Post by Sha-Le Unique on Apr 23, 2014 20:56:56 GMT -5
Last but not least, there is the NL West, which includes two current teams that will soon be relocating, plus three others that will come to existence in the future.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Goldschmidt is a young star in the making and the player that the Diamondbacks have built their team around.
1. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Draft Class: 2009
Ratings: G/B/F/B/G/F, C speed, B steals, A range, Loyal
For the most part, I've tried to avoid using current young stars for this shit. But for a team like the Diamondbacks who came into MLB in 1998, there will be slim pickings. With Randy Johnson going to be classified as a Mariner, Goldschmidt is arguably going to the best option for the future Diamondbacks GM. By the time we get to 2009 in this league, a few real years will have probably gone by and Goldschmidt's ratings could end up being that much better, hence why his homers are rated here as brilliant.
The new D-Backs GM will have to be a bit patient, but Goldschmidt has become a star and is worth the reservation in what will be a loaded 2009 draft.
2. LF/RF Justin Upton
Draft Class: 2005
Ratings: A/G/G/G/G/F, C speed, B steals, B range @ LF, B range @ RF
Chris has hinted that the Rays and D-Backs might only end up getting 1 FPR with how late they'll come into the league, but if the D-Backs are given a second choice as well, Justin Upton would be a solid selection. Upton will probably have average hits, which would mean a hits increase would be essential to do. But the power and ability to get on-base will be there and he will steal some bases too. Upton hasn't really reached his full potential in reality just yet, but he's a very talented player and you can't go wrong with reserving him.
3. SP Brandon Webb
Draft Class: 2000
Ratings: G/G/B/G/G, A duration
While Luis Gonzalez would obviously be a great option for the future D-Backs GM, he was drafted in 1988, which of course was 10 years before the D-Backs existed. Don't really think that will end up working out. As a result, Brandon Webb is another solid option. For a 3 year stretch from 2006-2008, few pitchers around were better than Webb, who won the NL Cy Young Award in 2006. Unfortunately for him, he got hurt in 2009 and never pitched in the majors again due to various injuries. He retired last year after a few comeback attempts ended up failing.
Honorable Mention: Mark Reynolds
Colorado Rockies
Todd Helton was the greatest player in Rockies history and Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are the team's two current star hitters.
1. 1B Todd Helton
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: B/B/F/G/B/G, D speed, E steals, A range, Loyal
Throughout their team's history, the Rockies have been known for hitting, hitting, hitting, hitting and more hitting. Not surprisingly, everyone worthy of an FPR here is a hitter. But at the top of the list has to be the Toddfather himself, Todd Helton. Helton spent his entire 17 year career with the Rockies and leads in just about every offensive team category.
With a career .316 average, he is more than deserving of brilliant hits. He will simply rake and hit like crazy all the time. And being that he will play his home games in Coors Field aka the best hitting park in the game, the sky is the limit for Helton's success. .400 average and 50 homer seasons should happen quite often for someone like him. This is an easy reservation for the future Rockies GM once we get to the 90s. Absolutely no second guessing involved.
2. SS Troy Tulowitzki
Draft Class: 2005
Ratings: G/G/A/G/G/A, C speed, C steals, A range, Loyal
With the Rockies coming into existence in 1993, that means that all the Blake Street Bombers will not be eligible for Rockies FPR's in the 1980s. This means no Larry Walker, Andres Galarraga, Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla, Ellis Burks or Eric Young Sr. reservations for the Rockies, unfortunately. I also just realized Matt Holliday now has more service time with the Cardinals than the Rockies. As a result, the next best option would have to be current shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
Tulo has had some trouble staying healthy, but when healthy is one of, if not the best shortstop in the game. He hits for average and power, gets on base, drives in runs and plays very good defense. He would be a very good selection for the Rockies GM, especially because he is a shortstop and it's tough to find such great talent at the position.
