant his entire career, all the way up to his tragic death in 2002.
11 Oakland Athletics
Select: P Robb Nen Los Alamitos HS
Nen was actually selected in the 32nd round with the 831st pick by the Texas Rangers
A's Actual Selection: OF Lee Tinsley Shelby County HS
Lee Tinsley had 13 career home runs and made a decent impact as a reserve at the big league level. However, with the 11th pick of the draft you got to get more production. A better selection here, could have extended the Bash Brothers title window. Here the A's select power pitcher Robb Nen to set up and eventually replace Dennis Eckersley. With Nen, the A's could have really shortened the game. The three time all-star had a 2.98 ERA and 314 career saves. Nen really made an impact in the game of baseball.
12 Montreal Expos
Select: C Brad Ausmus Cheshire HS
Ausmus was actually selected in the 48th round with the 1,152nd pick by the New York Yankees
Expos Actual Selection: SS Delino Deshields Seaford Senior HS
Deshields was an incredibly productive pro, but knowing the team would be moving from Montreal, the Expos decide to go in a different direction. The team never had a stud catcher, but they always had good hitters. Ausmus meanwhile played in the MLB longer than any of the 1,151 players selected before him in the draft. He was a great catcher that won 3 gold gloves and he made the all-star game in 1999. Ausmus would have been a great selection for the Expos at 12.
13 Milwaukee Brewers
Select: C Todd Hundley William Fremd HS
Hundley was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 39th overall pick by the New York Mets
Brewers Actual Selection: SS Bill Spiers Clemson
There were a lot worse picks than Spiers who was decent and accumulated 37 HRs and 388 RBIs. You need more production out of that #13 pick though. Good catchers are hard to find and the Brewers had the chance to get a really good catcher. This guy had some pop too hitting 202 HRs and driving in 599 runs during his career. Hundley was a two time all-star catcher and would have been a phenomenal pick for the Brewers at 13.
14 St. Louis Cardinals
Select: OF Jeff Conine UCLA
Conine was actually selected in the 58th round with the 1,226th pick by the Kansas City Royals.
Cardinals Actual Selection: P Cris Carpenter UGA
This Cris Carpenter is not to be confused with the dominant Chris Carpenter that pitched for the Cardinals in the 2000s and won a Cy Young. Cris Carpenter was a solid relief pitcher, but nothing special as a player. It's amazing that they could have selected a far better player 1,112 picks later. Conine is known as Mr. Marlin and it is for everything he did to help the Marlins win two championships. The two time all-star had a wonderful career and his 1,000+ RBIs could have really helped the St. Louis organization.
15 Baltimore Orioles (compensation for C Rick Dempsey)
Select: SS Delino Deshields Seaford Senior HS
Deshields was actually selected with the 12th overall pick by the Montreal Expos.
Orioles Actual Selection: P Brad Duvall Virginia Tech
The Orioles go with their second shortstop of the re-draft in picking Deshields. Delino Deshields was a very productive baseball player and a sparkplug for the many teams he played on. He actually played for the Orioles from 1999-2001, but he wasn't quite the same player that he was early on in his career. With 476 career steals, Deshields was always a threat on the basepaths. The local product would have looked very good in black and orange early in his career. Can you imagine Deshields at 2B, Ripken at SS, and Fryman at 3B. That infield would have been a dream for any pitcher. This redraft would have allowed it to happen.
16 San Francisco Giants
Select: OF Ray Lankford Modesto Junior College
Lankford was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 72nd overall selection by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Giants Actual Selection: P Mike Remlinger Dartmouth
We are on a little run of position players in this redraft. Ray Lankford is just too good of a value here at 16 to pass up. The Giants choose to select Cardinals Hall of Famer Ray Lankford in the redraft. Lankford's 238 career homeruns and outstanding defense would have fit in well for San Fran. Tremendous value at pick 16. Remlinger was actually a really solid pro, but he wasn't at Lankford's level.
