My AL-only MiLB Draft Results

For you long time Fake Teams readers, you have seen me write about trades and draft results in my first AL-only keeper league I joined last season. I focused on this league in my Rebuilding is a Draft Strategy Too series earlier this offseason where I detailed my keeper league strategy, my in-season trades and transactions, and my draft (MLB and MiLB) draft results

Our auction draft is Saturday afternoon in New York. To help move the auction draft along as quick as possible, the league decided a few years ago to have the minor league portion of the draft a few days before the in-person auction, and here are the results of the two round MiLB draft:

First Round

1. Mike Zunino, SEA

2. Jonathan Singleton, HOU

3. Adam Russell, OAK

4. Bruce Rondon, DET

5. Byron Buxton, MIN

6. George Springer, HOU

7. Trevor Bauer, CLE

8. Delino DeShields Jr., HOU

9. Carlos Correa, HOU

10. Kaleb Cowart, LAA

11. Tyler Austin, NYY

12. Courtney Hawkins, CHW

I had the 6th pick in the first round and thought long and hard deciding between Astros prospects Carlos Correa and George Springer. I ultimately decided to go with the prospect closer to the big leagues, albeit with some risk attached, over Correa who is farther away, but probably with the higher ceiling. Springer will have to prove he can hit AA pitching this season. He hit .316-.398-.557 with 22 HRs, 101 runs, 82 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 106 High A games last season, but followed that up with a .219-.288-.342 triple slash line in 22 AA games. He defensive abilities may help him win a major league job in a year or so, with the potential for several 20-20 season should he be able to improve his plate discipline at he moves up the minor league ladder.

Mariners catching prospect Mike Zunino was selected first overall, and for good reason. He tore up minor league pitching in the short amount of time he played after signing with the Mariners. Astros first base prospect likes to smoke the funny stuff and will miss the first 50 games of the 2013 season, so his estimated arrival to the big leagues will be delayed a bit as a result. The owner who selected Rondon 4th overall picked him before the news that the Tigers signed Jose Valverde to a minor league deal.

Twins outfield prospect Byron Buxton fell to the #5 pick as a result of Rondon going at 4, and the owner (Fake Teams reader thomasps3) had to be ecstatic that he did. I thought Buxton would have gone at 4, and that Delino DeShields would be selected here at tht #5 spot. Had Buxton fell to me at 6, I probably would have taken him over Springer, or at least wasted another hour pondering the selection.

For me, Bauer was not the 7th best prospect in this draft, but he is major league ready and will be making his first major league start this weekend.

The owner who grabbed Buxton at 5 ( Fake Teams reader thomasps3) also had the 8th pick and had to be happy to get the guy he targeted earlier this offseason. Correa falling to the 9 spot in the draft must have felt like Christmas Day all over again for former Fake Teams manager/writer Eric Hinz.

Second Round

1. Oswaldo Arcia, MIN

2. Avisail Garcia, DET

3. Kevin Gausman, BAL

4. Stefen Romero, SEA

5. Dorssys Paulino, CLE

6. Brad Miller, SEA

7. Allen Webster, BOS

8. Joey Gallo, TEX

9. Kyle Zimmer, KC

10. Chris Archer, TB

11. Slade Heathcott, NYY

12. Danny Hultzen, SEA

As you can see, owners in this league focus on how close the prospect is to the big leagues, rather than future potential. I had the #3 pick in the second round and grabbed Orioles pitching prospect Kevin Gausman. His prospect stock improved in the spring, with some scouts saying he looked more ready for a big league job than teammate Dylan Bundy. I was surprised Gausman fell to me at #15, but also considered Royals shortstop prospect Adalberto Mondesi here as well.

I wasn't around my computer yesterday, but if I had, I would have attempted to deal for another pick in the second round, as I liked Chris Archer and Mondesi.