2015 Draft Preview

I've already warned you that I'm not too confident about any of these picks. But you've asked so you shall receive. 

1) Jose Abreu- Nassau

This one is easy enough. Lucas Duda will move back to outfield to accommodate Abreu at  first this season. Assuming the two of them put up their expected seasons in 2015, Nassau will eventually have to make a choice between the two as I don't expect Duda to receive any more OF time going forward.

 2) Jorge Soler- Evanston 

Evanston traded both Xander Bogaerts and James Shields for the right to this pick and this is one of the very few predictions I am sure of. Soler impressed in his brief Cubs debut and although the strikeout rate is a little high the soon-to-be 23 year old has power for days. 

 3) Gregory Polanco- Vero Beach

This is an unusual spot for David Gandy as Vero Beach's first losing season in history nets them a top three pick. Luckily they can use this to infuse some young talent to an aging team. Polanco lit up AAA in 2014 and although it didn't yet translate to the big leagues he has all the tools to believe in him as at least a regular in the lineup. 

 4) Masahiro Tanaka- Washington 

The rich get richer. The perennial powerhouse Booze Hounds has a couple options here but either way they should land an impact player. Although Tanaka dazzled in the Bronx, questions surround his shoulder injury and if he can avoid damaging it again while still putting up similar numbers in 2015. Despite that and the other options available, Tanaka is the best get here at #4.

 5) Mookie Betts- Halifax

Halifax has a second base opening and Betts is probably the top player on the board here. The question is how much second base will Betts play in Boston. He likely will play a little bit of everything giving Halifax some flexibility going forward as long as he can continue to hit. So far, he's excelled at every level he's been at, including his 2014 MLB debut..  

 6) George Springer, Oahu

His 33% strikeout may scare some people away but Springer sure has some power. Before a leg injury ended his MLB season, Springer hit 20 homers with just under 300 AB. While he may not continue that pace over a full season, his average should go up, and his considerable upside and potential should make him the newest Glorius Wonder outfielder.

 7) Billy Hamilton, Spokane

If there is one player who fits Spokane's profile, it's Billy. He is already a top defensive outfielder and is obviously a fantastic baserunner who will challenge Jarrod Dyson for the TBA stolen base title this year. The speedster's big question mark is if he can hit enough. The key seems to be if Hamilton can cut down on his number of fly balls. I'm betting Larry Hill will take the chance that he can.

 8) Yordano Ventura, Canfield

Ventura can flat out throw. His fastball is consistently in the upper-90's and he reached a maximum of 101.9 mph in his brief 2013. The talent is there and Canfield certainly needs to add some starting pitching to the roster. Ventura seems to be the perfect fit.

 9) Jacob deGrom, Bowling Green

The Bowlers have been trying to rebuild for a number of years but the injury bug keeps knocking their top picks out of action, Jurickson Profar the latest victim. Although that has pushed their team back a bit, the talent base is still there and they can add to it with the reigning NL ROY deGrom. Although deGrom is already 26 years old, this team could quickly turn their fortune around if they can get full seasons from everyone and deGrom would be an excellent addition to a rotation already featuring Max Scherzer, Tanner Roark, and Jake Odorizzi.

 10) JD Martinez, Kansas City

This may seem a little high for what is likely a career-best year, but Kansas City has a team that can compete today and Martinez would fill a hole with his big bat this season. My projections have KCB entering the draft as the third-best EML team. Martinez would give the team a top hitter overall and would push them up to the second-best team in the league.

11) Javier Baez, Whiskey Island

Baez is one of the most difficult players to project in this draft. Many see the potential, many others see the strikeouts and find it difficult to the stardom others predict. Whiskey Island could use a starting pitcher here and I am probably the least confident about this pick than any other in the round, but it may be too hard to pass up on Baez' talent here.

12) Danny Santana, Washington

Washington becomes he first team with the two picks in the draft here at #12. They've been denied a chance to win another title for too many years and Santana would improve this year's team. Current shortstop Troy Tulowitzki may be on of the best players in the game but as always has injury concerns. Santana can fill in at SS for Tulo when necessary and also play some LF against RHP as well.

13) Nick Castellanos, Canfield

With Canfield's second pick of the draft, Castellanos would provide a young third baseman that they hope would beat out current 3B Matt Dominguez. He's far from a sure thing but he has enough offensive potential that he may stick as the starter for Detroit. 

14) Marcus Stroman, Brighton

With the first of two consecutive picks, Brighton can add an exciting young arm who could pitch out of the bullpen this year. Stroman's minor league numbers were terrific and impressed in the majors. I'm a big fan and believe Brighton would be ecstatic to add him at 14 if he doesn't get picked up by Whiskey Island first. 

15) Dellin Betances, Brighton

Yes he's a reliever. Although Brighton has declined a bit from previous years, they are still a likely playoff team and adding both Stroman and Betances to Joe Smith in the bullpen would give them a strong bullpen for October's late innings.

16) Taijuan Walker, Washington

I'm not in the business of predicting trades, but I would not be surprised to see someone else in this pick come draft time. If Washington does stay at #16, Walker is likely the best talent left on the board and would likely end up with the Booze Hounds.

17) Collin McHugh, London

Although London is usually pitching-heavy, they will need another starter this season. McHugh would be the top pitcher available for a team looking to get to their first TBA Championship.

18) Kevin Kiermaier, Colorado Springs

At this point in the draft, I have almost no idea. So why not Kiermaier? He's a potential gold glove outfielder so even if he doesn't hit like this going forward he still will provide value. He can immediately help in the outfield for another team with playoff and championship aspirations. 

19) Joe Panik, San Antonio

Panik is nothing special but Chase Utley is aging and Panik should provide a steady presence here for when Utley finally declines past the point of being a starting second baseman in the TBA. 

20) Andrew Heaney, Evanston

Similar to Colorado Springs pick, this could be anyone here. Although Panik would be a nice addition here if he lasted as they could use a second baseman, Heaney is a young starting pitcher to add to their stable of starting pitchers.

A couple of days left until we find out how poor these predictions turn out!