TOP 10 PERFORMERS OVERALL, 2006 DRAFT
COLLEGE CLASS |
|
Player,Pos., Team(Draft Round) |
College |
Accomplishment |
|
1. Evan Longoria, ss, Devil Rays(1) |
Long Beach State |
.315-18-58 at 3 levels, peaked in Double-A |
|
2. Cyle Hankerd,of,Diamondbacks(3) |
Southern California |
.381-12-61 in 72 G; Northwest League MVP |
|
3. Chris Valaika, ss, Reds(3) |
UC Santa Barbara |
.324-8-60 in 70G; Pioneer League MVP |
|
4. Chris Errecart, of, Brewers(5) |
California |
.361-13-61 in 70 G; led Pioneer League in RBIs |
|
5. Tim Lincecum, rhp, Giants(1) |
Washington |
2-0, 0.85 at 2 levels; 58 SO, only 14 H in 32 IP |
|
6. David Freese, 3b, Padres(9) |
South Alabama |
.317-13-70 in 71 G at 2 levels |
|
7. Jon Jay, of, Cardinals(2) |
Miami (Fla.) |
.324-3-45 in 60 G in Low A Midwest League |
|
8. Adam Cowart, rhp, Giants(35) |
Kansas State |
10-1, 1.08; led Northwest League in wins, ERA |
|
9. Chris Salamida, lhp, Astros (13) |
SUNY Oneonta |
10-1, 1.06; led New York-Penn in wins, ERA |
|
10. Emmanuel Burris, 2b, Giants (1) |
Kent State |
.307-1-27 in 65 G, 35 SB |
|
COMMENT: Longoria’s breakout summer overshadowed strong performances by several other top position prospects, notably Hankerd. The former USC product hit a resounding .384 to win the Northwest League batting title, then outslugged even Longoria in the Cal League by banging eight homers in 18 games. Longoria hit the same number of homers in 10 more games while at Visalia before being promoted to Double-A. Freese and Jay also excelled at the full-season Class A level. Meanwhile, the reluctance of clubs to commit high-profile pitchers to heavy workloads after they sign is evident in the makeup of this list. Lincecum is the only starting pitcher drafted in the first 12 rounds to truly distinguish himself this summer—and, at that, he worked in only 32 innings. But he was even more dominant at high Class A San Jose, striking out 48 in 28 innings (a rate of 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings) than he was in college in the spring, when he led the nation’s Division I pitchers with 199 strikeouts in 125 innings, an average of 14.3 per nine innings. |
TOP 10 PERFORMERS OVERALL, 2006 DRAFT
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS |
|
Player,Pos., Team(Draft Round) |
Hometown |
Accomplishment |
|
1. Travis Snider, of, Blue Jays (1) |
Mill Creek, Wash. |
.325-11-41 in 54 G; Appalachian League MVP |
|
2. Matt Sulentic, of, Athletics (3) |
Dallas |
.306-3-35 in 68 G in 2 Class A leagues |
|
3. Cedric Hunter, of, Padres (3) |
Decatur, Ga. |
.364-1-44 at 2 levels; Arizona League MVP |
|
4. Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Dodgers (1) |
Dallas |
2-0, 1.95, 5-54 BB-SO ratio in 37 IP in GCL |
|
5. Billy Rowell, 3b, Orioles (1) |
Sewell, N.J. |
.328-3-32 in 53 G at 2 levels |
|
6. Tony Butler, lhp, Mariners (3) |
Oak Creek, Wis. |
3-2, 2.72 with 77 SO in 56 IP at 2 levels |
|
7. Chris Parmelee, of, Twins (1) |
Chino Hills, Calif. |
.273-8-34 in 56 G at 2 levels |
|
8. Matt Sweeney, 3b, Angels (8) |
Rockville, Md. |
.341-5-39 in 44 G in Arizona League |
|
9. Adrian Cardenas, ss, Phillies (2) |
Miami Lakes, Fla. |
.318-2-21 in 41 G in Gulf Coast League |
|
10. Jason Place, of, Red Sox (1) |
Easley, S.C. |
.292-4-21 in 33 G in Gulf Coast League |
|
COMMENT: Snider and Sulentic were two of the premier high school bats in this year’s draft, and not surprisingly, they made a seamless transition to the pro game. Snider dominated the Rookie-level Appy League, while Sulentic hit a resounding .354-2-22 in 38 games in the short-season Class A Northwest League—a lofty assignment for a high school player—which earned him a stint in the Midwest League, an even rarer promotion for a prep talent. The other noteworthy accomplishment was turned in by Hunter, who hit .371 on his way to winning MVP honors in the Arizona League, which earned him a promotion to the Northwest League for the final week of the season. With clubs keeping an even tighter rein on the pitch counts of the premier high school arms than college pitchers, few starting pitchers made noteworthy debuts. Butler was a noteworthy exception. The Mariners gave him a heavy workload after he pitched sparingly in the spring because of basketball and the cold Wisconsin climate. |
