Lead Story - 2/13/2019 Mock Draft Young SS phenom Derek Jeter is projected #1 in top heavy draft 1996 Mock Draft (by Bhicks42)
1. St Louis Cardinals - SS Derek Jeter Kalamazoo MI - 21
The Cardinals are searching for an identity and Derek Jeter could definitely bring pride back to St Louis. Jeter fills a hole left in the infield when Ozzie Smith left town. He’s a very good defensive player who can also hit. Projects to be an All Star if things go as planned for him. He’s a near lock as the best player in the draft. New ownership should be happy to grab him with the #1 spot unless a trade happens.
2. Colorado Rockies - 1B/C Mike Sweeney Ontario, CA - 21
The Rockies have multiple needs at this point but I think they will go with Sweeney, the young on base stud. He figures to be a very consistent hitter in the big leagues. Off the field he’s a very smart young man, he’s fluent in Spanish and a devout Catholic.
3. Oakland Athletics - C Jason Kendall San Diego CA - 21
With many holes to fill and 4 picks in the first round, I would fully expect a “best available” approach to the draft for Oakland. Jason’s father Fred played in the bigs for 11 years and Jason is primed for a great run himself. Super gritty guy behind the plate. Uses his body and blocks the ball well. Has speed and can steal bases better than the average catcher.
4. LA Dodgers - SP Chan Ho Park Gongju, South Korea - 22
International prospect who’s had great numbers. Has won 2 silver medals for the Korean National team. His 4 seamer sits in the mid 90s and tops out at 100. Is currently a sophomore at Hanyang University in Seoul. LA has a good core with the two Jose’s in the infield, and ace Ramon Martinez on the mound. The staff is aging fast after Ramon. I think they definitely go pitching here and Park is the most intriguing man available.
5.Boston Red Sox - SP Paul Byrd Louisville, Ky - 24
There are few bright spots for the BoSox right now. They’re aging fast. One lone bright spot is closer Mariano Rivera. Playing for a team that had only 63 wins last year, Rivera had 29 saves. I fully expect Boston to go get someone to put him in a better spot to come in and close out games. Byrd played college ball at LSU where they won the College World Series. Has a crazy, old fashioned windup but gets the job done.
6. Baltimore Orioles - SS Edgar Renteria Barranquilla, Colombia - 18
Renteria seems like a great fit here for Baltimore. Though his actual age is somewhat disputed, this kids potential is not. He has a great glove, can move when he gets on and hits the ball very well. He could play immediately, or Baltimore may chose to let him marinate a while and build their roster up a bit.
7. Atlanta Braves - RP Billy Wagner Tannersville, VA - 23
“Billy the Kid” is a fireballer lefty who should keep mowing down batters in the bigs. Wagner is a natural right hander who broke his right arm twice as a kid and learned to throw with his left. I think if he lasts to this point, Atlanta will jump all over him. Coach Birdy has turned the corner with the Braves and they are headed in the right direction.
8. Houston Astros - SP Jason Schmidt Kelso, WA - 22
No brainer pick here for the Stros. They must go pitching. If Schmidt lasts to this point, I believe he goes. Schmidt attended Kelso HS where he played football and basketball in addition to baseball. As a senior he tossed a no hitter striking out 20 of the 21 batters he faced. He was named Washington's Gatorade State Player of the Year and All-State MVP in baseball. He was offered a scholarship to the University of Arizona but plans to turn pro.
9. Oakland Athletics - OF Darin Erstad Jamestown, ND - 21.
Darin is baseball’s equivalent of a gym rat. There is rarely a time when he isn’t doing something to improve his game. He was an excellent athlete in high school. He played baseball, football, hockey and ran track. In track, he was the state champion in 110- and 300-meter hurdles. At 6-2 and 200 pounds, Darin is just about everything a big-league team could want in a centerfielder. He hits for average and power, plays fearless, mistake-free defense, has a strong throwing arm, and uses his speed to unnerve opposing hurlers. That package of skills is difficult for anyone to pass up and even though Oakland is starving for pitchers, I say they go best available here and grab their centerfielder of the future.
10. Detroit Tigers - OF Matt Lawton Gulfport MS - 23
Detroit could reach here and go with need and grab a SS. If Jeter and Renteria are gone at this point, they should hold off and grab Lawton to fill out their outfield. He’s a lefty who looks to play RF. He’s a solid hitter and very good defender.
11.NY Mets - 2B Luis Castillo
12.Florida Marlins-SP Francisco Cordero
13.SD Padres - SP Darren Dreifort
14.LA Angels - OF Matt Stairs
15.Minnesota Twins - RP Ugeth Urbina
16.Toronto Blue Jays - 2B Mark Loretta
17.Oakland Athletics - 3B Bill Mueller
18.San Fran Giants - C Mike Leiberthal
19.Montreal Expos- SP Justin Thompson
20.Milwaukee Brewers-OF Jermaine Dye
21.Chi White Sox -RP LaTroy Hawkins
22.NY Yankees - 3B Joe Randa
23.Cleveland - OF Todd Hollandsworth
24.Philadelphia -RP TJ Matthews
25.Seattle - RP Antonio Osuna
26.Cincinnati - OF FP Santangelo
27.Oakland - SP Jose Rosado
28.Pittsburgh - OF Marvin Benard |
2/20/2019
Edmonds powers Rockies to win over Dodgers
Jim Edmonds blasted 2 homers, lifting the Rockies to a 17-6 win over Los Angeles. Kal Daniels had a big game as well, knocking in 3 runs for Los Angeles while recording 3 hits. |
BoxEusebio sparks 8-4 win for Expos
Tony Eusebio's hot bat helped the Expos to a 8-4 win over the Reds. Eusebio collected 4 hits in the game. |
BoxSurhoff blasts off, leads Brewers to win
B.J. Surhoff blasted 2 homers, lifting the Brewers to a 6-4 win over Toronto. |
BoxBurnitz blasts off, leads Tigers to win
Jeromy Burnitz blasted 2 homers, lifting the Tigers to a 7-2 win over Kansas City. |
BoxHanson whiffs 8 in 7-1 win
Erik Hanson struckout 8 Oakland batters in a 7-1 win for the Mariners. |
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