2012 Draft Rankings

[Deleted]

Disclaimer: I hate making decisions, so this was hard for me. I based my rankings/grades on trying to take everything into account. If you had only low picks and made great use of those low picks, you would get a better grade then someone who got good players at the beginning of the draft but didn't make good use of their later picks. In other words it made it difficult to rank. So don't take it personally considering this was all my opinion, which means absolutely nothing. Enjoy!


30. Milwaukee Brewers – Grade N/A

No Picks

GRADE C+

29. Detroit Tigers – Grade C+
2.13 - Kevin Matthews, 3.30 - Cory Mazzoni, 5.15 - James McCann

The Rangers seem to believe in Kevin Matthews but I see him more as a reliever, but I also don’t get paid to do this stuff. Good defensive catcher in McCann but as with most catchers, can he hit? Not too much here from the Tigers. Grade C+

28. Houston Astros – Grade C+
2.3 – Joe Panik, 3.3 – Tom Milone, 3.19 – Oscar Hernandez, 3.28 – Tim Federowicz, 4.3 – Logan Bawcom, 4.28 – Kyle McPherson

Joe Panik could turn into a very good fantasy player at a scarce position. Nice pick in the 2nd round. Tom Milone doesn’t have much upside but will probably have decent career. If Oscar Hernandez can translate from the Venezuelan league well that could be a great pick. Outside of Joe Panik there wasn’t too much to get excited about so I gave a Grade C+.

27. Tampa Bay Rays – Grade C+
1.18 - Javier Baez, 2.18 - Jorge Lopez, 3.18 - Nick Maronde, 4.15 - Ryan O'Sullivan, 4.18 - Michael Clevinger, 5.18 - Matthew Skole

I think Baez will end up at a corner spot but he can hit and is still a good pick. Jorge Lopez was a solid pick. I think the later picks were dragging behind the rest though. Grade C+

26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Grade C+
1.21 - Jonathan Schoop, 3.21 - Alex Dickerson, 3.25 - Carl Thomore, 4.19 - Lenny Linsky, 4.21 - Madison Boer, 5.21 - Jack Leathersich

I like Schoop as a MI with a chance to hit. Linksy will be valuable if he can get the closer job. Dickerson and Thomore could be solid picks. I think the back end of the draft was loaded with more reliever types. Grade C+

25. New York Yankees - Grade C+
2.10 - Matt Purke, 3.10 - Bryan Brickhouse, 5.10 - Gabriel Rosa

If Matt Purke, who would have been a first rounder last season, proves to be healthy he can turn into a nice pick for the Yankees. I am not too confident with him though. Brickhouse, coming from the land of trophy wives, as well as Drabek, Goldschmidt and Taillon, could turn into a decent pitcher. Nothing stands out too much. Grade C+

24. Miami Marlins – Grade C+
1.14 - Matt Barnes, 2.14 - Hisashi Iwakuma, 3.14 - Logan Schafer, 4.14 - Didi Gregorius, 5.14 - Josh Sisco

I like Matt Barnes, but 14 may seem a little early.. I’m not sure Iwakuma will translate well and already at age 31 for this season. Sisco has good upside. I think this draft could have been a lot better though. Grade C+

23. Chicago White Sox – Grade C+
1.6 – George Springer, 2.6 – Levi Michael

I really hope George Springer pans out as an Astros fan. Considering the pick fell in the Ed Wade era I don’t have much hope. Not sure I would have taken Springer over the available Killer B’s (Bradley/Bundy/Bell). Levi Michael could turn into a very useful fantasy player with his speed, especially if he sticks at a MI position. Decent draft for the White Sox. Grade C+

22. Baltimore Orioles - Grade C+
1.26 - Blake Swihart, 3.2 - Tyler Anderson

I think Swihart has the chance to stick at catcher and be a decent hitter, but catchers seem to be harder to predict than pitchers. Tyler Anderson looks to have the ceiling of a #3 starter, I don’t really understand the LoMo trade to get him, but outside of that he was a solid pick in the 3rd. Grade C+

21. San Francisco Giants – Grade C+
1.11 - CJ Cron, 1.13 - Alex Meyer, 2.21 – Zach Cone, 3.6 – Anthony Meo, 3.13 – Andrew Susac, 4.2 – BA Vollmuth, 4.6 – Scott Van Slyke, 4.10 – Ricky Oropresa, 5.6 – Jack Armstrong, 5.26 – Ivan Rodriguez

