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Looking back farther, a whopping *nine* players from the 1981 Class were rated "Between," and we'll revisit those players, as well. As for context, we look at 1985 to see how it affected this year's draft position. In 1985 the Diamonds were chasing the playoffs in the AL, while Baltimore and Cleveland got in and the Fire went to the Series, losing to Milwaukee, who had beaten off the Cubs in the NLCS. New York, St. Louis and Brooklyn all had won 90+ games in a competitive National League that year. The Starlets won a league low 38 games.
[size=1]If that sounds familiar, it's because I used it for my last report. I *should* have looked at '84, but it was the first time I added it and I screwed up.[/size]
Let's get started. Remember player names are clickable.
[color=blue]THE CLASS of 1986[/color]
Part the First
Pick #1 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442265]Roy Lamb=Alexis Bledel, SP[/url]-Cincinnati Starlets
Roy Lamb, who always had a thing for The Gilmore Girls, finally had a reason to change his name when he was drafted by the Starlets. He spent only a year-and-a-half in the minors, then came up in midsummer of 1987, winning a baker's dozen of ballgames. He's been near the top of the Starlet rotation ever since, averaging 9-10 wins a year. He appears to finally be coming into his own, having won into the double digits the last three seasons and a Gold Glove last year. Result? BETWEEN, but could turn into a Boom player if Cincy succeeds in its climb back into contention.
Pick #2 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442281]Jake Schneider, CF[/url]-Kansas City Kings
Schneider spent five years in the minors, where he converted to RF, then made his debut in 1991, winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He followed that up in '92 with the first of three consecutive All Star selections and a Gold Glove Award, not to mention the AL MVP as KC went to the ALCS. He's about to make his fourth consecutive All Star team as the Kings chase another playoff berth. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #3 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442264]John Smith=John Holmes, RP[/url]-San Diego Sandlot Mafia
John Smith, upon hearing he was drafted by the Sandlot Mafia, decided he wanted to stand up, rise above his peers, and erect a stiff stat line, so he changed his name to John Holmes. He went right to the big league bullpen, appearing in 71 games and saving nearly 20 of them, while finishing fourth in NL ROY balloting. Since then he's been the Closer in San Diego, appearing in up to half their games, and has been selected for four All Star games and on his way to a fifth this year. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #4 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442269]David Krukow, SP[/url]-New York Skyscrapers
Three years of seasoning later, Krukow got the call with two other rookies as the Skyscrapers began their rise to respectability. He spent two years getting knocked around in the rotation before being relegated to long relief and spot starting for a year, and then returned to the rotation in '92 when his skills had matured. He won a career-high 12 games that year, followed by 14 the next two. This season he is about to make his first All Star team and is in the conversation for American League Cy Young. The future is promising, but for now ... Result? BETWEEN
Pick #5 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442266&statsorimps=stats]Joe Jackson=Johnny Wertz, RP[/url]-Pittsburgh Highlanders
Jackson, in keeping with Highlander tradition, changed his moniker to honor a pitcher with the Boston Braves in the late 1920s. He studied hard in the minors for two years, making the team out of Spring Training in 1988. He won seven games working short relief for Pittsburgh, and finished fifth in the NL ROY race. He's been a nondescript but reliable arm for the Highlanders and he may have had his career year in 1993 when he went 10-1 for a Pittsburgh club that won 81 games. About to turn 28, his WHIP and ERA are at career lows this season, so there may yet be a boom and a move into a brighter spotlight in his future, especially with a new owner assuming the reins in Pitt. Result? BETWEEN
Pick #6 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442282]Johnny Bowen, 1b[/url]-Boston Green Sox
Though he worked hard, Bowen was on the bottom of the Green Sox coaching priorities during the year he spent on the farm after the draft. He came up in June of '87 in a backup/utility role, hitting .262 with a dozen homers in 279 at-bats, finishing fifth in AL ROY voting. Based on that production, he was handed the first base job in 1988 but a sophomore slump hit him hard and he hit just .231 with only 10 HR. He's gotten full playing time since then, moving between 1b and the OF and the prodigious power that the Green Sox drafted has manifested itself, with Bowen leading the GGL in OPS and Slugging during 1992, and making the first of his (so far) two All Star appearances. For some reason, though, he's never seemed to fit in wearing the Boston green and yellow and he was put on the Trade Desk in May of this year. Result? [color=blue]BOOM[/color]TWEEN! Stay tuned.
Pick #7 -[url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442273]Keefe Atkins, RP[/url]-Chicago Black Sox
After three years of heavy coaching, Atkins broke camp with the club in 1989, when Chicago was in the midst of a deep rebuild. He went 2-7 with 11 Saves, appearing in 72 games. He led the GGL in appearances in 1990, but put up mostly empty stat lines for the next three seasons. In 1993, Chicago was making a run for the postseason and Atkins turned into the most reliable arm out of the bullpen, winning 14 games with a 1.30 ERA and made his first (and only) All Star team. He remains Chicago's setup man, but it's looking more and more like '93 was the exception, not the rule. Result? [color=red]BUST[/color]TWEEN!
