We're going to take just a brief look into the Squirrels 2013 eMLB draft selections in the first eight rounds. With speculation on how the team is shaping up and perhaps some insight into what GM Adam Anson was thinking with each pick.
Selection 1.12: Felix Hernandez- Felix was clearly the best available player at this spot and solidifies a Hernandez/Wainwright/Halladay triumvirate that should keep the Squirrels in contention week to week in pitching categories. No consideration was given to any other player.
Selection 3.1: Paul Konerko- Konerko continues to put um very solid numbers at 1B and will slide into the UTIL spot for the Squirrels giving them yet another power bat. The Squirrels should be extremely difficult to beat in all the power categories. Consideration was given to Jordan Zimmerman at this spot as well as Wilin Rosario.
Selection 4.12: Derek Jeter- This was a selection that HAD to be made. The Squirrels came into the draft deficient at SS and before trading pick 2.12, were considering taking a SS there. The acquisition of Adam Jones was too much to pass up and the Squirrels watched as Asdrubal Cabrera and Jimmy Rollins slipped off the board. Jeter at 4.12 was the Squirrels' last opportunity to take a known commodity at SS to compliment the rest of the offense. No other players were considered.
Selection 6.13: Mike Minor- This was a bit of a homer Braves fan pick, but Minor would have gone shortly anyway. Minor is coming off a very impressive second half and GM Adam Anson believes that was a sign of things to come. As the Squirrels fifth starter behind Wainwright/Halladay/Hernandez/Haren, Minor should do just fine, and if he builds off his strong second half in 2012, the Squirrels could have one of the best rotations in eMLB to go along with an incredibly stout offense. Consideration was given to Alex Avila and AJ Burnett.
Selection 7.12: Jason Grilli- This was a run based selection. Unfortunately the Squirrels came into the closer run a bit too late and had to settle for Jason Grilli. Grilli posted outstanding K:9 ratios last year and has already been declared the Pirates' closer. Grilli should perform well, this was just not a selection the Squirrels' GM was pleased to be forced into. Consideration was given to Brandon League, Grant Balfour, and Reed Addison.
Selection 8.12: Drew Stubbs- The Squirrels added a proven SB commodity that also hits a few HR in Drew Stubbs as their fifth OFer. Stubbs may see a boost in HR output in his new Cleveland home and while his average will still likely be an issue, he is an excellent fifth OFer and presented value with a pick that GM Anson would like to have used on a closer...but the run killed those options before the pick came due.
Current Depth Chart
C:
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Mike Moustakas
SS: Derek Jeter
OF: Mike Trout
OF: Adam Jones
OF: Hunter Pence
OF: Josh Willingham
UTIL: Paul Konerko
SP: Felix Hernandez
SP: Adam Wainwright
SP: Roy Halladay
SP: Dan Haren
SP: Mike Minor
RP: Jason Grilli
RP:
RP:
RP:
RP:
Bench: Drew Stubbs
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