I think the best move of the draft by the Giants was acquiring Logan Morrison for a 3rd round pick, but I am not including that in the grade. CJ Cron is a masher. My gut says some trades will have to happen for him to have a place to play in LA considering he is probably a DH. A lot of power bats and some upside players taken. I liked the Susac pick in the 3rd round. Pudge’s son was an intriguing pick. If Slyke can hit in the majors anywhere close to what he did this year he will be a great pick. Based just on his draft though I think there was a lot of room for improvement, Grade C+

GRADE B-

20. Oakland Athletics – Grade B-
1.5 – Danny Hultzen, 3.5 – Austin Hedges

Not much here but Hultzen has a high floor and should be a good pitcher. Austin Hedges could be an incredible defensive catcher, but will he hit enough to be valuable in fantasy? Not much here to grade but anytime you get a high floor guy like Hultzen you had a decent draft, just lacking the upside. Grade B-

19. Colorado Rockies – Grade B-
2.23 - Henry Owens, 3.23 Jacob Anderson, 4.8 - Jackie Bradley, 4.23 - Tony Cingrani, 5.23 - Brandon Drury

Rockies had a lot of high upside players, but with it comes a lot of risk. This draft could turn out nicely, but it may take awhile to see it. Grade B-

18. Boston Red Sox – Grade B-
2.12 - Robert Stephenson, 3.16 - Joey Terdoslavich, 4.12 - Elier Hernandez, 4.22 - Kelvin Herrera

I like the Stephenson and Hernandez picks. I’m not much of a Terdoslavich believer, but it was worth it because it pissed off Swo. Herrera has good potential as a relief guy. Nothing too spectacular in this draft. Grade B-

17. Cincinnati Reds - Grade B-
1.29 - Chris Reed, 2.16 - Ravel Santana, 4.29 - Shawon Dunston Jr, 5.29 - Matt West

I am not a big fan of the Chris Reed pick in the first, a former reliever moving to starting without that much upside. Ravel Santana has a ton of upside but of course high risk. Dunston was a solid pick in the late 4th. I also like the Matt West pick, reminds of Jason Motte a few years ago converting to pitching with great results. Grade B-

16. St. Louis Cardinals – Grade B-
1.22 - Taylor Jungmann, 2.22 - Ronald Guzman, 3.15 - Matt Dean, 3.22 - Juan Oramas, 3.26 - Felix Starling, 3.27 - Alex Santana, 4.26 - Ryan Carpenter

Taylor Jungmann was a solid pick with a decent floor. I like the Guzman and Dean picks. Some raw players taken at the end. Nothing stands out as great but solid picks all around. Grade B-

GRADE B

15. Texas Rangers – Grade B
1.27 - Jed Bradley, 1.30 - Brian Goodwin, 5.24 - Granden Goetzman, 5.27 - Joe Musgrove, 5.28 - Roman Quinn

The Rangers went with 3 solid high upside picks in the late 5th round with Goetzman, Musgrove and Quinn. Goetzman in a normal draft year would have probably been a first rounder. Bradley was a solid pick in the late 1st. If Goodwin turns out to be a 20/20 player, that would be a great pickup in the late 1st. Rangers made good use of their picks but nothing spectacular and decent upside. Grade B

14. New York Mets –Grade B
4.5 - Charlie Tilson, 4.25 - Travis Harrison, 5.16 - Jace Peterson

I think Travis Harrison was a great pick this late in the draft. Peterson and Tilson were also interesting picks. Solid draft for the Mets with only late picks, a lot of upside. Grade B

13. Los Angeles Dodgers - Grade B
1.1 – Anthony Rendon, 2.1 – Drew Hutchinson, 3.1 – Brian Dozier, 4.1 – Paul Clemens

A year ago some scouts were saying they would rather have Anthony Rendon than Bryce Harper. I doubt they still feel that way, but Rendon will still be a very good player if he can stay healthy. An even better fantasy player if the move to 2B happens. Drew Hutchinson was a great pick to start off the 2nd round, though I think without much upside. Dozier reminds me of Skip Schumaker with a little more speed, which can be a very valuable asset. Dozier is one not to SLEEP on. Paul Clemens was another solid pick, except for the part that he is an Astro and is probably doomed to fail. I think the Dodgers made great use of their picks. I give a B for good solid picks but lacking the upside outside of Rendon.