Pick #8 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442325]Bill Mantei, RP[/url]-Washington Phantoms
231 Improvement Chances marked Mantei's four-year apprenticeship in the minors before getting the call at the All Star Break in 1990. Mantei's 3-3 record mirrored the break-even 81-81 record the Phantoms put up that season, though his 3.86 ERA and 1.26 WHIP were credible. 1991, however, was a completely different story as Washington exploded for 108 wins and a trip to the World Series, where they lost to Brooklyn in six games, and Mantei nearly quadrupled his win total to a career high of 11. He pitched three times in the Series that year, though not very effectively. After three more years of nothing special, the Phantoms threw the dice and installed him as their Closer this season, where he's a close second in the AL FOY race, has saved three dozen games to date, and is about to make his first All Star appearance. Age 27, his future finally looks bright. Result? BETWEEN, but optimistically Boom-y.
+++++
I've decided this year to break this annual report up into three or four posts - all under this thread. I'll do the second half of the first round next, followed by later round success stories (if any), and then the look back at 1981's "Betweens" to see if any have moved the needle toward Boom or Bust.
Hopefully they will be a little easier for you to digest this way. Feel free to comment in between, as I'm sure some of you will, heh.
Where Are They Now: Class of 1986
July 02, 2013 at 09:44AM View BBCode
Of the 16 first rounders, four are relative "failures" at B+, three hit the full red letter A, and the other nine are bonafide A- major leaguers. The New York Youngstuds had three picks, Cincinnati had two, and the Diamonds, Cubs, and Baltimore Fire were shut out of the first round in this draft. In this pitching-heavy Class, only two position players made the Top 8 ... but that was balanced by only *one* pitcher being selected during the rest of the first round.Looking back farther, a whopping *nine* players from the 1981 Class were rated "Between," and we'll revisit those players, as well. As for context, we look at 1985 to see how it affected this year's draft position. In 1985 the Diamonds were chasing the playoffs in the AL, while Baltimore and Cleveland got in and the Fire went to the Series, losing to Milwaukee, who had beaten off the Cubs in the NLCS. New York, St. Louis and Brooklyn all had won 90+ games in a competitive National League that year. The Starlets won a league low 38 games.
[size=1]If that sounds familiar, it's because I used it for my last report. I *should* have looked at '84, but it was the first time I added it and I screwed up.[/size]
Let's get started. Remember player names are clickable.
[color=blue]THE CLASS of 1986[/color]
Part the First
Pick #1 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442265]Roy Lamb=Alexis Bledel, SP[/url]-Cincinnati Starlets
Roy Lamb, who always had a thing for The Gilmore Girls, finally had a reason to change his name when he was drafted by the Starlets. He spent only a year-and-a-half in the minors, then came up in midsummer of 1987, winning a baker's dozen of ballgames. He's been near the top of the Starlet rotation ever since, averaging 9-10 wins a year. He appears to finally be coming into his own, having won into the double digits the last three seasons and a Gold Glove last year. Result? BETWEEN, but could turn into a Boom player if Cincy succeeds in its climb back into contention.
Pick #2 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442281]Jake Schneider, CF[/url]-Kansas City Kings
Schneider spent five years in the minors, where he converted to RF, then made his debut in 1991, winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He followed that up in '92 with the first of three consecutive All Star selections and a Gold Glove Award, not to mention the AL MVP as KC went to the ALCS. He's about to make his fourth consecutive All Star team as the Kings chase another playoff berth. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #3 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442264]John Smith=John Holmes, RP[/url]-San Diego Sandlot Mafia
John Smith, upon hearing he was drafted by the Sandlot Mafia, decided he wanted to stand up, rise above his peers, and erect a stiff stat line, so he changed his name to John Holmes. He went right to the big league bullpen, appearing in 71 games and saving nearly 20 of them, while finishing fourth in NL ROY balloting. Since then he's been the Closer in San Diego, appearing in up to half their games, and has been selected for four All Star games and on his way to a fifth this year. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #4 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442269]David Krukow, SP[/url]-New York Skyscrapers
Three years of seasoning later, Krukow got the call with two other rookies as the Skyscrapers began their rise to respectability. He spent two years getting knocked around in the rotation before being relegated to long relief and spot starting for a year, and then returned to the rotation in '92 when his skills had matured. He won a career-high 12 games that year, followed by 14 the next two. This season he is about to make his first All Star team and is in the conversation for American League Cy Young. The future is promising, but for now ... Result? BETWEEN
Pick #5 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442266&statsorimps=stats]Joe Jackson=Johnny Wertz, RP[/url]-Pittsburgh Highlanders
Jackson, in keeping with Highlander tradition, changed his moniker to honor a pitcher with the Boston Braves in the late 1920s. He studied hard in the minors for two years, making the team out of Spring Training in 1988. He won seven games working short relief for Pittsburgh, and finished fifth in the NL ROY race. He's been a nondescript but reliable arm for the Highlanders and he may have had his career year in 1993 when he went 10-1 for a Pittsburgh club that won 81 games. About to turn 28, his WHIP and ERA are at career lows this season, so there may yet be a boom and a move into a brighter spotlight in his future, especially with a new owner assuming the reins in Pitt. Result? BETWEEN
Pick #6 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442282]Johnny Bowen, 1b[/url]-Boston Green Sox
Though he worked hard, Bowen was on the bottom of the Green Sox coaching priorities during the year he spent on the farm after the draft. He came up in June of '87 in a backup/utility role, hitting .262 with a dozen homers in 279 at-bats, finishing fifth in AL ROY voting. Based on that production, he was handed the first base job in 1988 but a sophomore slump hit him hard and he hit just .231 with only 10 HR. He's gotten full playing time since then, moving between 1b and the OF and the prodigious power that the Green Sox drafted has manifested itself, with Bowen leading the GGL in OPS and Slugging during 1992, and making the first of his (so far) two All Star appearances. For some reason, though, he's never seemed to fit in wearing the Boston green and yellow and he was put on the Trade Desk in May of this year. Result? [color=blue]BOOM[/color]TWEEN! Stay tuned.