|
CATCHER |
|
Player, Team(Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
1. Chad Tracy, Rangers (3) |
Pepperdine |
.262-11-35 in 66 G; Northwest League all-star |
|
2. Adam Moore, Mariners (6) |
Texas-Arlington |
.281-7-33 in 60 G at 2 levels |
|
3. Matt McBride, Indians (2) |
Lehigh |
.272-4-31 in 52 G in New York-Penn League |
|
4. Andy Bouchie, Brewers (7) |
Oral Roberts |
.265-7-46 in 61 G; Pioneer League all-star |
|
5. Matt Liuzza, Blue Jays (19) |
Louisiana State |
.268-6-37 in 55 G in New York-Penn League |
|
COMMENT: This year’s draft yielded two high school catchers in the first round, but neither distinguished himself as much as a handful of college catchers, led by Tracy. Max Sapp (Astros) was challenged with an assignment to the short-season Class A New York-Penn League and hit a predictable .220-1-20, while Hank Conger (Angels), drafted two spots after Sapp in the first round, hit .319-1-11 in the Rookie-level Arizona League but played just 19 games because of wrist surgery after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand. Tracy showed the power potential this summer that deserted him in the spring and caused him to fall out of the first round. |
|
FIRST BASE |
|
Player, Team(Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
1. Craig Cooper, Padres (7) |
Notre Dame |
.321-6-51 in 66 G at 2 levels; NWL all-star |
|
2. Logan Parker, Reds (12) |
Cincinnati |
.329-9-51 in 66 G in Pioneer League |
|
3. Chris Davis, Rangers (5) |
Navarro (Texas) JC |
.277-15-42 in 69 G in Northwest League |
|
4. Mark Hamilton, Cardinals (2) |
Tulane |
.259-11-49 in 68 G at 2 levels; NY-P HR leader |
|
5. Aaron Bates, Red Sox (3) |
North Carolina State |
.306-7-30 in 71 G at 2 levels |
|
COMMENT: There wasn’t a single high school first baseman drafted in 2006 that made so much as a whimper this summer, leaving the stage to the college class. Cooper enjoyed the best all-around season, though his power potential is not in the same league as the other players on the list. All have above-average power. Chris Carlson, a 29th-round pick of the Tigers, may have actually posted the best numbers of all, leading the Gulf Coast League with 11 homers and 47 RBIs while hitting .311, but his performance was discounted because he was one of the older players in a high school-oriented league and he’s not considered in the same category as a prospect as the above players. |
|
SECOND BASE |
|
Player, Team(Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
1. Emmanuel Burris, Giants (1) |
Kent State |
.307-1-27 in 65 G; led NWL with 35 SB |
|
2. Justin Turner, Reds (7) |
Cal State Fullerton |
.338-6-41 in 60 G; Pioneer League all-star |
|
3. Isa Garcia, Cardinals (34) |
Houston |
.339-4-25 in 57 G; Appy League batting champ |
|
4. Shelby Ford, Pirates (3) |
Oklahoma State |
.278-6-29 in 62 G at 2 levels |
|
5. Ryne Malone, Cubs (49) |
Florida State |
.284-2-29 in 51 G in Class A Midwest League |
|
COMMENT: Burris was a sparkplug at the top of the lineup for Salem-Keizer, which posted the best record in the minors this season (55-21, .724) and won the Northwest League title. He has game-changing speed and began the transition this summer from shortstop in college to second base as a pro. Turner is the most accomplished second baseman defensively, while Ford offers the most power potential. Like catcher and first base, no high school player cracked the list but Orioles second-rounder Ryan Adams (.263-2-12 in 40 games at two levels) was at least on the radar. |