12. San Diego Padres – Grade B
1.17 - Sonny Gray, 2.11 - Mason Williams, 2.20 Andrew Chafin, 2.26 - Trevor Rosenthal 5.17.4 – Steve Lombardozzi

I really like the Mason Williams pick. It could turn out to be one of the better picks in the draft. I don’t like the Sonny Gray pick in the mid-first because I just don’t think he has quite the upside as other players that could have been drafted, although he probably has a decent floor. I am more under the belief in trying to snag top of the rotation starters if taking a pitcher in the 1st. Chafin and Rosenthal were solid picks in the late 2nd though. Grade B

11. Seattle Mariners – Grade B
1.8 – Dylan Bundy, 1.23 – Nestor Molina, 3.8 - Alfredo Silverio, 3.12 - Parker Markel, 5.8 – Michael Fiers, 5.25 - Hudson Boyd

I think nabbing Bundy at 8 was a steal, but most players that could have fallen to him I probably would have felt the same way. I’m not sure I see Nestor as more then a #4 starter so the 1st might be a little early, and Nestor is just a terrible first name. I think Alfredo is most likely destined for a 4th outfielder type. Fiers will help soon and the 5th round was a good place for him without much upside. Markel was a decent pick. Hudson Boyd was a steal at the end of the draft. Best picks were the Bundy and Boyd picks. This was a hard grade because I didn’t like the Molina/Silverio picks but I think other picks made up for it to give a Grade B.

10. Philadelphia Phillies - Grade B
1.4 – Bubba Starling, 2.4 – Trevor Story, 3.4 – Jason Esposito, 4.4 – Glynn Davis, 5.4 – Matt Summers

The Phillies got 2 potential 5 tool stars in Bubba Starling and Trevor Story. If Jason Esposito can hit for a good average with that power he will be a nice addition. Glynn Davis could turn into something special with his speed. Summers was an intriguing pick as well. Great draft for the Phillies with high upside picks. Grade B

GRADE B+

9. Los Angeles Angels – Grade B+
3.9 - Julio Rodriguez, 4.9 - John Hellweg, 5.2 - Dwight Smith Jr.

This is a draft I really liked. Not many picks but great use was made of them. Hellweg has a high ceiling and was a great pick in the 4th. I also think Dwight Smith could become a very useful fantasy player. Great Draft by the Angels with limited late picks. Grade B+

8. Atlanta Braves - Grade B+
1.20 - Jusin Nicolino, 3.20 - Joc Pederson, 4.20 - Christian Villanueva, 5.20 - Tyler Austin

Swo had a good draft? I think I messed up somewhere and probably need to start over. I can’t believe I am saying this, but I liked all of the Braves picks. Grade B+

7. Pittsburgh Pirates – Grade B+
2.2- Jose Campos, 2.17 - Dillon Howard, 3.17 - Heath Hembree, 4.13 - Adonys Cardona, 5.13 - Yoan Alcantara

I really liked the pitchers the Pirates took here. I think Campos could be good. I like Howard, Hembree, and Cardona as well. Hembree could be next in line to close soon. If Yoan is anywhere close to his reported age he could be a really nice pick. Solid draft for the Pirates. Grade B+

6. Toronto Blue Jays – Grade B+
1.2 - Gerrit Cole, 1.15 - Cory Spangenberg, 2.8 - Brandon Nimmo, 2.27 - Dan Vogelbach, 3.29 - Tyler Goeddel, 4.24 - Tommy La Stella, 4.27 - Brad Miller, 5.1 - Jake Hager, 5.9 - Tyler Collins, 5.22 - Tom Wilhelmsen

I didn’t want to give myself a grade because I am naturally biased, but I tried to be fair.

GRADE A-

5. Cleveland Indians – Grade A-
1.7 – Archie Bradley, 2.7 – Jose Fernandez, 3.7 – Kyle Crick, 4.7 – Bryan Shaw, 5.7 – Jordan Akins

I really liked the Indians draft. Three potential very good pitchers in Bradley, Fernandez, and Crick. Then he picked up Bryan Shaw who should be a very effective reliever soon with a good chance to close. To top it off he picked up Jordan Akins in the 5th, who probably has the best tools in a very deep Rangers system. Grade A-

4. Chicago Cubs – Grade A-
1.19 - Rymer Liriano, 2.28 - Robbie Grossman, 4.17 - Jordany Valdespin, 5.5 - Ronald Torreyes, 5.19 - Javy Guerra, 5.30 - Eric Arce