Pick #7 -[url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442273]Keefe Atkins, RP[/url]-Chicago Black Sox
After three years of heavy coaching, Atkins broke camp with the club in 1989, when Chicago was in the midst of a deep rebuild. He went 2-7 with 11 Saves, appearing in 72 games. He led the GGL in appearances in 1990, but put up mostly empty stat lines for the next three seasons. In 1993, Chicago was making a run for the postseason and Atkins turned into the most reliable arm out of the bullpen, winning 14 games with a 1.30 ERA and made his first (and only) All Star team. He remains Chicago's setup man, but it's looking more and more like '93 was the exception, not the rule. Result? [color=red]BUST[/color]TWEEN!
Pick #8 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442325]Bill Mantei, RP[/url]-Washington Phantoms
231 Improvement Chances marked Mantei's four-year apprenticeship in the minors before getting the call at the All Star Break in 1990. Mantei's 3-3 record mirrored the break-even 81-81 record the Phantoms put up that season, though his 3.86 ERA and 1.26 WHIP were credible. 1991, however, was a completely different story as Washington exploded for 108 wins and a trip to the World Series, where they lost to Brooklyn in six games, and Mantei nearly quadrupled his win total to a career high of 11. He pitched three times in the Series that year, though not very effectively. After three more years of nothing special, the Phantoms threw the dice and installed him as their Closer this season, where he's a close second in the AL FOY race, has saved three dozen games to date, and is about to make his first All Star appearance. Age 27, his future finally looks bright. Result? BETWEEN, but optimistically Boom-y.
+++++
I've decided this year to break this annual report up into three or four posts - all under this thread. I'll do the second half of the first round next, followed by later round success stories (if any), and then the look back at 1981's "Betweens" to see if any have moved the needle toward Boom or Bust.
Hopefully they will be a little easier for you to digest this way. Feel free to comment in between, as I'm sure some of you will, heh.
Damien435
I see what you did there/ ;)
July 02, 2013 at 10:14AM View BBCode
Milwaukee, who had beaten off the Cubs in the NLCS.
I see what you did there/ ;)
ballmark
:P
July 02, 2013 at 01:09PM View BBCode
Sorry ... that line belonged in the John Holmes write-up.:P
seahags
July 02, 2013 at 01:44PM View formatted
You are viewing the raw post code; this allows you to copy a message with BBCode formatting intact.
that was great...
ballmark
Part the Second
Pick #9 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442322]Gene Anderson, RF[/url]-St. Louis Redlegs
After two-and-a-half years in the minors, Gene Anderson was called up to the big league club in June of 1989 when LF Phil Connatser was injured. He was only up about three weeks, the duration of Connatser's injury, but returned at the end of August. He accumulated 142 plate appearances, hitting .281 with a solitary dinger and three steals. He never returned to the minors and in his first full tour of duty he managed a 7-41-3 stat line with a BA of .251 and was not in the NL ROY discussion. In 1992, when OF Dave Kearney was traded to the Youngstuds, Anderson moved into CF to stay and St. Louis went to the World Series. They were swept there by the New York Skyscrapers and Anderson was part of the reason, hitting just .167 with no extra base hits. The following year the ballclub moved the power alleys in at Redlegs Park and went to the NLCS, losing to San Diego. Anderson had played every game that season, leading the GGL in at-bats, but could only manage a tired .233 in the postseason. Last season the Redlegs fell out of the playoff picture but Anderson made his first All Star team. This season he's putting up even better numbers and looks to make his second straight All Star squad, though St. Louis once again has a tough stretch to climb back into the postseason. It's almost enough to make you think Anderson's success is the Redlegs' downfall. Result? BETWEEN, but leaning toward Boom. Much depends on St. Louis' future.