17 Toronto Blue Jays
Select: OF Derek Bell King HS
Bell was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 49th overall pick by the Blue Jays
Blue Jays Actual Selection: P Alex Sanchez UCLA
Alex Sanchez was never a big deal as a pro, but Derek Bell was. Bell was big time player as a pro and the Blue Jays couldn't risk waiting until the 2nd round in the redraft. The outfielder hit 134 career home runs and he was a key part of the Blue Jays 1992 World Series team.
18 Cincinnati Reds
Select: P Jack Armstrong Oklahoma
Armstrong was the Reds actual selection.
There are players that had more productive careers than Armstrong that went later than him. However, Armstrong was lights out in 1990 where he started for the NL in the all-star game and was a key component for the World Series Champion Reds. Without Armstrong, they likely would not have won that championship and he needs to be the selection in the re-draft.
19 Texas Rangers
Select: P Dave Burba Ohio State
Burba was actually selected in the 2nd round with the 33rd overall pick by the Seattle Mariners
Rangers Actual Selection: P Brian Bohanon North Shore HS
Dave Burba was a solid MLB starter for quite a long time pitching for 14 seasons in the big leagues. He went 115-87 over the course of his career. That career allowed Burba to accumulate 1,398 strikeouts. Keeping him away from the rival Mariners is also a big deal for Texas.
20 Detroit Tigers (compensation for Lance Parrish)
Select: OF Troy O'Leary Cypress HS
O'Leary was actually selected in the 13th round with the 331st overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tigers Actual Selection: C Bill Henderson Westminster Christian School
Troy O'Leary was a successful pro that hit .274 for his career with 127 HRs and 591 RBIs. Ideally, you would want a little more value at #20 overall, but O'Leary had a good career and would have been a much better pick here at 20.
21 Detroit Tigers
Select: P Jaime Navarro Miami-Dade College
Navarro was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 71st overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Tigers Actual Selection: OF Steve Pegues Pontotoc HS
Jaime Navarro was a solid major league starting pitcher. He had a career record of 116-126 and carried a 4.72 ERA. As a solid starter for 11 seasons, Navarro is a good innings eater and would have been a big improvement over OF Pegues.
22 Houston Astros
Select: P Mike Timlin Southwestern
Timlin was actually selected in the 5th round with the 127th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Astros Actual Selection: C Craig Biggio Seton Hall
Mike Timlin had a career record of 75-73, carried a 3.63 ERA, and had 141 career saves. He wasn't a bad MLB player. A player like him at 22 is something you can live with. The Astros get screwed here in the redraft though, losing the Hall of Famer in Biggio. This is one of the worst outcomes for a franchise in any of the redrafts I have done so far. Judging by how much everyone hates the Astros though right now, I don't think anyone minds.
23 Texas Rangers (compensation for Gary Ward)
Select: Mike Stanton 68-63 3.92 ERA, 895 Ks
Rangers Actual Selection: C Bill Hasselman UCLA
Hasselman was at lest able to make it to the majors unlike a lot of other guys in this draft. He didn't have any sustained success though and wasn't at Stanton's level. Mike Stanton was mainly a reliever, buy went 68-63 with a 3.92 ERA and 895 Ks. He had a lot of success with the Yankees at the end of the 20th century and helped them win 3 rings. Texas sees those 3 rings now and definitely selects someone that can possibly help them get one now. Crazy thing is, the Rangers actually had Stanton in 1996 and they let him sign with New York. A move they would gladly take back now.
24 New York Mets
Select: P Mike Remlinger Dartmouth
Remlinger was actually selected with the 16th overall pick by the San Francisco Giants.
Mets Actual Selection: 3B Chris Donnels Loyola Marymount
Mike Remlinger had a decent career with 55 wins, a 3.90 ERA, 854 Ks, and 20 saves. Though his career was short, it was effective and better than the one that Chris Donnels had.
25 California Angels
Select: C Darrin Fletcher Illinois
Fletcher was actually selected in the 6th round with the 144th overall pick by the Dodgers.