|
THIRD BASE |
|
Player, Team(Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
1. David Freese, Padres (9) |
South Alabama |
.317-13-70 in 71 G at 2 levels |
|
2. Billy Rowell, Orioles (1) |
HS—Sewell, N.J. |
.328-3-32 in 53 G at 2 levels |
|
3. Matt Sweeney, Angels (8) |
HS—Rockville, Md. |
.341-5-39 in 44 G; Arizona League all-star |
|
4. Marc Maddox, Royals (9) |
Southern Mississippi |
.336-3-40 in 62 G in Pioneer League |
|
5. Danny Valencia, Twins (19) |
Miami (Fla.) |
.311-8-29 in 48 G; Appalachian League all-star |
|
COMMENT: The Padres drafted another college third baseman, Matt Antonelli, in the first round but he was completely overshadowed at both short-season Class A Eugene and low Class A Fort Wayne this summer by Freese, who signed with the Padres as a fifth-year senior. Freese got a bonus of $6,000; Antonelli signed for $1.575 million. It’s anticipated that Antonelli, who hit a combined .273-0-22, will develop power as he gets adjusted to wood bats, but he is clearly behind Freese at this point with the bat. Antonelli is the superior defender and better athlete, and may end up at second base if his power doesn’t develop. Rowell, the first high school position player drafted, made a strong enough impression in 42 games in the Rookie-level Appy League that he earned a promotion to the New York-Penn League, where he held his own at .326-1-6 in 11 games. Rowell was one of two high school selections to crack the list and a third, Nationals first-rounder Chris Marrero, almost assuredly would have been recognized, too, had he not contracted viral meningitis and missed the balance of the Gulf Coast League season. In 22 games, Marrero hit .309-0-16. |
|
SHORTSTOP |
|
Player, Team(Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
1. Evan Longoria, Devil Rays (1) |
Long Beach State |
.318-18-58 at 3 levels, peaking in Double-A |
|
2. Chris Valaika, Reds (3) |
UC Santa Barbara |
.324-8-60 in 70 G; Pioneer League MVP |
|
3. Scott Sizemore, Tigers (5) |
Va. Commonwealth |
.327-3-37 in 70 G in New York-Penn League |
|
4. Adrian Cardenas, Phillies (2) |
HS—Miami Lakes, Fla. |
.318-2-21 in 41 G in Gulf Coast League |
|
5. Chase Fontaine, Braves (2) |
Daytona (Fla.) CC |
.296-4-25 in 60 G in Appalachian League |
|
COMMENT: Shortstop was one of the deepest positions in this year’s draft and a number of deserving players didn’t make the cut, like Orioles third-rounder Blake Davis (.271-3-20 at Class A Delmarva), Cubs seventh-rounder Steve Clevenger (.286-2-21 at Class A Boise), Phillies third-rounder Jason Donald (.263-1-24 at Class A Batavia), Yankees sixth-rounder Mitch Hilligoss (.292-2-36 at Class A Staten Island), Dodgers supplemental first-rounder Preston Mattingly (.290-1-29 in Rookie-level Gulf Coast League), Mariners 10th-rounder Chris Minaker (.306-5-26 at two Class A levels), Indians second-rounder Josh Rodriguez (.268-4-24 at Class A Mahoning Valley) and Twins 11th-rounder Steve Singleton (.340-4-24 at Rookie-level Elizabethton). Longoria was in a class of his own, though it remains to be seen whether he’ll stay at shortstop or end up at second base or third. His power will play, no matter where he ends up. It’s anticipated that Sizemore and Cardenas, meanwhile, will end up second. Davis, Donald and Rodriguez, in particular, are among the college-bred shortstops in this year’s draft who could push their way into the elite group a year from now, while Marcus Lemon (.310-0-9 in Rookie ball) and Mattingly, both of whom signed for $1 million and are the sons of long time big leaguers, could make a move from the high school ranks.