3. OF Carlos Gonzalez
Draft Class: 2003
Ratings: G/G/G/G/A/A, B speed, B steals, C range @ LF, C range @ CF, D range @ RF, Loyal
Carlos Gonzalez and Tulowitzki are teammates and two faces of the Rockies today. But because Gonzalez is an outfielder, that's why he is a notch lower than Tulowitzki. While Tulowitzki would be a more logical FPR, Gonzalez would still be a great choice as well. He has more speed and one of the best looking swings I've ever seen. He has won several NL Gold Glove Awards, which shows that he can more than certainly hold his own defensively.
Honorable Mention: Wilin Rosario, Charlie Blackmon
Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp are hoping to lead the Dodgers to their first World Series championship since 1988.
1. SP Clayton Kershaw
Draft Class: 2006
Ratings: B/B/B/G/B, A duration, Loyal
Jeremy is in a unique situation compared to most GM's, being that he already has made an FPR in Sandy Koufax, which was something you can't pass up on. So more than likely, Jeremy will only have 1 more FPR to do in the future. If he is patient enough to wait over 50 seasons, he can reserve Clayton Kershaw, who has become the best pitcher in the game today. He has a pair of NL Cy Young Awards and has led the NL in ERA in three consecutive seasons. With those ratings, he should turn into a future Dodgers ace for Jeremy. This will largely depend on whether Jeremy is patient enough to wait this long for someone like Kershaw. If not, there are other options.
2. CF Matt Kemp
Draft Class: 2003
Ratings: G/G/A/G/A/F, B speed, B steals, D range @ CF, E range @ RF, Loyal
Offensively, the Dodgers' lineup has been built around center fielder Matt Kemp. It took a couple seasons for Kemp to really get going, but by 2009, Kemp was a star. He then had an amazing 2011 season that included a .324 average, 39 home runs, 126 RBI and 40 stolen bases. He has since been plagued by injuries in the past two seasons, but if healthy, is still one of the most dangerous hitters around. Kemp will likely need a walks increase here, but with his other ratings and the good speed, he will be a very good player for the Dodgers if Jeremy chooses to reserve him.
3. SP Orel Hershiser
Draft Class: 1979
Ratings: G/G/G/B/A, A duration, Loyal
When the Dodgers had their World Series run in 1988, everyone will remember the famous Kirk Gibson home run. But how were the Dodgers able to get past the mighty Mets in the 1988 NLCS? Orel Hershiser. Hershiser was so dominant that postseason, with a 1-0 record and a 1.09 ERA in three NLCS starts and four total appearances. He threw two complete games in his two World Series starts and had a shutout in one of them. Not surprisingly, Hershiser also won the NL Cy Young Award that year.
Altogether, Hershiser had a very good career with 204 wins and a 3.48 ERA. This selection would not be as good as Kershaw later on, but still someone to at least consider.
Honorable Mentions: Don Sutton, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Fernando Valenzuela, Eric Karros, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo, Adrian Beltre, Andre Ethier
San Diego Padres
Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn was one of the greatest pure hitters of all time.
1. RF Tony Gwynn
Draft Class: 1981
Ratings: B/G/G/F/A/B, C speed, B steals, C range @ RF, C range @ CF, Loyal
Mr. Padre had quite a career that was spent exclusively with the Padres. And his career numbers are simply eye popping and jaw dropping. A lifetime .338 hitter...that's just remarkable! 8 batting titles (half of which were over .365). 15 All-Star appearances. Career .388 OBP. Oh and he won 5 NL Gold Glove Award as well. Gwynn was clearly one of the biggest stars and the face of the Padres throughout most of the 1980s and all of the 1990s. He was appropriately selected to the Hall of Fame in 2007.
This is a clear no-brainer for the future Padres GM. Who knows if the Padres will ever have a player that put together a career in their uniform better than Gwynn's.
2. SP Randy Jones
Draft Class: 1972
Ratings: G/G/B/B/F, A duration
Randy Jones' career only lasted ten seasons, but he was as dominant as anyone in 1975 and 1976. He won the NL Cy Young Award in 1976. Jones was a very good lefty, who became the Padres' first great pitcher in team history. He would be a great FPR selection with those ratings (gotta love the brilliant homers and walks combo), but whether the future Padres GM decides between Jones and another famous Padre in back to back drafts will be interesting to see.
