Post by Sha-Le Unique on Jan 8, 2014 17:46:04 GMT -5
As we continue with Part 2 of this FPR series, we move to the AL Central, which hasn't always been the strongest division, but has certainly had its fair share of great players.
Chicago White Sox
1. 1B Frank Thomas
Draft Class: 1989
Ratings: B/G/P/B/B/G, D speed, D steals, E range, Loyal
Frank Thomas, who was just elected to the real Baseball Hall of Fame today, obviously has to be a lock for the future White Sox GM to reserve when the time comes. You don't pass on brilliant hits and homers. That just doesn't happen, unless the White Sox are bad enough to draft him without needing to make an actual reservation. Thomas will be a consistent presence on the bases, both with hits and a great eye that will draw a lot of walks. His power should obviously be off the charts and despite being the "Big Hurt" his mobility isn't all that terrible either. Defensive range might look like a concern, but an increase there and maybe a Spring Training boost could improve. He will probably be a better fit in the AL though with the DH option being available.
2. C Carlton Fisk
Draft Class: 1967
Ratings: A/A/F/G/A/G, C speed, B steals, B range
Carlton Fisk was one of the greatest all-around catchers of all time and possibly the best offensive catcher before the Mike Piazza era began. Fisk though had the speed and throwing arm behind the plate that the lumbering Piazza never had. He only starts out with average in hits, so he will need a hits increase to become a great player here. With C/B for running/stealing, he could be a consistent 30/30 presence, which would be very rare for a catcher. Great catchers are a dime a dozen, so this should definitely be the one reservation Mark makes for the White Sox before heading into Canada in 1977 to take over the Jays.
3. SP Jack McDowell
Draft Class: 1987
Ratings: G/A/G/G/A, A duration
Normally a pitcher with McDowell's ratings would be above a hitter like Fisk, but Fisk being a catcher makes him that much more valuable. The future White Sox GM will most likely not be able to reserve McDowell after Fisk's likely reservation and Thomas looming 2 drafts later. Nonetheless, the 1993 real life AL Cy Young Award winner will be good in hits, home runs and walks allowed, will have A duration and should turn into a very solid starting pitcher.
Honorable Mentions: Paul Konerko, Harold Baines, Magglio Ordonez, Robin Ventura, Alex Fernandez, Mark Buerhle
Cleveland Indians
1. LF/RF Albert Belle
Draft Class: 1987
Ratings: G/B/F/B/G/A, C speed, D steals, C range @ LF, D range @ RF
The Indians had quite a lineup in the 1990s. Albert Belle though was their big star in the early half of the decade. He is still the only player to ever hit 50 home runs and over 50 doubles in the same season, which he did in his career season in 1995. Belle should start off with good in hits, brilliant in home runs and good in walks, which should turn him into a great overall hitter. His speed and range will be decent at best. This should be an easy pick for Ashes.
2. 1B/3B Jim Thome
Draft Class: 1989
Ratings: A/G/F/B/B/F, E speed, E stealing, D range @ 1B and 3B
Jim Thome was another great hitter throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He had a lot of power and a sensational eye that led to a remarkable career average of 111 walks per season. He is more than deserving to be brilliant in both categories. The average in hits is also deserving, but a hits increase could raise that to good. He won't be mobile on the bases and his defensive range won't be the greatest either, but a potential Indians lineup with both Belle and Thome would be scary!
3. SP Cliff Lee
Draft Class: 2000
Ratings: G/G/G/B/G, A duration
This one was really close between CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, but while Sabathia will probably be rated Good across the board, Lee is very deserving of Brilliant in walks, which would give him the edge. Lee should turn into an innings eater with great control and a very effective starter for any rotation he is in.
