Comments on: The Power of One Draft http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/ A Rough Draft Blog Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:53:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: I heart Joe Posnanski « Stop Making Sense http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-93844 I heart Joe Posnanski « Stop Making Sense Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:06:34 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-93844 [...] to write was just a quick link to a great Joe Posnanski story from January 20, 2009, called “The Power of One Draft“. If you’ve read it, you know why it’s so cool. If not, I recommend you read it [...] [...] to write was just a quick link to a great Joe Posnanski story from January 20, 2009, called “The Power of One Draft“. If you’ve read it, you know why it’s so cool. If not, I recommend you read it [...]

]]> By: Topics about Hispanic » Blog Archive » The Power of One Draft http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-59412 Topics about Hispanic » Blog Archive » The Power of One Draft Tue, 05 May 2009 03:15:07 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-59412 [...] International Entertainment News added an interesting post on The Power of One DraftHere’s a small excerptWe’re going to use the Kansas City Royals as an example, but you can obviously do the following with any team. [...] [...] International Entertainment News added an interesting post on The Power of One DraftHere’s a small excerptWe’re going to use the Kansas City Royals as an example, but you can obviously do the following with any team. [...]

]]> By: Mike D http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49850 Mike D Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:21:33 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49850 The Royals would have done what the Royals always do...given the choice players to New York or Boston. The Royals would have done what the Royals always do…given the choice players to New York or Boston.

]]> By: Cristian Huidobro http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49790 Cristian Huidobro Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:50:01 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49790 "If you are right on the draft, really right, you can beat every team out there no matter how many billion they might spend." ...unless you're the Rangers “If you are right on the draft, really right, you can beat every team out there no matter how many billion they might spend.”

…unless you’re the Rangers

]]> By: Jacob http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49718 Jacob Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:26:50 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49718 Pos, this is the kind of obsessive stuff I used to think about when I was like 12 years old...Nice read though... Pos, this is the kind of obsessive stuff I used to think about when I was like 12 years old…Nice read though…

]]> By: Bob R. http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49322 Bob R. Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:44:15 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49322 Justin, that is simply untrue about the Rays. They had 2 high picks who contributed during the year, Longoria and Upton. Price was helpful down the stretch (all of 14 innings) and in the post-season, but really had little to do with getting there. One could argue that Garza is a third in that he was acquired in a deal for first pick Delmon Young. But note that the trade included Bartlett (and 2 minor leaguers) who would not have been sent over had the Rays not included Harris, a scrap heap pickup, and that it is unlikely the Rays would have done Garza for Young straight up. In any case, the rest of the team was acquired in trades (Navarro, Gross, Aybar, Howell, Balfour et al), scrap heap pickups (Pena), free agency (Iwamura) and lower draft choices (Crawford in the 2nd round, Shields in the 6th, Sonnanstine in the 13th). This team was not assembled primarily from high draft choices. In fact, Boston had the same number of 1st round choices who contributed significantly (Ellsbury & Lowrie) and 3 more second round choices (Pedroia, Lester, Delcarmon & Masterson). Justin, that is simply untrue about the Rays. They had 2 high picks who contributed during the year, Longoria and Upton. Price was helpful down the stretch (all of 14 innings) and in the post-season, but really had little to do with getting there.

One could argue that Garza is a third in that he was acquired in a deal for first pick Delmon Young. But note that the trade included Bartlett (and 2 minor leaguers) who would not have been sent over had the Rays not included Harris, a scrap heap pickup, and that it is unlikely the Rays would have done Garza for Young straight up.

In any case, the rest of the team was acquired in trades (Navarro, Gross, Aybar, Howell, Balfour et al), scrap heap pickups (Pena), free agency (Iwamura) and lower draft choices (Crawford in the 2nd round, Shields in the 6th, Sonnanstine in the 13th). This team was not assembled primarily from high draft choices. In fact, Boston had the same number of 1st round choices who contributed significantly (Ellsbury & Lowrie) and 3 more second round choices (Pedroia, Lester, Delcarmon & Masterson).