3. RF Dave Winfield
Draft Class: 1973
Ratings: G/G/A/G/G/G, C speed, C steals, C range @ RF, D range @ LF, D range @ CF
Fellow Hall of Famer Dave Winfield split the vast majority of his career between the Padres and Yankees. But even though he spent an extra 20 games in 1990 with the Yankees before getting traded to the Angels, I think Chris should give the future Padres GM the benefit of the doubt and let Winfield be eligible to be reserved by the Padres. I mean the Yankees already have a boatload of options, right?
Winfield had a 22 year career with 465 career home runs, yet he never hit more in one season than the 37 he hit in 1982. He was the first big homegrown star that the Padres ever had and got inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Padre, so that has to account for something. Winfield would be a very logical choice for the future Padres GM to make, especially because it would happen four seasons after the Padres come into existence in 1969. He may not turn into the star he was in reality with these ratings, but will still be a very good player. However, if Chris decides that Winfield can only be eligible to be reserved by the Yankees, Adrian Gonzalez would then become the next most logical choice.
Honorable Mentions: Gonzalez, Trevor Hoffman, Jake Peavy, Mat Latos
San Francisco Giants
Love him or hate him, Barry Bonds was one of the greatest hitters ever, even without all the supplements.
1. LF Barry Bonds
Draft Class: 1985
Ratings: G/G/A/B/B/G, B speed, B steals, C range, Loyal
And we finish this off with the Giants, who like the Dodgers, will be moving west in a season and have already spent an FPR on Willie McCovey. You can't blame Spencer for reserving a Giants fan favorite.
After he didn't end up reserving Juan Marichal in this past draft, Spencer seems very intent on using his second FPR on Gaylord Perry in the 1958 draft. Perry is nice, but you can't compare him to Barry Bonds.
The all-time home run king was once on the greatest players around and clearly one of the two best hitters throughout the 1990s, along with Ken Griffey Jr. Bonds was already on a Hall of Fame pace by the late 1990s, which was when he allegedly began using PED's. But once the PED's kicked in, Bonds became a monster at the plate. His single season record of 73 home runs from 2001 still stands today. He then won a pair of batting titles in 2002 and 2004. Altogether, Bonds won a record 7 NL MVP Awards, was a 14-time All-Star and won 8 NL Gold Glove Awards as well.
I'm not sure if Spencer has any personal resentment towards Bonds for all the alleged PED usage, but regardless, this is an easy reservation to make. But if Spencer doesn't end up doing so, another GM will certainly cash in during the 1985 draft.
2. C Buster Posey
Draft Class: 2008
Ratings: G/G/P/G/A/G, E speed, E steals, A range @ C, E range @ 1B, B arm @ C, Loyal
Buster Posey has emerged as one of, if not the best catcher in baseball today. With great catching talent quite rare, this is another guy Spencer might want to consider down the road. Posey has already accomplished a lot in the first 5 seasons in his career. He won the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year Award, the 2012 NL batting title, the 2012 NL MVP Award, and a pair of All-Star appearances. Oh and he already has two World Series championships at the age of 27, which is awesome. Posey is only going to get better, even though he does play his home games at pitcher friendly AT&T Park. As amazing as Bonds will be, I wouldn't blame Spencer if he plans on waiting for Posey.
3. SP Gaylord Perry
Draft Class: 1958
Ratings: G/B/B/B/A, A duration
And now the aforementioned Gaylord Perry. Perry is a very good choice, generally speaking. Don't get me wrong, but the Giants have two better options than Perry, especially considering how much pitching talent is already in this league right now. And Perry wasn't even a lifelong Giant and spent less than half of his 22-year career with the Giants. 10 years with one team is a lot, but Perry also happened to win his 2 Cy Young Awards elsewhere (Indians in 1972 and Padres in 1978). I don't know. If Spencer wants to take Perry next season, he will do that. But Bonds and Posey would both clearly be better choices because Bonds is one of a kind and Posey is elite for a catcher.
Honorable Mentions: Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell, Matt Williams, Jeff Kent, Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner
That does it for all the team rankings, but there is still more left to do. After I get my draft grades done, I will rank the top 5-10 draft classes according to FPR's and then finally predict when each team will make their respective FPR's. Stay tuned!
Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Goldschmidt is a young star in the making and the player that the Diamondbacks have built their team around.
1. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Draft Class: 2009
Ratings: G/B/F/B/G/F, C speed, B steals, A range, Loyal
For the most part, I've tried to avoid using current young stars for this shit. But for a team like the Diamondbacks who came into MLB in 1998, there will be slim pickings. With Randy Johnson going to be classified as a Mariner, Goldschmidt is arguably going to the best option for the future Diamondbacks GM. By the time we get to 2009 in this league, a few real years will have probably gone by and Goldschmidt's ratings could end up being that much better, hence why his homers are rated here as brilliant.
The new D-Backs GM will have to be a bit patient, but Goldschmidt has become a star and is worth the reservation in what will be a loaded 2009 draft.
2. LF/RF Justin Upton
Draft Class: 2005
Ratings: A/G/G/G/G/F, C speed, B steals, B range @ LF, B range @ RF
Chris has hinted that the Rays and D-Backs might only end up getting 1 FPR with how late they'll come into the league, but if the D-Backs are given a second choice as well, Justin Upton would be a solid selection. Upton will probably have average hits, which would mean a hits increase would be essential to do. But the power and ability to get on-base will be there and he will steal some bases too. Upton hasn't really reached his full potential in reality just yet, but he's a very talented player and you can't go wrong with reserving him.
3. SP Brandon Webb
Draft Class: 2000
Ratings: G/G/B/G/G, A duration
While Luis Gonzalez would obviously be a great option for the future D-Backs GM, he was drafted in 1988, which of course was 10 years before the D-Backs existed. Don't really think that will end up working out. As a result, Brandon Webb is another solid option. For a 3 year stretch from 2006-2008, few pitchers around were better than Webb, who won the NL Cy Young Award in 2006. Unfortunately for him, he got hurt in 2009 and never pitched in the majors again due to various injuries. He retired last year after a few comeback attempts ended up failing.
Honorable Mention: Mark Reynolds
Colorado Rockies
Todd Helton was the greatest player in Rockies history and Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are the team's two current star hitters.
1. 1B Todd Helton
Draft Class: 1995
Ratings: B/B/F/G/B/G, D speed, E steals, A range, Loyal
Throughout their team's history, the Rockies have been known for hitting, hitting, hitting, hitting and more hitting. Not surprisingly, everyone worthy of an FPR here is a hitter. But at the top of the list has to be the Toddfather himself, Todd Helton. Helton spent his entire 17 year career with the Rockies and leads in just about every offensive team category.
With a career .316 average, he is more than deserving of brilliant hits. He will simply rake and hit like crazy all the time. And being that he will play his home games in Coors Field aka the best hitting park in the game, the sky is the limit for Helton's success. .400 average and 50 homer seasons should happen quite often for someone like him. This is an easy reservation for the future Rockies GM once we get to the 90s. Absolutely no second guessing involved.
2. SS Troy Tulowitzki
Draft Class: 2005
Ratings: G/G/A/G/G/A, C speed, C steals, A range, Loyal
With the Rockies coming into existence in 1993, that means that all the Blake Street Bombers will not be eligible for Rockies FPR's in the 1980s. This means no Larry Walker, Andres Galarraga, Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla, Ellis Burks or Eric Young Sr. reservations for the Rockies, unfortunately. I also just realized Matt Holliday now has more service time with the Cardinals than the Rockies. As a result, the next best option would have to be current shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
Tulo has had some trouble staying healthy, but when healthy is one of, if not the best shortstop in the game. He hits for average and power, gets on base, drives in runs and plays very good defense. He would be a very good selection for the Rockies GM, especially because he is a shortstop and it's tough to find such great talent at the position.
3. OF Carlos Gonzalez
Draft Class: 2003
Ratings: G/G/G/G/A/A, B speed, B steals, C range @ LF, C range @ CF, D range @ RF, Loyal
Carlos Gonzalez and Tulowitzki are teammates and two faces of the Rockies today. But because Gonzalez is an outfielder, that's why he is a notch lower than Tulowitzki. While Tulowitzki would be a more logical FPR, Gonzalez would still be a great choice as well. He has more speed and one of the best looking swings I've ever seen. He has won several NL Gold Glove Awards, which shows that he can more than certainly hold his own defensively.