Honorable Mentions: Kenny Lofton, CC Sabathia
Kansas City Royals
1. 3B/1B George Brett
Draft Class: 1971
Ratings: B/B/B/A/A/B, B speed, C stealing, B range @ 3B and 1B, Loyal
It's only proper that the future Royals GM will almost certainly make George Brett the team's first reservation. Brilliant in hits is something that you can't pass up, and brilliant in doubles and triples is nice as well. Brett may not be too much of a slugger or walk machine, but he should still turn into a cornerstone player that a young 70s Royals team that can eventually build around. No-brainer pick here.
2. SP Bret Saberhagen
Draft Class: 1982
Ratings: G/G/G/B/A, A duration
11 years after reserving the best Royals' player in team history, the Royals should look to reserve the real franchise's best pitcher as well. That would be Bret Saberhagen, who won a pair of AL Cy Young Awards in 1985 and 1989. Saberhagen was a control specialist through most of his career, which included a spectacular 143/13 strikeout/walk ratio in 1994 as a member of the Mets. He should emerge as an eventual ace for the Royals and with limited options in general, the Royals should strongly consider him for reservations.
3. CF Carlos Beltran
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: G/G/G/G/G/A, B speed, A steals, A range
For as much of a phenomenon as Bo Jackson was in the late 1980s, his career averages still do not stack up to that of Carlos Beltran, who could arguably be considered a top 10 all-time center fielder. In his prime, Beltran was a very legitimate 5-tool player. He has only batted above .300 in four of his 16 seasons thus far, but has always displayed reliable consistency at the plate year in and year out. He has hit over 20 home runs in 11 different seasons, which should warrant a good in home runs. He also drew a lot of walks. On the bases, Beltran stole a lot of bases and has been successful in nearly 87% of his attempts, which should be enough for the A in stealing. Defensively, Beltran has been one of the best center fielders and had both tremendous range and a great throwing arm. He's the complete package and if the Royals feel like passing on Saberhagen, it would make sense in a way because Beltran is that good of a player.
I personally do not plan on reserving Beltran with the Mets, being he spent parts of 7 seasons each with the Royals and Mets. So the Royals are more than welcome to reserve him.
Honorable Mentions: Bo Jackson, Johnny Damon, Zack Greinke
Milwaukee Brewers
1. LF/3B Ryan Braun
Draft Class: 2005
Ratings: B/B/A/B/A/A, B speed, B steals, B range @ LF, E range @ 3B, Loyal
The other team joining the AL in 1969 with the Royals will be the Seattle Pilots. Who? They only existed for one season...before relocating to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers in 1970.
Steve will probably not agree with this in his heart, but when it comes to career averages and ratings for a sim league, the numbers don't lie. Ryan Braun in that sense has been the greatest player in Brewers history thus far. Sorry, Steve.
Yes, he eventually admitted to using PED's, but in his young career, Braun is already deserving of brilliant in both hits and home runs. This is a no-brainer reservation for the eventual Brewers GM when the time comes. Braun can also run and could become a consistent 30/30, or even 40/40 player in the future. Third base defensively was not a good original fit for Braun, but he transitioned well to left field and it should show with the ranges he gets at both positions.
2. 1B Prince Fielder
Draft Class: 2002
Ratings: G/G/P/B/B/A, E speed, E steals, D range
Another good future selection down the road for the Brewers would be Prince Fielder, who has become one of baseball's elite sluggers since the mid-2000s. His ratings are not as good as Braun's and it's doubtful that the future Brewers GM will wait that long to select both of them. Nonetheless, Fielder should produce a consistent average, a lot of home runs, a bunch of walks, and decent defense at first base.
3. SS/CF Robin Yount
Draft Class: 1973
Ratings: G/G/G/A/A/G, C running, B steals, B range @ SS, C range @ CF, Loyal
The biggest reason why the Brewers will probably not end up reserving both Braun and Fielder is Robin Yount, who is arguably considered the greatest player in Brewers history. Yount was a gamer, a consistent hitter, a good base runner and reliable defender at both shortstop and center field. His ratings probably won't be the greatest because he only had decent power and didn't draw that many walks, but nonetheless, he'd be a very solid choice and I bet the future Brewers GM will end up reserving him unless the Brewers play poorly enough in 1972 to get the first overall pick.
