McCABE MAGAZINE 5 YEAR LOOK BACK
Season 31 Amateur Draft Where Are They Now
Chicago, ILLINOIS (McC.COM) – With the season 35 amateur
draft completed, we here at McCabe Magazine decided to take a 5 year look back
at the season 31 first round draft selections to see “Where are they Now” the
hits and misses. We gave each player a Grade based on position picked, major
league projections, and current on the field performance. In other words, we
feel the top players selected should be solid major leaguers and projected All-Stars.
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 1 | Arthur Bellhorn | P | 20 | Tampa Bay | Junior College | Tampa Bay | ML |
Bellhorn spent 5 years in the minors before being promoted
to the majors this season, and was selected to only 1 AAA all-star appearances
during that time. He is presently the number 2 starter in Tampa’s rotation with
a 4-2 won/lost, 1.30 Whip and a 3.11 ERA in 28 appearances that includes 7
starts.
Final grade: C-
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 2 | Anthony Groom | P | 18 | Texas | High School | Texas | ML |
This 23 year-old has pitched in parts of 2 major league
season with a career 16-20 record in 44 starts. Sadly, Mr. Groom has only one
winning record during his 5 minor league seasons when he posted a Rookie League
12-3.
Final grade: D
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 3 | Davey Jones | P | 22 | Los Angeles | College | LA | ML |
Another highly rated college pitcher that failed to live up
to his collegiate press clipping. After being drafted Jones was assigned to the
Arizona League Dodgers the Rookie Level affiliate, where he posted a 7-2 record
with a 3.16 ERA. He spent parts of seasons 32, 33, and 34 in the minors before
his call up to the big club in 34. Jones has appeared in 85 major league games
with 45 starts 16-25 record, with a 4.37 ERA. His minor league career stat
line, 116 games, 48 starts, 20-24, with 34 saves in 51 SVO, 4.25 ERA.
Final grade: D
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 4 | Lyle Jordan | SS | 20 | Philadelphia | JC | Philadelphia | ML |
Jordan only spent 2 seasons (31, 32) in the minors and was
promoted to the majors in season 33. Since his call up Jordan has played in 162
games every single year, seasons 33, 34, and 35. In those 3 full seasons he has
94 Home Runs, an averaged 31 per season, 808 RBIs 100.6 per season, with a 269
BA. This 5’11 second basemen from Bedford, Virginia is a season 35 All-Star has
never been on the DL.
Final grade: A
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 5 | Bob Stull | P | 18 | Chicago Sox | HS | Chicago Sox | ML |
Bob Stull is presently is in his second full season in the
majors, going 14-14 last year, and currently has a 13-3 record with a 3.69 ERA.
He won a minor league Cy Young award with a career minor league 99 starts,
54-27 record, 1.19 WHIP and a 2.91 ERA.
Final grade: B+
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 6 | Alexi Solis | P | 18 | Boston | HS | Boston | ML |
This 23 year-old is presently the number 5 starter in the
Red Sox rotation with a 7-3 record, 1.41 WHIP, and a 4.17 ERA. The organization
rushed this potential star to AAA Pawtucket after spending just one season with
Gulf Coast League Red Sox the rookie level affiliate. In the 3 seasons at
Pawtucket, Solis had a combined 13-18 record with 5.20 ERA. However, the scouts
here at McCabe feel he has major league stuff in 5 pitches, with the curveball,
4-seam fastball, and slider being the best of the five.
Final grade: B
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 7 | Jackie Waterson | SS | 18 | Chicago Cubs | HS | Chicago Cubs | ML |
Drafted as a shortstop out of East Orange, NJ Waterson has
been converted to RF this season. He had an outstanding minor league career and
was promoted to the big club in season 35, where he banged out 34 Home Runs, knocked
in 86 Runs, 21-4 stolen bases, while batting 276. This season in only 83 games
Waterson has an amazing 28 HRs, 66 RBIs and a 291 BA.