Pick #10 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442268]Bob Sanders, CF[/url]-Brooklyn Traveling Wilburies
In April of 1986, the TWs - having returned to the playoff hunt - dealt their '87 first round pick to the Cubs for veterans Don Henshaw and SS Lefty Hayes who led the team in games played and was a 20-20 man for them. Later, on September 1, after seeing the draft class, Brooklyn management decided they wanted a first round pick and dealt Bob Sanders and the Cubs second rounder to the Black Sox for their '87 first. The Black Sox put him right on the major league roster and gave him 100 at-bats that September. In '87, Chicago installed him at 2b full time and had him learn the position on the job. He's been there ever since. He made the first of his three All Star teams in 1990 but the thing Sanders is probably most proud of is his Gold Glove Award in '92 for all his hard work at learning his new position. He won't make the Hall of Fame, but he plays 158 games a year, is an A+ Mentor and a giant influence in Chicago's clubhouse. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #11 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442327]Dave Kearney, LF[/url]-New York Youngstuds
After a year of full coaching and a conversion from left to right field, Dave Kearney was dealt to St. Louis for veteran Jack Donaghy a week into the 1987 season when New York decided to pursue the postseason (they ultimately fell 10 games short). The Redlegs gave him three more years to marinate in the minors before bringing him up as a fourth outfielder in 1990. Kearney did nothing to distinguish himself and remained a fourth outfielder, playing all three OF spots in '91, accumulated 400+ at-bats, and remained mostly a behind-the-scenes support role type of ballplayer. In May of 92, however, with the Youngstuds in the second year of a rebuild and the Redlegs playoff-bound, he was shipped back to the Big Apple where he took up residence in centerfield and hasn't moved. Sadly, his stat line has still done nothing to distinguish itself, either. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color] But as he's still just 27, we'll hold the door open for a revisit in five years.
Pick #12 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442336]Jim Harding, RF[/url]-New York Youngstuds (from Detroit Diamonds)
The Diamonds hit their heyday in 1984 and swapped this pick to New York for veteran Tommy Behenna who made his final All Star team in Detroit and nearly put them over the top, finishing one game out of the playoffs. New York gave Harding full coaching after the draft and converted him to LF, where they felt his limited defensive skills would work best. Then, in '87, with Detroit still making themselves part of the playoff picture, he was sent to the Diamonds in a 4-player/2-pick deal for SP Carlos Montoya, whom NY felt would help their own playoff push. He spent two-and-a-half more years in Detroit's system, with full coaching and another position conversion to 1b. In 1989, when Detroit made one last grasp for the postseason, he was sent packing to Brooklyn. The Traveling Wilburies, recognizing Harding's developing defensive ability, attempted to convert him into a centerfielder for parts of two seasons, but failed. When he finally got the call, he came up to Brooklyn as a rightfielder. Despite having A+ Power from both sides of the plate, Harding's biggest achievement thus far has been two Gold Glove Awards. His D- Health may keep him from anything more. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
Pick #13 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442332]Ramon Cathey, SP[/url]-New York Youngstuds (from Chicago Cubs)
As Detroit was trying to make the playoffs in '84, the Cubs did; winning the World Series, in fact. Part of their success was in dealing this pick to New York for future Hall-of-Famer 2b Nick Novak. Drafted with a B-/D split, New York gave Cathey full coaching for two seasons in the minors, bringing him up to B+/C- before swapping him over to Baltimore in the AL for a pair of veterans as the Youngstuds went on to post the best NL record in 1988. The Fire gave him two more years of full minor league attention, promoting him in 1990 at A/C+ to pitch full time at the top of their seventh-place rotation. He led the GGL in starts and, amazingly, he went 17-14 that year, finishing third for AL ROY. In 1991 he led the GGL in Shutouts, but has yet to reach the pinnacle of his rookie year success again. He won a Gold Glove in 1993 but is currently out for the season with a torn rotator cuff, but his Skills have grown into a very respectable A+/B. Result? [color=red]BUST[/color]WEEN!
Pick #14 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442313]Billy Crosby, LF[/url]-Cleveland Curve/Oakland Invaders
Cleveland management gave Crosby three solid years of minor league coaching, converting him into a second baseman, but also had him on the Trade Desk for his first two seasons. At the tail end of both 1988-89, he got a call up for the proverbial "cup of coffee" and amassed a total of 33 at-bats over those two trials. In 1990 Crosby came up for good, relegating veteran Marjorie Monaghan to the bench. He hit .290, drove in 71 runs, and won the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He's been an unspectacular second sacker, and new management moved the franchise to Oakland and turned Crosby into a platoon player on the wrong side, playing only against southpaws. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
Pick #15 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442321]Charlie LaRose=Kristi Angus, RF[/url]-Cincinnati Starlets (from Baltimore Fire via NY Youngstuds)
Saying, "A LaRose by any other name would still play as sweet," Charlie LaRose paraphrased Shakespeare and changed his name upon being drafted by the Starlets. Incidentally, the player given up by Cincy for this pick was Marjorie Monaghan ... Angus spent a single year in the Starlets minors, converting to LF while there, but then was installed in CF when promoted at the start of the 1987 season. Angus finished fifth in NL ROY voting that season, won a Gold Glove in 1991, and that was it. In fact, '91 was the last year he played full time, giving way to NL ROY Olivia Williams in 1992. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
Pick #16 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442277]Andy Oliver, SS[/url]-Milwaukee Brew Masters
