Lumberjacks post expansion draft analysis

[PinstripePride]

Because I had some free time tonight (but mostly because I'm really, really corny) I wrote this analysis up. Feel free to laugh/abuse.



Lumberjacks post expansion draft analysis


With the 4th overall pick of the 2004 NYYFans fantasy baseball expansion draft, the Lumberjacks selected David Wright, the young third baseman of the New York Mets. Wright went undrafted in 2004, and will be a 20th round pick for the Lumberjacks. The team hopes that Wright can man the hot corner for the near future, providing a hot bat and solid glove. Wright, called up by the Mets in 2004, slammed 14 home runs and knocked in 40 runs, while hitting .293 and slugging .525. He appears to set for a very solid 2005 campaign, and maybe even stardom in 2006. A spokesperson for the team stated that “The Lumberjacks are pleased to have locked up such a young and highly talented player. David is destined to be a star in this league, at a position that isn’t necessarily easy to fill. We are pleased to have him on our team for 2005 and beyond.”

The Lumberjacks' second pick was used to select Joe Mauer, the Minnesota Twins’ young catcher. Mauer, rated one of baseball’s top hitting prospects, showed much early promise before his season was cut short because of a knee injury. The future star showed poise at the plate rarely seen in first year players. In 107 ABs, Mauer hit .308, with 6 homers and 17 RBIs. Most impressive was his .939 OPS. Mauer, taken by Tugger’s Sluggers in the 10th round before being traded, will be taken by the Lumberjacks in the 8th round this year.

Amid criticism that it was too high if a pick to take a young, relatively unproven player, Lumberjacks GM said “Joe showed what he is capable of at the plate in 2004. Despite it being a small sample, we were able to see a poise and talent that convinced us that Joe will continue to be an offensive force when he returns in 2005.” He also added that “The position of catcher isn’t exactly overflowing with talent. Joe fixes the headache of drafting a catcher nicely for us.” The selection of Wright and Mauer with their first two picks speaks volumes on the direction the Lumberjacks are heading with their new franchise. While attempting to build for 2005, the team is also concentrating on contructing a solid base of young talent to carry the team through the 2006-2007 seasons.

The third selection by the Lumberjacks was Sean Casey, the Cincinnati Red’s first baseman. Casey, a 17th round pick in 2004, will be taken by the ‘Jacks in the 15th round. Casey had a career year in 2004, slugging 24 homers, driving in 99 runs, all while hitting .324. His .915 OPS was also impressive. However, this was a major cause for concern in the organization. Casey’s .915 OPS was his highest in 5 years, and in the previous two seasons, Casey’s OPS numbers were .758 and .696, respectively. These are not the numbers any team would be looking for in a starting first baseman, which is what Casey will be on this 2005 Lumberjacks squad. However, the organization believes that Sean can put up good enough numbers, even if he doesn’t match his 2004 totals. As a 15th round pick, he has the chance to be a steal.

JD Drew, the controversial and oft-injured Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was the Lumberjacks next selection. He will be a 4th round selection for the team. Drew put up impressive numbers in 2004, his first season with over 425 ABs. JD hit .305 with 31 homers and 91 RBIs, but most impressive was his .436 OBP and 1.005 OPS. He finally showed the talent that injuries had prevented from shining.

The Lumberjacks expect a slight drop-off in offensive totals, as Drew has signed with the Dodgers, and will be playing half his games in pitcher-friendly Dodger stadium. However, Drew fell far in the draft, and there was no way the team could pass him up. “JD Drew is an offensive force, and will be critical to the teams success in the 2005 season. We expected him to fall in the draft because of fears over his injuries in the past, but when we saw exactly how far he had fallen, to us in the 3rd round, we had to jump on it. He’s a great deal in the 4th round.” stated the Lumberjacks GM. When asked about his propensity for getting injured, Drew responded: “I think that’s behind me. It was tough, wanting to be on the field and not being able to get out there. Last year was the first year I was finally able to relax and have fun, and it showed.” It sure did.

With their final pick in the expansion draft, the Lumberjacks took a gamble and selected Wily Mo Pena, the Reds’ free swinging outfielder. Pena is the Reds’ 5th outfielder, which seems to suggest that he will see little playing time. However, it must be taken into consideration that Ken Griffey Jr. and Austin Kearns occupy 2 of the spots ahead of him on the depth chart. Neither of the duo will get confused with Cal Ripken any time in the forseeable future. Pena should see a fair amount of ABs, and in the event of a few injuries, could see significant time in the Reds OF. At age 23, Pena is a very free swinging youngster - he struck out an alarming 103 times in only 336 ABs in 2004. He did however, hit 26 homeruns, 9 in 15 games during a stretch in July. The team sees him as a power bat off the bench, and a spot starter. Pena will have to cut down his strikeout totals if he wants to be anything more than that for this Lumberjacks team. That is, if he even gets a chance to play for any extended period.

Overall the Lumberjacks did well in the expansion draft. There was concern within the organization, however, about not acquiring any pitching. Responding to those critics, the GM stated “Remember, these were only 5 picks of 20.” And These 5 picks reflect, as mentioned, the teams desire to make an immediate splash and push for the playoffs in their inaugural season, while also building a strong base of young talent to carry the franchise for the near future. If things fall the right way for all of them, these 5 players could be an integral part of a 2005 Lumberjacks squad that looks to axe the competition.

[Soriambi]

Originally Posted by PinstripePride

Because I had some free time tonight (but mostly because I'm really, really corny) I wrote this analysis up. Feel free to laugh/abuse.



Lumberjacks post expansion draft analysis


Overall the Lumberjacks did well in the expansion draft. There was concern within the organization, however, about not acquiring any pitching. Responding to those critics, the GM stated “Remember, these were only 5 picks of 20.” And These 5 picks reflect, as mentioned, the teams desire to make an immediate splash and push for the playoffs in their inaugural season, while also building a strong base of young talent to carry the franchise for the near future. If things fall the right way for all of them, these 5 players could be an integral part of a 2005 Lumberjacks squad that looks to axe the competition.

Actually five picks of 21.

Good stuff, Jason. I'm going to post my recap tomorrow at some point, after I look it over.

It's a bit lengthy (20 pages) of pre and post draft coverage of each pick and what each team did, plus a look forward, but I think it's readable, even if it takes you several months to read through it. There is quite a bit of white space, with spaces in between picks and things.

If any owner would like to send me quotes or information to include in my report (which is done, pending a proofing, but I'm willing to add new material if I get it) is more than welcome to do so via PM. You will be credited for your quote, unless you wish to be an "anonymous source" and criticize a pick. That's fine, too.

[Big_E]

Good stuff. One correction though -- David Wright wasn't undrafted in 2004, he was a minor league draftee called up to the majors (not that you would have any way of knowing that).

Good stuff though.