Predicting the 2000 BBSBL Draft (1-15)!

1. Cleveland Indians - SP Cliff Lee
Talent Ratings: G/G/G/B/A
Best pitching prospect in the draft. Lee can do it all on the mound. Should probably be one of the league leaders in WHIP. Cleveland could go a lot of different routes with this pick, but I don't think you pass on a pitching prospect like Lee, real life Indian as well. Seems like fate to me. A future All-Star and Cy Young winner. That's what you want out of the #1 Pick.
ETA: 2 to 3 Seasons


2. San Diego Padres - 2B Chase Utley
Talent Ratings: G/G/A/G/A/G
Defensive Range: A
Speed/Stealing Ability: B/B
Pretty no-brainer here. San Diego needs a second baseman, and Utley is one of the best to come around in years. He is an embodiment of the cliched "five-tool player" model. He hits well, can go long, is a great defender, and has good speed. He'll be ready to contribute in a few seasons and will be a top 2B in the league.
ETA: 2 to 3 Seasons


3. New York Mets - SS Hanley Ramirez
Talent Ratings: G/B/A/G/A/A
Range: C
Speed/Stealing Ability: A/B
The Mets could go a number of different directions here, like Sizemore or pitching, but I think they'd go with Ramirez here. Even though they have a good young SS in OC, Ramirez's talent is undeniable. Great combination of hitting, speed, and power, Ramirez will be raw, but will have all the talent to be a top shortstop. And a small possibility I die a little inside.
ETA: 4 to 6 Seasons


4. Texas Rangers - 1B Adrian Gonzalez
Talent Ratings: G/G/P/G/G/A
Range: A
Speed/Stealing Ability: D/D
The Rangers have Konerko already, and could probably use pitching, but Gonzalez is too much to pass up at this point. They could easily move Konerko to DH and let Gonzalez take the reigns when he is ready. Gonzalez will be an All-Star, a top slugger, and a Gold Glove winner. If the prior three teams weren't already set at 1B for the future, they could all use Gonzalez.
ETA: 3 to 5 Seasons


5. Tampa Bay Rays / Arizona Diamondbacks - SP Adam Wainwright
Talent Ratings: G/B/B/G/A
Another stud pitcher. If I'm building a team from scratch, I'm starting with pitching. Either Tampa Bay or Arizona is getting a stud with Wainwright. He'll take a little more time to develop than Lee, but the results should be equally as good in the end. That time developing is perfect for a team several years from inception. Easy choice in my opinion.
ETA: 4 to 5 Seasons


6. Tampa Bay Rays / Arizona Diamondbacks - SP Brandon Webb
Talent Ratings: G/G/B/A/A
Following the same pattern, the other expansion team should select a pitcher. Third best prospect in my opinion, will be Webb. Allows a little more Walks than the top two, but a good PD or a TIA makes Webb just as much of a stud, but even without he will arguably be the third best pitching prospect. Only downside is Webb will be Injury Prone; however, he will likely be ready for the Majors in a few seasons, so the expansion team will have their ace pitching day one.
ETA: 2 to 3 Seasons


7. Florida Marlins - CF Grady Sizemore
Talent Ratings: A/G/G/G/G/F
Range: A
Speed/Stealing Ability: A/B
Outfield Arm: A
Sizemore's talent will be too much to pass up at this point. The Marlins will undoubtedly TIA his Hits bringing him to almost all Goods across the board. He will struggle with Strikeouts a bit, but he will still be a sick player in this league. Excellent speed, good power, and amazing defense. His only other downside along with his Strikeouts will be his Injury Prone rating. His MLB career has been halted by injuries, but hopefully his BBSBL career won't be a repeat.
ETA: 3 to 4 Seasons


8. Minnesota Twins - SP James Shields
Talent Ratings: G/A/A/G/A
The Twins need help in a lot of spots, but none more than pitching. They have a few good SP prospects, but they could definitely use a few more. Shields will be very raw, but will have good talent. He should be a very good pitcher in the future. The Twins could also probably trade down to a team that has a few late picks like Chicago, Philadelphia, or Pittsburgh, but Shields isn't a bad direction.
ETA: 4 to 5 Seasons