Honorable Mentions: Paul Molitor, Pete Vuckovich, Jeromy Burnitz, Geoff Jenkins
Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins
The Senators/Twins are in a unique spot, being that Adam already reserved Harmon Killebrew in 1954. Thus, the Twins most likely will only have 1 more reservation to make in the future.
1. C/1B Joe Mauer
Draft Class: 2001
Ratings: B/B/F/A/G/G, C speed, D steals, C range @ Catcher, B range @ 1B (where he will likely play for the rest of his real career), Loyal
Two players in particular would be great reservation choices in the future for Adam to consider. But as I said with Fisk, good catchers are a dime a dozen. Mauer will certainly have brilliant hits, which would be quite rare for a catcher. He will get on base a lot and provide decent power at the plate. His speed and defense should both be decent at best. He is the current face of the Twins' franchise today and he would be an excellent choice if Adam can be patient enough.
2. SP Johan Santana
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: B/G/A/B/B, A duration
If Adam decides to go with better pitching though, Johan Santana would be a solid choice in itself. Santana is more than deserving for brilliant in hits and walks. The fact that he has always been a fly ball pitcher will lead to average in home runs, but an increase there could bring it to good. Santana is an innings eater, has great control and should rack up a ton of strikeouts as well. Again, Adam will likely have to choose between Mauer and Santana for his second reservation. While Mauer would probably be the better choice, Santana would still be a great choice as well.
3. 1B/2B Rod Carew
Draft Class: 1964
Ratings: B/G/G/F/G/B, B running, B stealing, B range @ 1B, C range @ 2B
With Mauer and Santana out there, it's highly doubtful Adam will consider reserving a Hall of Famer like Rod Carew. Regardless, Carew was a great contact hitter and had a lot of speed as well. His defense was also very reliable. Wherever he goes, Carew will be a spark-plug in the lineup and a great leadoff hitter.
Honorable Mentions: Jim Perry, Tony Oliva, Frank Viola, Kirby Puckett, Justin Morneau
Part 3, featuring the AL West coming soon!
Chicago White Sox
1. 1B Frank Thomas
Draft Class: 1989
Ratings: B/G/P/B/B/G, D speed, D steals, E range, Loyal
Frank Thomas, who was just elected to the real Baseball Hall of Fame today, obviously has to be a lock for the future White Sox GM to reserve when the time comes. You don't pass on brilliant hits and homers. That just doesn't happen, unless the White Sox are bad enough to draft him without needing to make an actual reservation. Thomas will be a consistent presence on the bases, both with hits and a great eye that will draw a lot of walks. His power should obviously be off the charts and despite being the "Big Hurt" his mobility isn't all that terrible either. Defensive range might look like a concern, but an increase there and maybe a Spring Training boost could improve. He will probably be a better fit in the AL though with the DH option being available.
2. C Carlton Fisk
Draft Class: 1967
Ratings: A/A/F/G/A/G, C speed, B steals, B range
Carlton Fisk was one of the greatest all-around catchers of all time and possibly the best offensive catcher before the Mike Piazza era began. Fisk though had the speed and throwing arm behind the plate that the lumbering Piazza never had. He only starts out with average in hits, so he will need a hits increase to become a great player here. With C/B for running/stealing, he could be a consistent 30/30 presence, which would be very rare for a catcher. Great catchers are a dime a dozen, so this should definitely be the one reservation Mark makes for the White Sox before heading into Canada in 1977 to take over the Jays.
3. SP Jack McDowell
Draft Class: 1987
Ratings: G/A/G/G/A, A duration
Normally a pitcher with McDowell's ratings would be above a hitter like Fisk, but Fisk being a catcher makes him that much more valuable. The future White Sox GM will most likely not be able to reserve McDowell after Fisk's likely reservation and Thomas looming 2 drafts later. Nonetheless, the 1993 real life AL Cy Young Award winner will be good in hits, home runs and walks allowed, will have A duration and should turn into a very solid starting pitcher.