The Cubs led the pack in taking players that already had experience. Picked up Rymer Liriano on the Rangers mistake. Ronald Torreyes of course gets the Altuve/Pedroia comparison like every tiny hitting MI we will see for the next 40 years. He snuck a closer in the 5th round, in what has been dubbed “the pick of the draft” in Javy Guerra. Grossman was a good find. Valdespin could turn into a nice player in the majors. Arce is also an intriguing pick. An unorthodox draft, but a very good one for the Cubs. Grade A-

3. Kansas City Royals – Grade A-
1.3 - Trevor Bauer, 2.5 - Mikie Mahtook, 2.15 - Joe Ross, 2.30 - Sean Gilmartin, 4.16 - Sean Coyle

I hate to feed the already enormous ego, but this was a great draft. Had a great second round getting Mahtook, Ross, and Gilmartin. I didn’t expect Mahtook to fall out of the first round so a great pick there. I like Gilmartin at the end of the 2nd who doesn’t have the upside of Ross but should be a solid pick. Ross could be a very good pitcher. Coyle looks like he can stick at 2B and the Power/Speed combo could be very nice at an MI position, especially if he can improve the average. Throw Bauer on top of that and this was a very good draft. I’m going with an A-.

2. Washington Nationals – Grade A-
1.9 - Josh Bell, 1.10 - Kolton Wong, 1.16 - Leonys Martin, 1.24 - Daniel Norris, 2.9 - Daniel Corcino, 2.25 - Tyler Thornburg, 3.11 - Larry Greene, 3.24 - Dillon Maples, 4.11 - Dylan Axelrod, 5.3 - Nick Ramirez

Josh Bell was the best available with the #9 pick. I think Wong will be a good MI in the majors but not great. I don’t believe in the bat of Leonys. I really like the Corcino, Thornburg, Greene and Norris picks. Axelrod could be a solid innings eater right away and Maples has decent upside. I think what made this draft for the Nats were those middle 4 picks. Definitely one of the best drafts overall in terms of amount of talent acquired. A-

1. Minnesota Twins - Grade A-
1.12 - Francisco Lindor, 1.25 - Taylor Guerrieri, 1.28 - Dante Bichette Jr., 2.19 - Jorge Alfaro, 2.24 - Rougned Odor, 2.29 - Taylor Lindsey, 4.30 - Nick Delmonico, 5.12 - Michael Fulmer

I think any of the A- grades I could have put anywhere in the Top 5, but in the end I decided on the Twins. Lindor is a potential steal at 12. Guerrieri, potential steal at 25. When you are called “The Legend” that can’t be a bad pick in the 2nd round right? Finished off the round with two good MI prospects. The Delmonico pick could be a steal in the late 4th. Fulmer was a good pick for the 5th. Great draft for the Twins. I have to go with an A-

[Giants GM (Adkins)]

good job man, a lot of time in that. although the SF Giants were robbed with a C+ ;D I drafted Van Slyke not the Chi Sox.
good work J

[Deleted]

Oops. Fixed

[Giants GM (Adkins)]

cool that this will be here to see in 3-4 years to review

[KC Royals GM (Kevin)]

very nice writeup

what ego?!

lol

I think the Cubs get a straight A just for that Guerra pick and the rest of his picks were pretty solid. Also I like the Padres draft a lot, but I do like the Gray pick and hated the Chafin pick. Chafin had reports of high 80's FB's in instructs, his stock has gone down since being drafted while Gray's has gone up, showing 3 quality pitches in his short milb stint. Besides that I agree with much of what you posted. 3 AL Central teams in the top 5? This might get interesting.

[Deleted]

Great write-up and analysis... it is terrific that you take the time and effort to put something like this together... be interesting to see a re-grade after 3 or 4 years.

[Mets GM (barnstormers)]

Nice job Blue Jay. We all appreciate the time and work you guys put into this stuff. I personally would like to thank you for the B grade the Mets received since my first few draft ratings reminded me more of my High School transcripts. Low D's and Incompletes.

[The Ghost of Swo]

Kevin, I get the impression that in prospects you prefer a higher floor, over the high upside guy. Obviously there are times where the ceiling is so high that the floor isnt as important, but in general is that accurate?

Just something I noticed

[The Ghost of Swo]

Also, thank you very much Jordan, great writeup, you keep this up we might have to create a permanent draft reviewer position for you.

Also, thanks for the praise, I was as stunned as everyone the players i took were actually good, I did my usual strategy of randomly picking guys out of a hat, this time it must have worked.