Honorable Mention: Wilin Rosario, Charlie Blackmon
Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp are hoping to lead the Dodgers to their first World Series championship since 1988.
1. SP Clayton Kershaw
Draft Class: 2006
Ratings: B/B/B/G/B, A duration, Loyal
Jeremy is in a unique situation compared to most GM's, being that he already has made an FPR in Sandy Koufax, which was something you can't pass up on. So more than likely, Jeremy will only have 1 more FPR to do in the future. If he is patient enough to wait over 50 seasons, he can reserve Clayton Kershaw, who has become the best pitcher in the game today. He has a pair of NL Cy Young Awards and has led the NL in ERA in three consecutive seasons. With those ratings, he should turn into a future Dodgers ace for Jeremy. This will largely depend on whether Jeremy is patient enough to wait this long for someone like Kershaw. If not, there are other options.
2. CF Matt Kemp
Draft Class: 2003
Ratings: G/G/A/G/A/F, B speed, B steals, D range @ CF, E range @ RF, Loyal
Offensively, the Dodgers' lineup has been built around center fielder Matt Kemp. It took a couple seasons for Kemp to really get going, but by 2009, Kemp was a star. He then had an amazing 2011 season that included a .324 average, 39 home runs, 126 RBI and 40 stolen bases. He has since been plagued by injuries in the past two seasons, but if healthy, is still one of the most dangerous hitters around. Kemp will likely need a walks increase here, but with his other ratings and the good speed, he will be a very good player for the Dodgers if Jeremy chooses to reserve him.
3. SP Orel Hershiser
Draft Class: 1979
Ratings: G/G/G/B/A, A duration, Loyal
When the Dodgers had their World Series run in 1988, everyone will remember the famous Kirk Gibson home run. But how were the Dodgers able to get past the mighty Mets in the 1988 NLCS? Orel Hershiser. Hershiser was so dominant that postseason, with a 1-0 record and a 1.09 ERA in three NLCS starts and four total appearances. He threw two complete games in his two World Series starts and had a shutout in one of them. Not surprisingly, Hershiser also won the NL Cy Young Award that year.
Altogether, Hershiser had a very good career with 204 wins and a 3.48 ERA. This selection would not be as good as Kershaw later on, but still someone to at least consider.
Honorable Mentions: Don Sutton, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Fernando Valenzuela, Eric Karros, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo, Adrian Beltre, Andre Ethier
San Diego Padres
Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn was one of the greatest pure hitters of all time.
1. RF Tony Gwynn
Draft Class: 1981
Ratings: B/G/G/F/A/B, C speed, B steals, C range @ RF, C range @ CF, Loyal
Mr. Padre had quite a career that was spent exclusively with the Padres. And his career numbers are simply eye popping and jaw dropping. A lifetime .338 hitter...that's just remarkable! 8 batting titles (half of which were over .365). 15 All-Star appearances. Career .388 OBP. Oh and he won 5 NL Gold Glove Award as well. Gwynn was clearly one of the biggest stars and the face of the Padres throughout most of the 1980s and all of the 1990s. He was appropriately selected to the Hall of Fame in 2007.
This is a clear no-brainer for the future Padres GM. Who knows if the Padres will ever have a player that put together a career in their uniform better than Gwynn's.
2. SP Randy Jones
Draft Class: 1972
Ratings: G/G/B/B/F, A duration
Randy Jones' career only lasted ten seasons, but he was as dominant as anyone in 1975 and 1976. He won the NL Cy Young Award in 1976. Jones was a very good lefty, who became the Padres' first great pitcher in team history. He would be a great FPR selection with those ratings (gotta love the brilliant homers and walks combo), but whether the future Padres GM decides between Jones and another famous Padre in back to back drafts will be interesting to see.