Oliver spent a beer-soaked eighteen months in the minors, somehow learning how to play second base, and was promoted in June of 1987. He was mostly bench fodder, playing in just 14 games that year, and he returned to the farm in August. He broke camp with the team in '88 but was again used in a utility role getting just 110 at-bats, but it was enough to spoil any hopes of a ROY. He returned to his natural position of SS and played full time from 1989 through 1991, but was basically just a placeholder until rookie Joe Ford was ready to come up. Oliver has since returned to a nondescript utility role. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
July 03, 2013 at 04:40AM View BBCode
[color=blue]THE CLASS OF 1986[/color]Part the Second
Pick #9 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442322]Gene Anderson, RF[/url]-St. Louis Redlegs
After two-and-a-half years in the minors, Gene Anderson was called up to the big league club in June of 1989 when LF Phil Connatser was injured. He was only up about three weeks, the duration of Connatser's injury, but returned at the end of August. He accumulated 142 plate appearances, hitting .281 with a solitary dinger and three steals. He never returned to the minors and in his first full tour of duty he managed a 7-41-3 stat line with a BA of .251 and was not in the NL ROY discussion. In 1992, when OF Dave Kearney was traded to the Youngstuds, Anderson moved into CF to stay and St. Louis went to the World Series. They were swept there by the New York Skyscrapers and Anderson was part of the reason, hitting just .167 with no extra base hits. The following year the ballclub moved the power alleys in at Redlegs Park and went to the NLCS, losing to San Diego. Anderson had played every game that season, leading the GGL in at-bats, but could only manage a tired .233 in the postseason. Last season the Redlegs fell out of the playoff picture but Anderson made his first All Star team. This season he's putting up even better numbers and looks to make his second straight All Star squad, though St. Louis once again has a tough stretch to climb back into the postseason. It's almost enough to make you think Anderson's success is the Redlegs' downfall. Result? BETWEEN, but leaning toward Boom. Much depends on St. Louis' future.
Pick #10 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442268]Bob Sanders, CF[/url]-Brooklyn Traveling Wilburies
In April of 1986, the TWs - having returned to the playoff hunt - dealt their '87 first round pick to the Cubs for veterans Don Henshaw and SS Lefty Hayes who led the team in games played and was a 20-20 man for them. Later, on September 1, after seeing the draft class, Brooklyn management decided they wanted a first round pick and dealt Bob Sanders and the Cubs second rounder to the Black Sox for their '87 first. The Black Sox put him right on the major league roster and gave him 100 at-bats that September. In '87, Chicago installed him at 2b full time and had him learn the position on the job. He's been there ever since. He made the first of his three All Star teams in 1990 but the thing Sanders is probably most proud of is his Gold Glove Award in '92 for all his hard work at learning his new position. He won't make the Hall of Fame, but he plays 158 games a year, is an A+ Mentor and a giant influence in Chicago's clubhouse. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #11 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442327]Dave Kearney, LF[/url]-New York Youngstuds
After a year of full coaching and a conversion from left to right field, Dave Kearney was dealt to St. Louis for veteran Jack Donaghy a week into the 1987 season when New York decided to pursue the postseason (they ultimately fell 10 games short). The Redlegs gave him three more years to marinate in the minors before bringing him up as a fourth outfielder in 1990. Kearney did nothing to distinguish himself and remained a fourth outfielder, playing all three OF spots in '91, accumulated 400+ at-bats, and remained mostly a behind-the-scenes support role type of ballplayer. In May of 92, however, with the Youngstuds in the second year of a rebuild and the Redlegs playoff-bound, he was shipped back to the Big Apple where he took up residence in centerfield and hasn't moved. Sadly, his stat line has still done nothing to distinguish itself, either. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color] But as he's still just 27, we'll hold the door open for a revisit in five years.
Pick #12 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442336]Jim Harding, RF[/url]-New York Youngstuds (from Detroit Diamonds)
The Diamonds hit their heyday in 1984 and swapped this pick to New York for veteran Tommy Behenna who made his final All Star team in Detroit and nearly put them over the top, finishing one game out of the playoffs. New York gave Harding full coaching after the draft and converted him to LF, where they felt his limited defensive skills would work best. Then, in '87, with Detroit still making themselves part of the playoff picture, he was sent to the Diamonds in a 4-player/2-pick deal for SP Carlos Montoya, whom NY felt would help their own playoff push. He spent two-and-a-half more years in Detroit's system, with full coaching and another position conversion to 1b. In 1989, when Detroit made one last grasp for the postseason, he was sent packing to Brooklyn. The Traveling Wilburies, recognizing Harding's developing defensive ability, attempted to convert him into a centerfielder for parts of two seasons, but failed. When he finally got the call, he came up to Brooklyn as a rightfielder. Despite having A+ Power from both sides of the plate, Harding's biggest achievement thus far has been two Gold Glove Awards. His D- Health may keep him from anything more. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
Pick #13 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442332]Ramon Cathey, SP[/url]-New York Youngstuds (from Chicago Cubs)
As Detroit was trying to make the playoffs in '84, the Cubs did; winning the World Series, in fact. Part of their success was in dealing this pick to New York for future Hall-of-Famer 2b Nick Novak. Drafted with a B-/D split, New York gave Cathey full coaching for two seasons in the minors, bringing him up to B+/C- before swapping him over to Baltimore in the AL for a pair of veterans as the Youngstuds went on to post the best NL record in 1988. The Fire gave him two more years of full minor league attention, promoting him in 1990 at A/C+ to pitch full time at the top of their seventh-place rotation. He led the GGL in starts and, amazingly, he went 17-14 that year, finishing third for AL ROY. In 1991 he led the GGL in Shutouts, but has yet to reach the pinnacle of his rookie year success again. He won a Gold Glove in 1993 but is currently out for the season with a torn rotator cuff, but his Skills have grown into a very respectable A+/B. Result? [color=red]BUST[/color]WEEN!
