So we’re all frantically combing through the BP book, and others of its ilk, preparing for the big rookie draft. This year’s crop of rookies is better than any I’ve seen in my five previous years with the EFL.
So I got to wondering – how valuable is all this preparation I’m doing? Does it pay off? I figured I should have a look at last year’s rookie draft to see how well we did.
I’m only reviewing EFL picks, not computer picks. The computer is incapable of learning from its mistakes.
- Jose Abreu (Canberra): this pick turned out to be a good one, so far. Not a great one, but a good one. Abreu didn’t produce like he did in 2014, but he was still worth having.
- Marcus Stroman (Kaline): probably the worst-luck pick in the history of the EFL, as Stroman was knocked out for the year (as we were told) only a few days later. I tried to trade for him, but Tom wouldn’t give him up. And now Tom’s looking pretty smart: Stroman seems to be in top form.
- Mookie Betts (Portland): this was the best pick of the first round. Betts was a star and he’s going to be even better this year. Nice going, Mark.
- Jorge Soler (Cottage): I was torn between Soler and Pederson – and I’m glad I stuck with Soler. Not a star yet, but has potential to become one.
- Joc Pederson (Flint Hill): For the first half of the year it looked like Jamie got the better of my two choices – but then Pederson went into a slump from which he has yet to emerge. Nobody seems to know why.
- Javier Baez (Peshastin): This pick has not yet paid off for the Pears – let’s hope Baez is not another Mike Olt. Stay away from Cubbies, Phil.
- Daniel Norris (Canberra): The jury is still out on this one, although it’s probably safe to say that Ryan’s expectations were not met. But Norris could have a bright future ahead of him.
- Shane Greene (Canberra): The worst pick of the first round. Canberra exposed him in the Rule V draft, and nobody took him.
- Dalton Pompey (Portland): This one went to bid, and the Rosebuds got him for half price. Pompey got sent down to the minors. We’ll see if he does better this year. I think he will.
Looking back over the list – a lot of us might choose differently now. Maybe I should just let John’s computer pick for me.
Mike Olt was a Ranger when I drafted him. Who knew?
Perceptive owners will notice no mention of Old Detroit on this list. OD traded away its pick (which became Shane Greene) for Jurickson Profar and the right to move up in a later draft — which is how Old Detroit got Canberra’s pick this year. So part of my 2015 pick and part of my old 2016 pick have been merged into my new 2015 pick… which might be better than any of the 2015 picks, thanks to the rich draft Dave mentioned.