Final grade: A+
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 8 | Eliezer Tatis | 2B | 19 | Kansas City | JC | Boston | ML |
Kansas City draftee Eliezer Tatis, along with John Spencer (3B), and Chico Uribe (P) was traded to the Boston Red
Sox in season 32 for Max Costilla (1B), and 5 time MVP and first
ballot Hall Famer Wilkin Lopez (2B). In his 2 and ½ major league
seasons Tatis has totaled 77 Home Runs, and 231 RBIs. He is a solid major
leaguer with plenty of pop in his bat.
Final grade: B
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 9 | Vic Chavez | P | 22 | Rochester | College | Rochester | AAA |
Vic Chavez of the Bridgeport Bluefish (AAA) was the 9th
overall selection in season 31 and has never pitched in a major league game.
The most surprising thing to the folks here at McCabe Magazine is this 27
year-old wasn’t invited to spring training this season. One look at his minor
league career stat line and you will quickly realize why the University of
Mississippi graduate hasn’t received that call up. In 107 games with 101 starts
Chavez has a 36-56 record, 1.55 WHIP, with a very unimpressive 5.14 ERA.
Final grade: F
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 10 | Jacque Harang | SS | 18 | Seattle | HS | Chicago Cubs | ML |
Traded to the Cubs in season 34 and assigned to their AA
affiliate where he was moved to third base and remained there until his season
35 call up. That season he batted 324 with 22 HR and 95 RBIs and was selected
to the National League All-Star Team. In 224 major league games and 905 AB the
switch hitting Harang is a career 315 hitter.
Final grade: A
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 11 | Brendan Matthews | P | 20 | Florida | JC | Florida | ML |
Matthews only spent 3 seasons in the minors before being
promoted to the majors at the end of season 33. In season 34, his first full
season in the big leagues, he won the Rookie of the Year Award with a 12-10
record and a 3.12 ERA. He is currently
the Ace on the Marlin's (42-41) staff, a team that has finished 2nd
in the division to the Richmond Virginians 4 conceptive seasons.
Final grade: A
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 12 | Shawn Camp | 1B | 20 | Anaheim | JC | Anaheim | ML |
This McCabe Magazine Rookie of the Year frontrunner is a 4
time minor league MVP is lighting up major league pitching the way a 15
year-old would an 8 year-old T Ball league. In 83 games and 334 at bats this
season, his first full season in the majors, Camp has posted a whopping 31 Home
Runs, 79 RBIs, 338 BA and 1.053 OPS, these are MVP type numbers and should help
the Angels, currently tied for first in the division with the Dodgers, stay in
the playoff hunt.
Final grade: A+
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 13 | Wallace Pedroza | P | 21 | Minnesota | College | None | NA |
Wallace Pedroza never signed with the Twins. He and his
agent Tommy Diaz demanded a signing bonus of $6.7 million to sign with the Twins,
a demand that was $3 million more than the number 1 overall pick. That outrages
demand didn’t receive a counter offer from Minnesota. According to several
front office staffers, Derek Falvey, Executive Vice President and Chief Officer
took the fax with the demand writing on it into the executive restroom, after
about 5 minutes they hear a flush, he returned to his office empty handed and
slammed the door. Pedroza, now 26 is presently a feed and gain sales rep in
Columbia, MO., and working on his master degree in agricultural at the University of Missouri
his alma mater.
Final grade: F+
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 14 | Denny McDonald | RF | 20 | NY Yankees | JC | NY Yankees | AAA |
One of the best contact hitters in the minors, sporting a
minor league career BA of 323 however, the major problem with McDonald is his
lack of power. In 693 minor league games, 2905 AB he has bash out 18 Home Runs,
4 HR 277 AB in season 31, 2 HR 523 AB in season 32, 1 HR in 556 AB season 33, 2
HR in 608 AB season 34, and 5 HR in 589 AB season 35.
Final grade: D
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 15 | Doug Bowles | CF | 19 | Detroit | JC | Detroit | AA |
At present Bowles is assigned to the Erie SeaWolves an AA
affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. This will be his third year with the AA
affiliate. This injury plague Center-Fielder has been placed on the DL six
times during his 5 year pro career. Doug “walking ER” Bowles as he is
affectingly referred to by his team mates has a career 305 BA in 2228 at bats
and 101-58 stolen bases. He has the talent to play at the AAA level only if he
can stay out the trainer’s room.