Pick #14 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442313]Billy Crosby, LF[/url]-Cleveland Curve/Oakland Invaders
Cleveland management gave Crosby three solid years of minor league coaching, converting him into a second baseman, but also had him on the Trade Desk for his first two seasons. At the tail end of both 1988-89, he got a call up for the proverbial "cup of coffee" and amassed a total of 33 at-bats over those two trials. In 1990 Crosby came up for good, relegating veteran Marjorie Monaghan to the bench. He hit .290, drove in 71 runs, and won the AL Rookie of the Year Award. He's been an unspectacular second sacker, and new management moved the franchise to Oakland and turned Crosby into a platoon player on the wrong side, playing only against southpaws. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
Pick #15 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442321]Charlie LaRose=Kristi Angus, RF[/url]-Cincinnati Starlets (from Baltimore Fire via NY Youngstuds)
Saying, "A LaRose by any other name would still play as sweet," Charlie LaRose paraphrased Shakespeare and changed his name upon being drafted by the Starlets. Incidentally, the player given up by Cincy for this pick was Marjorie Monaghan ... Angus spent a single year in the Starlets minors, converting to LF while there, but then was installed in CF when promoted at the start of the 1987 season. Angus finished fifth in NL ROY voting that season, won a Gold Glove in 1991, and that was it. In fact, '91 was the last year he played full time, giving way to NL ROY Olivia Williams in 1992. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
Pick #16 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442277]Andy Oliver, SS[/url]-Milwaukee Brew Masters
Oliver spent a beer-soaked eighteen months in the minors, somehow learning how to play second base, and was promoted in June of 1987. He was mostly bench fodder, playing in just 14 games that year, and he returned to the farm in August. He broke camp with the team in '88 but was again used in a utility role getting just 110 at-bats, but it was enough to spoil any hopes of a ROY. He returned to his natural position of SS and played full time from 1989 through 1991, but was basically just a placeholder until rookie Joe Ford was ready to come up. Oliver has since returned to a nondescript utility role. Result? [color=red]BUST![/color]
Damien435
July 04, 2013 at 02:03PM View BBCode
Lots of busts in this class. As I recall, this was the year that made me realize it's not the worst thing in the world to trade away first round picks.
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I should have the last of the report up today or tomorrow.
Thanks for taking the time to read, everyone!
July 04, 2013 at 02:41PM View BBCode
Especially late ones. And most especially if you're getting back a player who's the equivalent of a first rounder.I should have the last of the report up today or tomorrow.
Thanks for taking the time to read, everyone!
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Part the Last
Late round successes in that draft....
Pick #19 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442300]Ivan Milligan=Taylor Shaw, RP[/url]-San Diego Sandlot Mafia
After three years of full coaching by the Mafia, Shaw was dealt to Milwaukee in a package for SP Daryl Collamore in the Spring of '89. He was placed on the 25-man roster a year later, has pitched in at least half the team's games since, and was installed as Closer in 1992. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #31 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442353]Mike Scott, SP[/url]-New York Youngstuds (from Baltimore Fire)
It was fitting that this pick was in Baltimore's slot, as that's where Scott wound up, in the gold and ebon uni of the Fire. He was swapped to the Diamonds in the Montoya deal, then flipped a year later to Baltimore along with prospect Ezra Sutton for veteran Grant Leynard. Like Ramon Cathey, Scott has a power arm that is just now coming into its own and he's won a career-high 12 games at the back end of Baltimore's rotation this season. It's too early to call a Boom, and frankly, he may never reach that status but he's done well for a late second round pick. Result? BETWEEN
Pick #40 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442271]Pete Hands, RP[/url]-Washington Phantoms
Pete Hands had good arms, so the Phantoms didn't give him a lot of coaching that first season, but did promote him to the majors in September and he's never really looked back. He was an unassuming force for Washington, mostly an innings-eater in blowouts, and the Phantoms finally designated him for assignment early this year. The Fire scooped him off the waiver wire a few games into the season and he's responded by appearing in a career high number of games, and has notched 12 Saves so far as the Setup Man in Baltimore. Result? [color=blue]BOOM[/color]TWEEN!
One thing I have noticed as I've clicked my way through this draft is that many of the later round players (well, deep into the third round, anyway) have found their way onto the major league bench or a pitching staff as "B" overall replacement/support parts. Good draft!
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[color=blue]THE CLASS OF 1981, REVISITED[/color]
A look at players then labeled "Between"
That original report is [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/oldforum-viewthread.jsp?tid=342133]here[/url].
