Draft Update by beat reporter Daniel D. Tractor
After a solid first four rounds of the 2012 eMLB draft, the Springfield Flying Squirrels of Republic have managed to raise some eyebrows with several of their subsequent picks. I had the Squirrels first four rounds graded at A, B, B, A, respectively. It appears to the outsider that perhaps upper management had no plan going into the latter rounds of the draft as questionable pick after questionable pick have been made since the selection of Adam Wainwright.
Round 5: SP Anibal Sanchez- Sanchez has all the makings of an ace, but has never really put it all together. Sanchez slots into the Squirrels rotation as an unspectacular 3rd starter behind Wainwright and Latos, and will either end up being a nice choice or a really poor choice by Anson. Rd 5 Grade- C.
Round 6: RP Carlos Marmol- Anson re-upped another former Squirrel in closer Carlos Marmol. Marmol was one of the last few elite closers left in the draft at this point, and the selection seems justified, but selecting an OFer probably made more sense...and we will get to that later. Round 6 Grade- B-.
Round 7: OF Mike Trout- Anson made what most around the league are calling the worst pick in the draft. This was a reach of epic proportion and is one that this reporter will call a massive mistake. When prodded about the pick, Anson defended himself saying, "The Angel OF is crowded right now, but we believe that Trout will force his way into the lineup whether by his play or by the poor play of a slew of aging alternate options for the Angels. Trout has the makings of an Andrew McCutchen, and we are excited to be in on the ground floor. We truly think he will be a force for us in 2012 and beyond." Bull. Trout is easily a year from producing solid numbers and will likely be a free agent again before he produces enough to merit this selection. This selection was forced by Anson's foolish decision to grab Marmol (a two category contributor at best,) in round 6. Round 7 Grade- F.
Round 8: OF Colby Rasmus- Another reach for an OFer. The Marmol selection comes into play again, as Anson was forced to make two terrible OF selections, and guarantee that the Squirrel 2012 OF will be one of the worst that eMLB has ever seen. Rasmus may have a slight rebound, but at this point in his career, it is clear he was always overrated. Round 8 Grade- D.
Round 9: RP Chris Perez- Perez was a nice value here, and with the terrible selections before, one can understand why Anson would go value here...to save face. Round 9 Grade- B.
Round 10: SP Chad Billingsley- Another pick, and another reclamation project for the Squirrels. Billingsley was once an ace in the making...since, he has fallen to a 4th or 5th starter who will get some K's, but bloat the ERA and WHIP. Once again,
IF Billingsley can return to form, he would make a serviceable fourth, but with so many questionable picks, Anson can not assume they are all going to fall his way. Round 10 Grade- C-.
Round 11: C J.P. Arencibia- Average killer Arencibia should provide some good pop, and for what was there as far as catchers, the selection seems ok. Round 11 Grade- B-.
Round 12: RP Evan Meek- Anson re-upped
yet another former Squirrel in Evan Meek. Meek was once a dominant reliever, but is coming off a lost 2011. Oh good, another reclamation project...do you see a theme here? Look for Meek to contribute to Holds and K's...but even at his best, he still sapped ERA and WHIP. Round 12 Grade- C+.
Round 13: OF J.D. Martinez- Martinez will hit in the middle of the worst lineup in both MLB and eMLB. Congratulations kid. Martinez should provide good average, minimal pop and limited RBI chances. Another OFer...another question mark. Round 13 Grade- D+.
Round 14: OF Vayan Viciedo- More of the same. Unproven Vayan Viciedo. Viciedo has a lot of pop, but that's about it. He will likely struggle in his first full year, and will disappoint as often as he delights. Round 14 Grade- D.
Round 15: SP Brett Myers- Anson solidified a middle of the road rotation by selecting another Astro in Brett Myers. Myers will K some guys, but will detract from ERA and WHIP, while only contributing mildly to Wins. Round 15 Grade- C-.
With eleven picks left, the Squirrels will easily be picked to finish dead last in division and should be considered high in the running for worst record overall. Overall Draft Grade- D+.
negatives are out there...might as well give the fans some hope. (avg/hr/rbi/sb/r/bb) 
die Freeman- Looks to be more consistent than Heyward and shouldn't suffer much of a sophomore slump. (.290/24/90/5/85/50)
PROSPECT...already with some MLB experience. The Halos didn't spend all those $$ on Pujols and Wilson to win in a few years. Trout is ready, and Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu are old and ass. (.274/14/55/28/65/45) OR (.270/18/65/35/85/60)