Angels Actual Selection: C John Orton Cal Poly
All-Star catchers don't grow on trees. Darrin Fletcher, the 1994 all-star, had 124 career HRs and 583 career RBIs. He was a far more productive pro catcher than Orton and would have been a wonderful pick for the Angels at 25.
26 Boston Red Sox
Select: P Mark Guthrie LSU
Guthrie was actually selected in the 7th round with the 165th overall pick by the Minnesota Twins
Red Sox Actual Selection: P Reggie Harris Imperial Valley
Boston gets a better pitcher that went 6 rounds later by selecting Mark Guthrie here. He never lit the world on fire, but he had production as a pro. Over his career, he was 51-54 with a 4.05 ERA. Guthrie helped the Twins win the World Series in 1991 and by providing a reliable arm, could have helped the Red Sox maybe get one sooner.
27 Baltimore Orioles (supplemental)
Select: P Steve Olin Portland State
Olin was actually selected in the 16th round with the 411th overall pick by the Indians.
Orioles Actual Selection: P Pete Harnisch Fordham
Losing out on Pete Harnisch is unfortunate, but at least now he would have never been traded for Glenn Davis. Besides a 1st round draft class of Fryman, Deshields, and Olin is far better than just getting Harnisch. This team would have been in much better position with this draft instead. As for this pick, Steve Olin was on a roll in his career with a 3.10 ERA to go with 48 saves. Unfortunately, his career was cut tragically short by a boating accident in 1993 or he could have put up some special stats. Hopefully in an alternate universe, that boating accident would never happen. Steve Olin was really good and could have been a name baseball fans everywhere remembered.
28 Montreal Expos (supplemental)
Select: P Butch Henry El Paso HS
Henry was actually selected in the 15th round with the 388th overall pick by the Reds
Expos Actual Selection: OF Tyrone Kingwood Imperial Valley
Henry is another guy that had a decent MLB career. He went 33-33 with a 3.83 ERA and 345 career strikeouts. His career was cut short by injuries, but he helped the Expos in 1994 by going 8-3 with a 2.43 ERA and they definitely look to select him here over Kingwood.
29 Texas Rangers (supplemental)
Select: OF John Vander Wal Western Mchigan
Vander Wal was actually selected in the 3rd round with the 70th overall pick by the Expos
Rangers Actual Selection: P Mark Petkovsek Texas
John Vander Wal was a solid big leaguer for quite a few seasons. He had a career batting average of .261, he hit 97 HRs and had 430 RBIs. Not an elite 1st rounder by any means, but far better than Petkovsek.
30 Detroit Tigers (supplemental)
Select: P Mike Harkey Cal State Fullerton
Harkey was actually selected with the 4th overall pick by the Chicago Cubs
Tigers Actual Selection: SS Travis Fryman JM Tate HS
Mike Harkey was a decent pitcher going 36-36 with a 4.49 ERA and 316 career Ks. He wasn't a 1st rounder though in most drafts and definitely wasn't the player Fryman was for the Tigers. However, in the redraft, Fryman is long gone and the Tigers are stuck with Harkey.
31 California Angels (supplemental)
Select: 3B Ron Coomer Taft College
Coomer was actually selected in the 14th round with the 355th overall pick by the Oakland A's
Angels Actual Selection: P David Holdridge Ocean View HS
Ron Coomer was much better than the majority of first rounders despite being selected in the 14th round. The 1999 all-star hit .274 over his career with 92 HRs and 449 RBI. That production would be welcome this late in the 1st round.
32 Boston Red Sox (supplemental)
Select: 3B Dave Hollins Southern Cal
Hollins was actually selected in the 6th round with the 146th overall pick by the San Diego Padres
Red Sox Actual Selection: OF Bob Zupcic Oral Roberts
Dave Hollins had 112 HRs and 482 RBIs. He was no slouch. He had a far better career than Zupcic. This redraft has Hollins going 5 rounds earlier. The 1993 all-star played 12 years in the big leagues including a stint with the Red Sox in 1995. Knowing what they know now, they look to get him into the fold a bit sooner for that awesome production early on.
- Noland