9. Detroit Tigers - RF Jose Bautista
Talent Ratings: F/G/P/B/G/F
Range: B/C
Speed/Stealing Ability: D/C
Outfield Arm: C
Other Positions: 3B
Now I did something a little fun here with Bautista's Talent. His career batting average is probably deserving of a fringe Fair/Average Talent rating, but to spice it up I threw him a Brilliant in Homers. He's going to struggle hitting for average, he will struggle with strikeouts, but he could become a premiere slugger, like he was starting to look like a few seasons ago in the MLB. He's raw, but could be worth taking the chance on.
ETA: 4 to 6 Seasons


10. Pittsburgh Pirates - LF Jason Bay
Talent Ratings: A/G/A/G/G/P
Range: B
Speed/Stealing Ability: B/C
Outfield Arm: B
The first of three first round picks for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they might be smart to look into trading up, but with the 10th Overall Selection, they end up with real life Pirate, Jason Bay. Bay has decent batting skills, good power, and good speed. His biggest downside is his strikeouts, he'll be putting himself out like his name was Adam Dunn (How in the blue hell does Adam Dunn have Fair Talent in Strikeouts?), but with a little help, Bay could be a dangerous player in the right situation.
ETA: 3 to 4 Seasons


11. Los Angeles Dodgers - 1B Corey Hart
Talent Ratings: A/G/A/G/A/A
Range: C/B
Speed/Stealing Ability: A/C
Other Positions: RF
Strange seeing Corey Hart listed as 1B, but I guess since he recently started playing a bit of first base, it makes sense. He is also a strong option in RF. Very underrated player. Hart has solid hitting and power, and great speed. Versatile player who will take a bit of time to develop, but should be a very productive player in the Majors.
ETA: 3 to 5 Seasons


12. St. Louis Cardinals - SP Dontrelle Willis
Talent Ratings: G/G/G/A/A
Yes, I passed on Dontrelle. It's killing me inside. I just don't need anymore pitching. Anyways, Dontrelle is a little further behind the higher up pitching prospects, but a little attention to his Walks, and he'll be a very good starter. He was a breakout star in the MLB, but he fell off just as quickly as he broke onto the scene. He probably needs to be Injury Prone as well, but still, has the potential to be a very good player. Also should have decent hitting ratings.
ETA: 2 to 3 Seasons


13. Milwaukee Brewers - CF David DeJesus
Talent Ratings: A/G/G/F/A/G
Range: A/A/A
Speed/Stealing Ability: B/C
Outfield Arm: B
Other Positions: RF/LF
David "Don't Forget About" DeJesus is a nice prospect who will probably fly a little under the radar, but he has fringe Average to Good Hitting ability, good speed, and excellent defense. Not a power hitter by any means, but he can occasionally go long. He has good plate discipline, and can play anywhere in the outfield. He is raw and will probably need a little bit of help to be a good player, but he should definitely be a contributor no matter what with an outside chance at being a very good player.
ETA: 3 to 4 Seasons


14. Montreal Expos - 1B Edwin Encarnacion
Talent Ratings: A/G/P/G/A/A
Range: C/D
Speed/Stealing Ability: C/C
Other Positions: 3B
Whether he finds his future at 1B or 3B, Montreal could use him either way. Very solid all-around player who could be very could with some attention from an active GM. Encarnacion has good power, decent hitting, patience, speed, and okay defense. He won't win any MVP awards or anything like that, but with some help and good development, a few All-Star appearances aren't out of the question. He is raw, but Montreal has good enough talent in the Majors to wait for him to develop.
ETA: 4 to 5 Seasons


15. Seattle Mariners - C Yadier Molina
Talent Ratings: G/A/P/F/F/B
Range: A
Speed/Stealing Ability: D/C
Catcher Arm: A
Molina could possibly go higher, but his lack of power and Walks hold him back a little bit. He isn't the best offensive player, but he hits pretty well and has excellence patience. But above all else, he shines defensively. He will be a perennial Gold Glove winner, and will probably throw the most runners out as well. The Mariners are entering their big rebuild finally, and could literally go any direction with this pick, but might as well get their Catcher of the future.
ETA: 3 to 4 Seasons