Final grade: D-
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 16 | Michael Green | P | 18 | Cleveland | HS | Cleveland | ML |
Green is in his second major league season as the number 2
pitcher in the Indians rotation. Last year he posted a 15-7 record with a 3.90
ERA, this season he is 7-2, with 2 complete games, a 1.17 WHIP, and a 2.56 ERA.
Green has 2 major league pitches out of the five he throws. His money pitches
is the 4-seasm fastball and slider, which he can throw to both righties and
lefties, these pitches should keep him in the big leagues for years to come.
Final grade: A
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 17 | Ryan Donaldson | P | 18 | Baltimore | HS | Pittsburgh | ML |
Baltimore trades season 31 draft pick Ryan Donald with Kenny Hammonds (P) to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for Jonathan Haren (P). Donaldson had 135 minor
league starts posting a 49-27 record with a 4.31 ERA. After 7 starts this
season at AAA he was promoted to the big club where he has 8 starts, 2-4 record
and a 6.02 ERA. He throws a 100 mph fastball however, the major issues with
Ryan is the absence of control of his pitches. In his 8 major league starts and
40.1 innings he has strikeout 38 and walked 32. We think he has the stuff to
stick as an innings eater at the major league level as a spot starter or long
reliever.
Final grade: C+
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 18 | Joshua Andreoli | CF | 18 | Pittsburgh | HS | Pittsburgh | ML |
Here we have another light hitting professional ball player
that made it to the major leagues with his glove and his minor league career BA
of 338. Andreoli is a contact hitter, 1 HR in 1213 ML at bats, and has
excellent speed however; we question his base running ability. Last season he
stole 42 bases in 60 attempts, this year he’s 21-11, with a 286 batting
average. Longtime Pittsburgh great Everett Milligan (278-78 stolen bases) who
retired after season 33 has been working with Andreoli on base running
techniques to help be a better thief of the pads. Milligan tells McCabe
Magazine he sees Andreoli stealing 70 to 80 bases per year once he learns the
big league game, “He has the speed, and I see him breaking the club record of
353 held by my former teammate Patrick Heath (Colorado Rookies, CF). I only played 2 seasons 29 and 30 with Pat (Heath), he was the best I ever seen. Not just speed, but running the bags"
Final grade: C
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 19 | Wascar Ontiveros | P | 19 | Arizona | JC | Arizona | ML |
Ontiveros is a professional closer, the only position he’s
ever played since high school. He only spent 2 seasons in the minors, both at
Visalia Rawhide the Diamondbacks High-A affiliate before being promoted to the
majors in season 33. This season Ontiveros has appeared in 34 games, 3-6
record, 20 saves in 20 save opportunities, with a 1.21 WHIP, and a 2.27 ERA.
Final grade: A
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 20 | Victor Kydd | P | 18 | St Louis | HS | St. Louis | ML |
Promoted to the majors early in the season and has only
appeared in 3 games, 4 innings, 0-0 record, 1.00 WHIP, with a 0.00 ERA. Minor
league career stats, 138 games and 138 starts, 57-28 record, 1.17 WHIP, and a
2.76 ERA. Our scouting report tells us he has an excellent fastball and very
good control however, he will have difficulty getting major league lefties out
and his second pitch, the slurve is AAA quality at best.
Final grade: D
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 21 | Jared Bowles | P | 18 | Pittsburgh | HS | Minnesota | AAA |
Bowles has spent his entire 5 year career in the minor
leagues. This season he was traded to the Minnesota Twins where he has appeared
in 16 games with 2 starts. This 23 year-old out of Wausaukee High School in
Wisconsin, where he stills holds the high school state record for wins (30) and
strikeouts (367) has major league stuff and should be on the Twins major league
roster sooner than later.
Final grade: C+
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 22 | Russ Douglas | CF | 18 | Milwaukee | HS | Atlanta | AAA |
Douglas was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers traded to
Pittsburgh then to the Atlanta Braves. After playing in 30 major league games
in Atlanta (127 AB 3 HR 14 RBI 173 BA) he was demoted to Gwinnett Braves, the
AAA affiliate. He played in 66 major league games with the Pirates and 30 with
Atlanta, 121 games, 397 At Bats, 12 Home Runs, 51 RBI, 23-7 SB, and a 227
Batting Average.