|
|
OUTFIELD |
|
Player, Team(Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
First Team |
|
Cyle Hankerd, Diamondbacks (3) |
Southern California |
.381-12-61 in 72 G; Northwest League MVP |
|
Chris Errecart, Brewers (5) |
California |
.316-13-61 in 70 G; Pioneer League RBI leader |
|
Travis Snider, Blue Jays (1) |
HS—Mill Creek, Wash. |
.325-11-41 in 38 G; Appalachian League MVP |
|
Second Team |
|
Jon Jay, Cardinals (2) |
Miami (Fla.) |
.342-3-45, .416 OBA in 60 G in Midwest League |
|
Matt Sulentic, Athletics (3) |
HS—Dallas |
.306-3-35 in 68 G at 2 Class A levels |
|
Cedric Hunter, Padres (3) |
HS—Decatur, Ga. |
.364-1-44 in 57 G; Arizona League MVP |
|
Third Team |
|
Chad Huffman, Padres (2) |
Texas Christian |
.335-9-40 in 59 G at 2 levels |
|
Danny Dorn, Reds (32) |
Cal State Fullerton |
.354-8-40 in 60 G; Pioneer League bat champion |
|
Chris Pettit, Angels (19) |
Loyola Marymount |
.336-7-54, 25 2B in 68 G; Pioneer League all-star |
|
Fourth Team |
|
Brennan Boesch, Tigers (3) |
California |
.291-5-54 in 70 G; New York-Penn RBI leader |
|
Cole Gillespie, Brewers (3) |
Oregon State |
.344-8-31 in 51 G; Led Pioneer with .464 OBA |
|
Mark Shorey, Cardinals (31) |
High Point |
.265-13-47 in 58 G; Led Appy League in homers |
|
Fifth Team |
|
Jermaine Mitchell, Athletics (5) |
UNC Greensboro |
.362-3-23 in 37 G; .460 OBA in NWL |
|
Nathan Southard, Cardinals (17) |
Tulane |
.306-5-44 in 66 G in New York-Penn League |
|
Chris Emanuele, Blue Jays (26) |
Northeastern |
.325-3-26 in 66 G at 2 levels |
|
COMMENT: While most clubs didn’t see Hankerd as one of the 100 best prospects in this year’s draft, the Diamondbacks were convinced he would hit and they were rewarded when he tore up the Northwest League, winning a batting title with a .384 average. He was even more impressive after he was promoted to the California League, unleashing eight homers in 18 games while hitting .369. Hankerd was one of five outfielders drafted in the third round who make an auspicious debut, a significant number considering that only one of six outfielders drafted in the first round cracked the above list. Drew Stubbs (Reds), the first outfielder drafted, hit only .252-6-24 at Rookie-level Billings and Cody Johnson (Braves) hit just .184-1-16 in 32 games with 49 strikeouts in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. A number of outfielders made noteworthy debuts. The group of Boesch, Gillespie and Shorey all led their respective leagues in meaningful offensive categories, yet ranked well down the list among significant outfield contributors in this year’s draft. Ranked ahead of them were three league MVPs and a pair of batting champions.
|
|
STARTING PITCHERS |
|
Player, Team (Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
First Team |
|
Tim Lincecum, Giants (1) |
Washington |
2-0, 0.85 at 2 levels, and 58 SO in 32 IP |
|
Adam Cowart, Giants (35) |
Kansas State |
10-1, 1.08, 8 walks in 83 IP in Northwest League |
|
Chris Salamida, Astros (13) |
SUNY Oneonta |
10-1, 1.06; led New-York Penn in wins, ERA |
|
Second Team |
|
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (1) |
HS--Dallas |
2-0, 1.95 with 5 BB/54 SO in 37 GCL innings |
|
Osbek Castillo, Diamondbacks (33) |
Cuban defector |
6-0, 1.04 with 10-71 BB-SO ratio in 52 innings |
|
Tony Butler, Mariners (13) |
HS—Oak Creek, Wis. |
3-2, 2.72 with 77 SO in 56 IP at 2 levels |
|
Third Team |
|
George Kontos, Yankees (5) |
Northwestern |
7-3, 2.64 as ace for New York-Penn champs |
|
Josh Tomlin, Indians (19) |
Texas Tech |
8-2, 2.09 with 69 SO in 77 IP in New York-Penn |
|
Kevin Pucetas, Giants (17) |
Limestone (S.C.) |
7-1, 2.17 in 71 IP in Northwest League |
|
Fourth Team |
|
Brandon Hynick, Rockies (8) |
Birmingham-Southern |
4-3, 2.51 with 79 SO in 71 IP in 2 leagues |
|
Tobi Stoner, Mets (16) |
Davis & Elkins (W.Va.) |
6-2, 2.15 in 84 IP in New York-Penn League |
|
Wade LeBlanc, Padres (2) |
Alabama |
5-1, 3.02 overall, but 4-1, 2.20 in Midwest League |
|
Fifth Team |
|
Jordan Smith, Reds (6) |
CC of Southern Nevada |
6-3, 3.01 in 69 IP; tied for Pioneer lead in wins |
|
Angel Castro, Tigers (13) |