Honorable Mentions: Paul Konerko, Harold Baines, Magglio Ordonez, Robin Ventura, Alex Fernandez, Mark Buerhle
Cleveland Indians
1. LF/RF Albert Belle
Draft Class: 1987
Ratings: G/B/F/B/G/A, C speed, D steals, C range @ LF, D range @ RF
The Indians had quite a lineup in the 1990s. Albert Belle though was their big star in the early half of the decade. He is still the only player to ever hit 50 home runs and over 50 doubles in the same season, which he did in his career season in 1995. Belle should start off with good in hits, brilliant in home runs and good in walks, which should turn him into a great overall hitter. His speed and range will be decent at best. This should be an easy pick for Ashes.
2. 1B/3B Jim Thome
Draft Class: 1989
Ratings: A/G/F/B/B/F, E speed, E stealing, D range @ 1B and 3B
Jim Thome was another great hitter throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He had a lot of power and a sensational eye that led to a remarkable career average of 111 walks per season. He is more than deserving to be brilliant in both categories. The average in hits is also deserving, but a hits increase could raise that to good. He won't be mobile on the bases and his defensive range won't be the greatest either, but a potential Indians lineup with both Belle and Thome would be scary!
3. SP Cliff Lee
Draft Class: 2000
Ratings: G/G/G/B/G, A duration
This one was really close between CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, but while Sabathia will probably be rated Good across the board, Lee is very deserving of Brilliant in walks, which would give him the edge. Lee should turn into an innings eater with great control and a very effective starter for any rotation he is in.
Honorable Mentions: Kenny Lofton, CC Sabathia
Kansas City Royals
1. 3B/1B George Brett
Draft Class: 1971
Ratings: B/B/B/A/A/B, B speed, C stealing, B range @ 3B and 1B, Loyal
It's only proper that the future Royals GM will almost certainly make George Brett the team's first reservation. Brilliant in hits is something that you can't pass up, and brilliant in doubles and triples is nice as well. Brett may not be too much of a slugger or walk machine, but he should still turn into a cornerstone player that a young 70s Royals team that can eventually build around. No-brainer pick here.
2. SP Bret Saberhagen
Draft Class: 1982
Ratings: G/G/G/B/A, A duration
11 years after reserving the best Royals' player in team history, the Royals should look to reserve the real franchise's best pitcher as well. That would be Bret Saberhagen, who won a pair of AL Cy Young Awards in 1985 and 1989. Saberhagen was a control specialist through most of his career, which included a spectacular 143/13 strikeout/walk ratio in 1994 as a member of the Mets. He should emerge as an eventual ace for the Royals and with limited options in general, the Royals should strongly consider him for reservations.
3. CF Carlos Beltran
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: G/G/G/G/G/A, B speed, A steals, A range
For as much of a phenomenon as Bo Jackson was in the late 1980s, his career averages still do not stack up to that of Carlos Beltran, who could arguably be considered a top 10 all-time center fielder. In his prime, Beltran was a very legitimate 5-tool player. He has only batted above .300 in four of his 16 seasons thus far, but has always displayed reliable consistency at the plate year in and year out. He has hit over 20 home runs in 11 different seasons, which should warrant a good in home runs. He also drew a lot of walks. On the bases, Beltran stole a lot of bases and has been successful in nearly 87% of his attempts, which should be enough for the A in stealing. Defensively, Beltran has been one of the best center fielders and had both tremendous range and a great throwing arm. He's the complete package and if the Royals feel like passing on Saberhagen, it would make sense in a way because Beltran is that good of a player.
I personally do not plan on reserving Beltran with the Mets, being he spent parts of 7 seasons each with the Royals and Mets. So the Royals are more than welcome to reserve him.