[KC Royals GM (Kevin)]

Feb 14, 2012 9:55:11 GMT -5 The Ghost of Swo said:

Kevin, I get the impression that in prospects you prefer a higher floor, over the high upside guy. Obviously there are times where the ceiling is so high that the floor isnt as important, but in general is that accurate?

Just something I noticed

what's wrong with having guys with a high floor and high upside?

i think you are really dwelling on that Gilmartin pick with this comment

[Cubs GM (Scott B)]

great write up, thanks for doing this.
Just realized that i did not take a single 2011 draftee...

[The Ghost of Swo]

Feb 14, 2012 10:10:00 GMT -5 KC Royals GM (Kevin) said:

Feb 14, 2012 9:55:11 GMT -5 The Ghost of Swo said:

Kevin, I get the impression that in prospects you prefer a higher floor, over the high upside guy. Obviously there are times where the ceiling is so high that the floor isnt as important, but in general is that accurate?

Just something I noticed

what's wrong with having guys with a high floor and high upside?

i think you are really dwelling on that Gilmartin pick with this comment

It certainly wasnt a critique of your strategy and the Gilmartin thing was on my mind a bit, but there are other instances (which I can't recall off the top of my head)

[Giants GM (Adkins)]

I think this whole list is a conspiracy against the SF Giants with Jordan as the key figure head with fiscal aid coming from Fidel Castro, with the addition of "war tactic intelligence" coming from other numerous CM members. ;D A team with really 1 pick has a higher draft grade than me? cmon.
Jordan-I will retaliate by stopping the UPS man from delivering your nude dustin ackley "action figure" that you have been impatienly expecting in the mail. Fidel and the others will have to wait for retaliation but i'm coming for you too!

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!!

[The Ghost of Swo]

YES, finally someone with a bone to pick with the rankings...no holds bar bareknuckle boxing fight, behind the cafeteria after lunch, let's go.

[The Ghost of Swo]

Also, this is why we have a firm (ish) policy of not trading draft picks to theTwins (although I think I violated that this year)

[Deleted]

Well It was honestly harder to have a good grade with more picks because you had more room to make what I deemed "mistakes." And I'm very picky. You had several good picks, but also several picks I decided were "mistakes." This term is very loose because it is not really a mistake. I did not take into consideration state of teams and their needs either.

And just for the record... I'm the polar opposite of a communist. You picked the wrong guy as my financial support. Maybe someone along the line of those evil Koch brothers. Though Im not telling my real supplier.

[Giants GM (Adkins)]

I was going to put Stephen Harper (canada's PM) but i didnt think anyone would know who he is.

[Deleted]

I thought Canada was run by Mounties.

[The Ghost of Swo]

I wasn't unaware Canada has a government, or a populace, I assumed it was just moose and hockey rinks.

[The Ghost of Swo]

On the Mahtook pick, I really thought about taking him at 20 in the first, because i need offense more than anything in my system, but decided it was like 5-7 picks too early for him and abided by Best Player Available.

[KC Royals GM (Kevin)]

Feb 14, 2012 16:55:30 GMT -5 The Ghost of Swo said:

On the Mahtook pick, I really thought about taking him at 20 in the first, because i need offense more than anything in my system, but decided it was like 5-7 picks too early for him and abided by Best Player Available.

it was funny becuse i sent ty a list before i left for vacation with like 7 or 8 guys on it and i was maybe 10-12 picks away from my pick but mahtook was the #1 guy on my list and was still there when i picked

[Deleted]

Nice write up. I however can not take credit for two of the four picks. Santana in the 2nd was a Twins pick I believe and Dunston Jr. was a Yankees pick.

I do like my pick of West with the next to last pick of the draft and Reed, well......I simply didn't do too much work leading up to this draft and I took the highest player left that was taken in the real life MLB draft.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the write-up. Nicely done. Tough draft for a first-timer.

[D Backs GM (Tyler)]

Feb 14, 2012 16:55:30 GMT -5 The Ghost of Swo said:

On the Mahtook pick, I really thought about taking him at 20 in the first, because i need offense more than anything in my system, but decided it was like 5-7 picks too early for him and abided by Best Player Available.

I agree, it was him or Schoop for me right after you as well.

[The Ghost of Swo]

Ya and I already told you Schoop was really high on my list, it basically came down to him or Nicolino.

[Deleted]

Nice write up, that took a lot of time! Thanks!