]]> By: Ryan http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49284 Ryan Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:42:12 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49284 I once looked up a similar thing for my beloved (and yet hated) Pirates- what if they could just draft the right players in the first round? From 1997-2006 (allowing enough time for some prospects to develop and make it the majors or close to it) the Pirates drafted in the top 15 every single year but one and produced almost zero Major League talent. Here is who they drafted: 2006- Brad Lincoln (Blown Out Elbow) 2005- Andrew McCutchen (The Only Very Good Prospect) 2004- Neil Walker (Looks like a Backup Infielder) 2003- Paul Maholm (Solid ML Starting Pitcher) 2002- Brian Bullington (Blew out his arm) 2001- John VanBenschoten (Blew out his arm) 2000- Sean Burnett (Blew out his arm; is now an OK reliever) 1999- Bobby Bradley (Blew out his arm) 1998- Clint Johnston 1997- J.J. Davis Here is a list of who they could have drafted, and this isn't just cherry-picking the best players from the draft, all of these guys were drafted within 10 spots after the Pirates' selection so it would have been reasonable for them to make these picks instead. 2006- Tim Lincecum 2005- Jay Bruce 2004- Jered Weaver 2003- John Danks 2002- Prince Fielder 2001- Casey Kotchman 2000- Adam Wainwright 1999- Ben Sheets 1998- C.C. Sabathia 1997- Lance Berkman Look at those 10 players. Just having a better eye for elite talent would have altered the course of the entire franchise. I once looked up a similar thing for my beloved (and yet hated) Pirates- what if they could just draft the right players in the first round? From 1997-2006 (allowing enough time for some prospects to develop and make it the majors or close to it) the Pirates drafted in the top 15 every single year but one and produced almost zero Major League talent.

Here is who they drafted:
2006- Brad Lincoln (Blown Out Elbow)
2005- Andrew McCutchen (The Only Very Good Prospect)
2004- Neil Walker (Looks like a Backup Infielder)
2003- Paul Maholm (Solid ML Starting Pitcher)
2002- Brian Bullington (Blew out his arm)
2001- John VanBenschoten (Blew out his arm)
2000- Sean Burnett (Blew out his arm; is now an OK reliever)
1999- Bobby Bradley (Blew out his arm)
1998- Clint Johnston
1997- J.J. Davis

Here is a list of who they could have drafted, and this isn’t just cherry-picking the best players from the draft, all of these guys were drafted within 10 spots after the Pirates’ selection so it would have been reasonable for them to make these picks instead.

2006- Tim Lincecum
2005- Jay Bruce
2004- Jered Weaver
2003- John Danks
2002- Prince Fielder
2001- Casey Kotchman
2000- Adam Wainwright
1999- Ben Sheets
1998- C.C. Sabathia
1997- Lance Berkman

Look at those 10 players. Just having a better eye for elite talent would have altered the course of the entire franchise.

]]> By: Kyle Davidson http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49265 Kyle Davidson Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:24:31 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49265 Ted, Am I wrong, or are you being sarcastic? The park effects listed would seemingly help to make Crisp an overrated CF. If it is otherwise, please correct me. Ted,

Am I wrong, or are you being sarcastic? The park effects listed would seemingly help to make Crisp an overrated CF. If it is otherwise, please correct me.

]]> By: porky http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49262 porky Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:53:14 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49262 Bruce better play Thunder Road!!!! It's his best song by far. Bruce better play Thunder Road!!!! It’s his best song by far.

]]> By: Justin http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49257 Justin Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:20:18 +0000 http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/01/20/the-power-of-one-draft/#comment-49257 Pat Hobby, The fact of the matter is, the Rays were terrible for years and finally had a ton of high picks mature at the same time. They look to actually have a window now - they could be competitive for a few years in a row with the core they have - but what happens when those guys all start cashing in and price themselves out of Tampa's range? The team will likely enter another fallow period (or enjoy some sustained middling success - not enough to make the playoffs, but enough to ensure that they won't be drafting first overall for a while.) Teams like the Yankees have a built-in advantage that's extremely hard to overcome. That they missed the playoffs once in 14 years isn't exactly proof positive that there's parity, especially when missing the playoffs means that they're going to go out and retool by signing three guys that most of the other teams couldn't dream of affording. I'm sure I'd be far more blase about the whole thing if my team played in any other division and didn't start each year with the odds stacked massively against them, but as a Jays fan, it's just really dispiriting to look at what New York can do and realize that the road to the playoffs almost always goes through Yankee stadium. Pat Hobby,

The fact of the matter is, the Rays were terrible for years and finally had a ton of high picks mature at the same time. They look to actually have a window now – they could be competitive for a few years in a row with the core they have – but what happens when those guys all start cashing in and price themselves out of Tampa’s range? The team will likely enter another fallow period (or enjoy some sustained middling success – not enough to make the playoffs, but enough to ensure that they won’t be drafting first overall for a while.)

Teams like the Yankees have a built-in advantage that’s extremely hard to overcome. That they missed the playoffs once in 14 years isn’t exactly proof positive that there’s parity, especially when missing the playoffs means that they’re going to go out and retool by signing three guys that most of the other teams couldn’t dream of affording.

I’m sure I’d be far more blase about the whole thing if my team played in any other division and didn’t start each year with the odds stacked massively against them, but as a Jays fan, it’s just really dispiriting to look at what New York can do and realize that the road to the playoffs almost always goes through Yankee stadium.

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