3. RF Dave Winfield
Draft Class: 1973
Ratings: G/G/A/G/G/G, C speed, C steals, C range @ RF, D range @ LF, D range @ CF
Fellow Hall of Famer Dave Winfield split the vast majority of his career between the Padres and Yankees. But even though he spent an extra 20 games in 1990 with the Yankees before getting traded to the Angels, I think Chris should give the future Padres GM the benefit of the doubt and let Winfield be eligible to be reserved by the Padres. I mean the Yankees already have a boatload of options, right?
Winfield had a 22 year career with 465 career home runs, yet he never hit more in one season than the 37 he hit in 1982. He was the first big homegrown star that the Padres ever had and got inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Padre, so that has to account for something. Winfield would be a very logical choice for the future Padres GM to make, especially because it would happen four seasons after the Padres come into existence in 1969. He may not turn into the star he was in reality with these ratings, but will still be a very good player. However, if Chris decides that Winfield can only be eligible to be reserved by the Yankees, Adrian Gonzalez would then become the next most logical choice.
Honorable Mentions: Gonzalez, Trevor Hoffman, Jake Peavy, Mat Latos
San Francisco Giants
Love him or hate him, Barry Bonds was one of the greatest hitters ever, even without all the supplements.
1. LF Barry Bonds
Draft Class: 1985
Ratings: G/G/A/B/B/G, B speed, B steals, C range, Loyal
And we finish this off with the Giants, who like the Dodgers, will be moving west in a season and have already spent an FPR on Willie McCovey. You can't blame Spencer for reserving a Giants fan favorite.
After he didn't end up reserving Juan Marichal in this past draft, Spencer seems very intent on using his second FPR on Gaylord Perry in the 1958 draft. Perry is nice, but you can't compare him to Barry Bonds.
The all-time home run king was once on the greatest players around and clearly one of the two best hitters throughout the 1990s, along with Ken Griffey Jr. Bonds was already on a Hall of Fame pace by the late 1990s, which was when he allegedly began using PED's. But once the PED's kicked in, Bonds became a monster at the plate. His single season record of 73 home runs from 2001 still stands today. He then won a pair of batting titles in 2002 and 2004. Altogether, Bonds won a record 7 NL MVP Awards, was a 14-time All-Star and won 8 NL Gold Glove Awards as well.
I'm not sure if Spencer has any personal resentment towards Bonds for all the alleged PED usage, but regardless, this is an easy reservation to make. But if Spencer doesn't end up doing so, another GM will certainly cash in during the 1985 draft.
2. C Buster Posey
Draft Class: 2008
Ratings: G/G/P/G/A/G, E speed, E steals, A range @ C, E range @ 1B, B arm @ C, Loyal
Buster Posey has emerged as one of, if not the best catcher in baseball today. With great catching talent quite rare, this is another guy Spencer might want to consider down the road. Posey has already accomplished a lot in the first 5 seasons in his career. He won the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year Award, the 2012 NL batting title, the 2012 NL MVP Award, and a pair of All-Star appearances. Oh and he already has two World Series championships at the age of 27, which is awesome. Posey is only going to get better, even though he does play his home games at pitcher friendly AT&T Park. As amazing as Bonds will be, I wouldn't blame Spencer if he plans on waiting for Posey.
3. SP Gaylord Perry
Draft Class: 1958
Ratings: G/B/B/B/A, A duration
And now the aforementioned Gaylord Perry. Perry is a very good choice, generally speaking. Don't get me wrong, but the Giants have two better options than Perry, especially considering how much pitching talent is already in this league right now. And Perry wasn't even a lifelong Giant and spent less than half of his 22-year career with the Giants. 10 years with one team is a lot, but Perry also happened to win his 2 Cy Young Awards elsewhere (Indians in 1972 and Padres in 1978). I don't know. If Spencer wants to take Perry next season, he will do that. But Bonds and Posey would both clearly be better choices because Bonds is one of a kind and Posey is elite for a catcher.
Honorable Mentions: Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell, Matt Williams, Jeff Kent, Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner
That does it for all the team rankings, but there is still more left to do. After I get my draft grades done, I will rank the top 5-10 draft classes according to FPR's and then finally predict when each team will make their respective FPR's. Stay tuned!