West. Okla. State JC |
4-1, 1.39 with 71 SO/58 IP in Dominican League |
|
Tim Schoeninger, Angels (23) |
Nevada |
6-2, 1.79 in 77 IP in 2 leagues |
|
COMMENT: San Francisco’s Salem-Keizer affiliate posted the best record (55-21, .724) in professional baseball this year and swept to the Northwest League title, largely on the strength of a pitching staff that posted a 2.95 ERA. Three Volcanoes pitchers cracked the above list, most significantly Cowart, a lowly 35th-rounder who topped the NWL with 10 wins and a 1.08 ERA. The 5-foot-10 Lincecum, whose fastball touched triple digits, worked only four innings for the Volcanoes, but walked none and struck out 10 before mercifully being promoted to the Cal League, where he still dominated. With the exception of Lincecum, few high-round pitchers stood out as clubs carefully monitored their innings. Kershaw, the first high school player drafted this year, was dominant in 10 appearances in the Gulf Coast League but he won only two games as he rarely worked the five innings needed to secure a win. Clubs were less stringent in applying pitching restrictions to mid- and low-round picks, whom they had little money invested in, and pitchers like Cowart and Castillo blossomed. Castillo, a 33rd-rounder, is a 25-year-old Cuban defector who combined on a team-record 17-strikeout game and no-hitter during the regular and combined on a four-hitter in the playoffs to lead Missoula to the Pioneer League title. His upside is limited, however, because of his age and his lack of an overpowering fastball needed to succeed at a higher level. Castro has an interesting background, as well. He spent the spring at an Oklahoma junior college but was sent to the Dominican Summer League after signing with the Tigers so he wouldn’t be subject to the visa embargo on foreign players.
|
|
RELIEF PITCHERS |
|
Player, Team (Draft Round) |
School |
Accomplishment |
|
First Team |
|
Zech Zinicola, Nationals (6) |
Arizona State |
4-1, 1.65, 12 SV in 3 leagues, including Double-A |
|
Brett Jensen, Tigers (14) |
Nebraska |
1-0, 0.67, 17 SV in New York-Penn League |
|
Second Team |
|
Chris Perez, Cardinals (1) |
Miami (Fla.) |
2-0, 1.84, 12 SV in Midwest League |
|
Kris Medlen, Braves (10) |
Santa Ana (Calif.) JC |
1-0, 0.41, 10 SV with 2 BB/36 SO ratio in Appy |
|
Third Team |
|
Paul Hammond, Tigers (35) |
Michigan |
3-1, 1.01, 6 SV in 3 leagues |
|
Erik Walker, Devil Rays (20) |
UNC Charlotte |
3-1, 0.48, 6 SV with 53 SO/38 IP in NY-P |
|
Fourth Team |
|
Bryce Cox, Red Sox (3) |
Rice |
2-1, 0.90 in 2 leagues, including Carolina League |
|
Austin Dirkx, Mariners (16) |
Portland |
2-2, 1.74, 5 SV with 44 SO/36 IP in 2 leagues |
|
Fifth Team |
|
Justin Masterson, Red Sox (2) |
San Diego State |
3-1, 0.85 with 2 BB/33 SO ratio in NY-P League |
|
Jeremy Papelbon, Cubs (19) |
North Florida |
4-0, 1.83, 3 SV with 50 SO in 44 IP in NWL |
|
Josh Papelbon, Red Sox (48) |
North Florida |
0-2, 1.86, 13 SV with 36 SO in 29 IP in NY-P |
|
COMMENT: Relief pitchers have generally reached the big leagues faster than any other demographic in the draft in recent years, and clubs did not hesitate to push closers to full season leagues in their professional baptism. Zinicola, who slipped in the draft after being suspended during the school year at Arizona State, made three stops altogether with the last being at Double-A Harrisburg, where he saved five games in 10 appearances. He was one of only three players from this year’s draft class to reach Double-A, or higher. Perez, Hammond, Cox and Dirkx also excelled in full-season competition. Perez, whose fastball was clocked in the mid-90s, is expected to separate himself from the pack as he climbs the ladder to the big leagues. The Papelbon twins, the younger brothers of Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, who debuted in the big leagues to strong reviews, were separated by being drafted by the Cubs and Red Sox, but were joined again for the purpose of this exercise. Both had strong first-year seasons—Jeremy, the better prospect, in a setup role, Josh as a closer.
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