1981 Pick #1 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700835]John Taylor=Don Rooney=Barrea Santos[/url]-Brooklyn Traveling Wilburies traded to San Diego
Over the last five years Santos has averaged 16 wins a season and last year won the NL Cy Young, leading the Sandlot Mafia into the World Series, where they lost to the Phantoms. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #2 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700832]Mike Canavan, SP[/url]-Detroit Diamonds traded to Brooklyn
Five years ago I said his WHIP and ERA "certainly speak well of his future" and indeed, after his 1990 trade to the Traveling Wilburies, he was instrumental in their 1991 World Series win. He had two more years of double-digit wins, but fading skills have relegated him to the bullpen with no major awards in his career. New Rating: [color=red]BUST![/color] in the nicest way possible.
Pick #3 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700883]Al Sackinsky, SP[/url] - Cleveland Curve traded to Cubs
I said in my first report that "only a career ERA of 4.59 keep him from being a Boom player." With the Cubbies over the past five seasons, he's been selected for an All Star team, thrown a no-hitter, led the GGL in shutouts and pitched wonderfully in the 1994 NLCS. He's still at the top of Chicago's rotation, though he's bounced from starting to relieving over the past couple of seasons. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #4 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700863]Charlie Difelice, SP[/url]-Milwaukee Mudhens since traded to San Diego
In the last five years, Difelice has led the GGL in Games Started three consecutive seasons. He was relegated to the Sandlot Mafia bullpen the year he was traded but is back in their rotation this season and is second only to Barrea Santos in Wins and ERA. He still has no major awards but is having a career best season as SD heads off to the playoffs again. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color] But just barely. I want to see him finish his career strong.
1981 Pick #6 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700848]Keith McIntosh=Le-a Jones, RP[/url]-Brooklyn Traveling Wilburies, traded to Chicago Cubs.
The prediction of good things for Le-a (Ledasha) was in the first report when it was mentioned he had just been installed as the Cubs' Closer. Indeed, he's saved 215 games in the past five seasons (as of this writing). Twice he led the GGL in Saves, three times was selected for the All Star game, and was the NL Fireman of the Year in 1994. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Here I note that in that first report I had given New York Skyscraper LF Al Kinzy (Pick #8) a tenuous "Boom" rating but said it was contingent on "what have you done for me lately" status. He's done nothing and now plays for the other New York team. I would now give him a [color=red]"BUST!"[/color] rating.
1981 Pick #10 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700874]Whitey Boehmer, C[/url]-Kansas City Kings
Five years ago Boehmer was in a platoon role but getting most of the playing time; he just hadn't done too much with it yet. Over the past five seasons with the Kings, he's moved into the catching slot full time, won two Gold Glove Awards and was selected as an All Star reserve last year. This year it looks like the fans will vote him in as the starter and he seems to have found his power stroke late in his career. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
1981 Pick #12 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700913]Mickey Abbatichio, SP[/url]-New York Youngstuds, traded to St. Louis
In 1992, the Youngstuds were in rebuilding mode and dealt Abbatichio to the Redlegs, who went to the Series (losing to the Skyscrapers). With St. Louis, Mickey has done nothing but win and he made the All Star team in '93. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
1981 Pick #13 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700894]Eric Manzanillo, 1b[/url]-Baltimore Fire, traded to New York (NL), then Washington
Manzanillo played adequately for the Youngstuds but two years ago was dealt to the Phantoms. He has just 116 home runs to show for 10 years in the majors (at a power position), and is now occupying a platoon role in D.C. New Rating: [color=red]BUST![/color]
1981 Pick #16 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700854]Jack Jones, SP[/url]-St. Louis Redlegs, traded to Detroit
At one time the Ace of the St. Louis rotation, Jones was dealt to the Diamonds in 1991 when Detroit began a massive rebuild and dealt away Ace Al Pesky. Since then, he's pitched for a losing ballclub and served as a reluctant Mentor. His career ERA is 4.78 and he will undoubtedly retire without fanfare or accolade. New Rating: [color=red]BUST![/color]
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And there you have this year's report. See you with the next in about two months.
July 06, 2013 at 04:19PM View BBCode
[color=blue]THE CLASS OF 1986[/color]Part the Last
Late round successes in that draft....
Pick #19 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442300]Ivan Milligan=Taylor Shaw, RP[/url]-San Diego Sandlot Mafia
After three years of full coaching by the Mafia, Shaw was dealt to Milwaukee in a package for SP Daryl Collamore in the Spring of '89. He was placed on the 25-man roster a year later, has pitched in at least half the team's games since, and was installed as Closer in 1992. Result? [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #31 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442353]Mike Scott, SP[/url]-New York Youngstuds (from Baltimore Fire)
It was fitting that this pick was in Baltimore's slot, as that's where Scott wound up, in the gold and ebon uni of the Fire. He was swapped to the Diamonds in the Montoya deal, then flipped a year later to Baltimore along with prospect Ezra Sutton for veteran Grant Leynard. Like Ramon Cathey, Scott has a power arm that is just now coming into its own and he's won a career-high 12 games at the back end of Baltimore's rotation this season. It's too early to call a Boom, and frankly, he may never reach that status but he's done well for a late second round pick. Result? BETWEEN
Pick #40 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=9442271]Pete Hands, RP[/url]-Washington Phantoms
Pete Hands had good arms, so the Phantoms didn't give him a lot of coaching that first season, but did promote him to the majors in September and he's never really looked back. He was an unassuming force for Washington, mostly an innings-eater in blowouts, and the Phantoms finally designated him for assignment early this year. The Fire scooped him off the waiver wire a few games into the season and he's responded by appearing in a career high number of games, and has notched 12 Saves so far as the Setup Man in Baltimore. Result? [color=blue]BOOM[/color]TWEEN!