Honorable Mentions: Bo Jackson, Johnny Damon, Zack Greinke
Milwaukee Brewers
1. LF/3B Ryan Braun
Draft Class: 2005
Ratings: B/B/A/B/A/A, B speed, B steals, B range @ LF, E range @ 3B, Loyal
The other team joining the AL in 1969 with the Royals will be the Seattle Pilots. Who? They only existed for one season...before relocating to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers in 1970.
Steve will probably not agree with this in his heart, but when it comes to career averages and ratings for a sim league, the numbers don't lie. Ryan Braun in that sense has been the greatest player in Brewers history thus far. Sorry, Steve.
Yes, he eventually admitted to using PED's, but in his young career, Braun is already deserving of brilliant in both hits and home runs. This is a no-brainer reservation for the eventual Brewers GM when the time comes. Braun can also run and could become a consistent 30/30, or even 40/40 player in the future. Third base defensively was not a good original fit for Braun, but he transitioned well to left field and it should show with the ranges he gets at both positions.
2. 1B Prince Fielder
Draft Class: 2002
Ratings: G/G/P/B/B/A, E speed, E steals, D range
Another good future selection down the road for the Brewers would be Prince Fielder, who has become one of baseball's elite sluggers since the mid-2000s. His ratings are not as good as Braun's and it's doubtful that the future Brewers GM will wait that long to select both of them. Nonetheless, Fielder should produce a consistent average, a lot of home runs, a bunch of walks, and decent defense at first base.
3. SS/CF Robin Yount
Draft Class: 1973
Ratings: G/G/G/A/A/G, C running, B steals, B range @ SS, C range @ CF, Loyal
The biggest reason why the Brewers will probably not end up reserving both Braun and Fielder is Robin Yount, who is arguably considered the greatest player in Brewers history. Yount was a gamer, a consistent hitter, a good base runner and reliable defender at both shortstop and center field. His ratings probably won't be the greatest because he only had decent power and didn't draw that many walks, but nonetheless, he'd be a very solid choice and I bet the future Brewers GM will end up reserving him unless the Brewers play poorly enough in 1972 to get the first overall pick.
Honorable Mentions: Paul Molitor, Pete Vuckovich, Jeromy Burnitz, Geoff Jenkins
Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins
The Senators/Twins are in a unique spot, being that Adam already reserved Harmon Killebrew in 1954. Thus, the Twins most likely will only have 1 more reservation to make in the future.
1. C/1B Joe Mauer
Draft Class: 2001
Ratings: B/B/F/A/G/G, C speed, D steals, C range @ Catcher, B range @ 1B (where he will likely play for the rest of his real career), Loyal
Two players in particular would be great reservation choices in the future for Adam to consider. But as I said with Fisk, good catchers are a dime a dozen. Mauer will certainly have brilliant hits, which would be quite rare for a catcher. He will get on base a lot and provide decent power at the plate. His speed and defense should both be decent at best. He is the current face of the Twins' franchise today and he would be an excellent choice if Adam can be patient enough.
2. SP Johan Santana
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: B/G/A/B/B, A duration
If Adam decides to go with better pitching though, Johan Santana would be a solid choice in itself. Santana is more than deserving for brilliant in hits and walks. The fact that he has always been a fly ball pitcher will lead to average in home runs, but an increase there could bring it to good. Santana is an innings eater, has great control and should rack up a ton of strikeouts as well. Again, Adam will likely have to choose between Mauer and Santana for his second reservation. While Mauer would probably be the better choice, Santana would still be a great choice as well.
3. 1B/2B Rod Carew
Draft Class: 1964
Ratings: B/G/G/F/G/B, B running, B stealing, B range @ 1B, C range @ 2B
With Mauer and Santana out there, it's highly doubtful Adam will consider reserving a Hall of Famer like Rod Carew. Regardless, Carew was a great contact hitter and had a lot of speed as well. His defense was also very reliable. Wherever he goes, Carew will be a spark-plug in the lineup and a great leadoff hitter.
Honorable Mentions: Jim Perry, Tony Oliva, Frank Viola, Kirby Puckett, Justin Morneau
Part 3, featuring the AL West coming soon!