Final grade: D-
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 23 | Lonny Robinson | SS | 19 | Minnesota | JC | Minnesota | ML |
This is Robinson’s 4th season on the big league
roster playing in 402 games, 1607 AB, 100 Home Runs, 263 RBI, 253 BA, 12-4 SB
and was a season 35 All-Star selection.
Final grade: B
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 24 | Eugenio Valdespin | P | 18 | Colorado | HS | Colorado | ML |
Valdespin’s minor league dominances (45-15 record 3.19 ERA) haven’t
translated into major league success. He was promoted to the majors in season
34, where pitched in 86 major league games with 19 starts, 10-11 record, 1.52
WHIP and a 5.43 ERA.
Final grade: D
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 25 | Charlie Laker | 2B | 19 | Anaheim | JC | Anaheim | AAA |
Anaheim recently traded this minor leaguer to the Tampa Bay
Rays. During his minor league career in the Angels organization he put up the
following numbers, 2837 AB, 173 Home Runs, 647 RBI with a 303 Batting Average.
Final grade: C
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 26 | Kenny Chambers | C | 18 | Toronto | HS | Toronto | ML |
Kenny Chambers was promoted to the major leagues last year
and was selected to the All-Star game. Since arriving to the big leagues he’s
knocked in 39 Home Runs in season 35, and this year after 80 games Chambers has
banged out 35 Home Runs, 82 RBI with a 354 Batting Average.
Final grade: A+
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 27 | Warren Simmons | 3B | 19 | Richmond | JC | Richmond | ML |
Major league career stats 310 games 1174 AB 35 Home Runs 135
RBI, 54-19 SB with a 260 Batting Average.
Final grade: C-
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 28 | Rob Rando | SS | 18 | Oakland | HS | Oakland | ML |
This young man was drafted base on his glove and we here at
McCabe Magazine feel that will be his ticket to stay at the major league level.
Final grade: C
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 29 | Lawrence Speaker | P | 18 | San Francisco | HS | San Francisco | ML |
Speaker in his second major league season with the Giants
has excellent control with his four pitches however; the quality of his two
best pitches in rated AAA at best. He’s currently in a long-reliever role with
a 6.03 ERA. His major league career stat line, 53 games with 31 starts, 10-15
record 2 Saves with a 4.83 ERA.
Final grade: D+
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| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 30 | Dan O'Brien | LF | 22 | Colorado | College | Washington | ML |
Promoted to the major leagues at the end of season 34 where
he’s played a solid left-field for the Nationals. In his first full season (35)
O’Brien played in 134 games, got 504 AB knocking in 27 Home Runs, 97 RBI 19-4
SB and a 286 Batting Average. This season after 84 games he’s banged out 23
Home Runs with 58 RBI.
Final grade: B
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 31 | Nerio Kinney | P | 18 | Atlanta | HS | Chicago Cubs | AAA |
This well-traveled 23 year-old has played for 4 different
organizations during his brief 5 year career. Drafted by Atlanta and traded to
the New York Mets in season 32. He played in 9 games with the Mets at the
High-A level and traded to the Texas Rangers. In season 34 the Rangers traded
him to the Cubs who promoted him to the majors during season 35. The season
Kinney start the season on the major league roster and was demoted to AAA after
appearing in 21 games all in relieve posting a 1-1 record, 3 blown saves and a
5.97 ERA.
Final grade: D-
| Pick | Player | Pos | Age | Franchise | Background | Current Team | Level |
| 32 | Hub Steele | P | 18 | Cincinnati | HS | None | NA |
Hub Steele and his agent Rex Brantley requested a signing
bonus of $6 million to sign with the Reds. We made several attempts to contact
Brantley and Steele, now playing in Japan regarding the negotiations but were
unsuccessful. Brantley, after becoming irate with our requests, threaten
several members of our staff with a hand gun, which was later found out to be
an air pistol.
Final grade F-
Final grade F-