One thing I have noticed as I've clicked my way through this draft is that many of the later round players (well, deep into the third round, anyway) have found their way onto the major league bench or a pitching staff as "B" overall replacement/support parts. Good draft!
+++++
[color=blue]THE CLASS OF 1981, REVISITED[/color]
A look at players then labeled "Between"
That original report is [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/oldforum-viewthread.jsp?tid=342133]here[/url].
1981 Pick #1 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700835]John Taylor=Don Rooney=Barrea Santos[/url]-Brooklyn Traveling Wilburies traded to San Diego
Over the last five years Santos has averaged 16 wins a season and last year won the NL Cy Young, leading the Sandlot Mafia into the World Series, where they lost to the Phantoms. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #2 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700832]Mike Canavan, SP[/url]-Detroit Diamonds traded to Brooklyn
Five years ago I said his WHIP and ERA "certainly speak well of his future" and indeed, after his 1990 trade to the Traveling Wilburies, he was instrumental in their 1991 World Series win. He had two more years of double-digit wins, but fading skills have relegated him to the bullpen with no major awards in his career. New Rating: [color=red]BUST![/color] in the nicest way possible.
Pick #3 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700883]Al Sackinsky, SP[/url] - Cleveland Curve traded to Cubs
I said in my first report that "only a career ERA of 4.59 keep him from being a Boom player." With the Cubbies over the past five seasons, he's been selected for an All Star team, thrown a no-hitter, led the GGL in shutouts and pitched wonderfully in the 1994 NLCS. He's still at the top of Chicago's rotation, though he's bounced from starting to relieving over the past couple of seasons. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Pick #4 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700863]Charlie Difelice, SP[/url]-Milwaukee Mudhens since traded to San Diego
In the last five years, Difelice has led the GGL in Games Started three consecutive seasons. He was relegated to the Sandlot Mafia bullpen the year he was traded but is back in their rotation this season and is second only to Barrea Santos in Wins and ERA. He still has no major awards but is having a career best season as SD heads off to the playoffs again. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color] But just barely. I want to see him finish his career strong.
1981 Pick #6 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700848]Keith McIntosh=Le-a Jones, RP[/url]-Brooklyn Traveling Wilburies, traded to Chicago Cubs.
The prediction of good things for Le-a (Ledasha) was in the first report when it was mentioned he had just been installed as the Cubs' Closer. Indeed, he's saved 215 games in the past five seasons (as of this writing). Twice he led the GGL in Saves, three times was selected for the All Star game, and was the NL Fireman of the Year in 1994. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
Here I note that in that first report I had given New York Skyscraper LF Al Kinzy (Pick #8) a tenuous "Boom" rating but said it was contingent on "what have you done for me lately" status. He's done nothing and now plays for the other New York team. I would now give him a [color=red]"BUST!"[/color] rating.
1981 Pick #10 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700874]Whitey Boehmer, C[/url]-Kansas City Kings
Five years ago Boehmer was in a platoon role but getting most of the playing time; he just hadn't done too much with it yet. Over the past five seasons with the Kings, he's moved into the catching slot full time, won two Gold Glove Awards and was selected as an All Star reserve last year. This year it looks like the fans will vote him in as the starter and he seems to have found his power stroke late in his career. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
1981 Pick #12 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700913]Mickey Abbatichio, SP[/url]-New York Youngstuds, traded to St. Louis
In 1992, the Youngstuds were in rebuilding mode and dealt Abbatichio to the Redlegs, who went to the Series (losing to the Skyscrapers). With St. Louis, Mickey has done nothing but win and he made the All Star team in '93. New Rating: [color=blue]BOOM![/color]
1981 Pick #13 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700894]Eric Manzanillo, 1b[/url]-Baltimore Fire, traded to New York (NL), then Washington
Manzanillo played adequately for the Youngstuds but two years ago was dealt to the Phantoms. He has just 116 home runs to show for 10 years in the majors (at a power position), and is now occupying a platoon role in D.C. New Rating: [color=red]BUST![/color]
1981 Pick #16 - [url=http://www.simdynasty.com/player.jsp?id=8700854]Jack Jones, SP[/url]-St. Louis Redlegs, traded to Detroit
At one time the Ace of the St. Louis rotation, Jones was dealt to the Diamonds in 1991 when Detroit began a massive rebuild and dealt away Ace Al Pesky. Since then, he's pitched for a losing ballclub and served as a reluctant Mentor. His career ERA is 4.78 and he will undoubtedly retire without fanfare or accolade. New Rating: [color=red]BUST![/color]
+++
And there you have this year's report. See you with the next in about two months.
Slimlizard
July 08, 2013 at 01:02PM View BBCode
Man is this awesome! And poor John Holmes, I heard he's limping into the off-season.Pages: 1