Looking Ahead - 2009 AWD

Killer Bees

Hitters: Teixeira, C.Pena, Hawpe, Cameron, Tejada
Starters: Billingsley, Jurrjens, Cueto, Verlander, Hughes
Bullpen: umm... none?
Picks in the first 100: 10, 12, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96

Opinion: The defending NASOMA champs will have a tough time defending that title. The cupboard has been left bare. There are still some good, young arms... and they'll have a gold glove caliber fielder manning the DH position... but this team could be in trouble for 2009. Two first round picks will help, but my guess is the Bees continue a youth movement with their eyes on 2010.

Main needs: bullpen, and pretty much everything except 1B


Sidewinders

Hitters: Wright, Ortiz, Markakis, Beltran, Mauer, D.Lee, Derosa, A. Hill, Renteria, J.Wilson, Bruce
Starters: Peavy, Lester, Zambrano, U.Jimenez, Lilly
Bullpen: KRod, R.Perez, Downs, Mahay
Picks in the first 100: 13, 29, 45, 58, 61, 77, 93

Opinion: The Snakes are loaded again. There are no holes on the offense (except maybe LF). Derosa's big year with the bat and availability at six positions is a huge advantage. The rotation is set, and the bullpen has KRod and three quality lefties. They're short on RH relief, but this draft is deep in that area.

Main needs: LF and RH relief


Zaps

Hitters: Hamilton, Kinsler, Reyes, Fielder, Delgado, Byrd, Martin, C.Jackson, Encarnacion, Crawford, Milledge, A.Gordon
Starters: Greinke, Pelfrey, Jered Weaver, W.Rodriguez
Bullpen: Capps, Qualls, Shouse
Picks in the first 100: 8, 24, 40, 56, 72, 78, 88

Opinion: The lineup is as good as the Snake lineup. It is talented, young, and deep. There is power and speed. The pitching isn't as good but is still better than many teams. They have pitching depth, but no ace or closer at the top. A good indication of the expectations of this team will be that first pick. Will the Zapper add the big pitcher he needs or go for more youth?

Main needs: pitching


Tweeners

Hitters: Soriano, B.Roberts, Victorino, Loney, Hart, Swisher, O.Cabrera, F.Lopez, B.Molina, Teahen, Reynolds, Rowand, C.Ross
Starters: Oswalt, Harang, Blanton, Kendrick
Bullpen: F.Cordero, Hampson
Picks in the first 100: 6, 54

Opinion: The hitters on this team are interesting. There are a lot of good guys, but the onbase and slugging is not that great on any of them. There are only three hitters on the team with an OPS over .800 (Soriano, Roberts, and Ross). That makes me think this team is probably a year away from being on the Snake/Zap level. Oswalt is great, but the other starters struggled in 2008; and the bullpen is thin and shaky. And the biggest issue of all for the Tweeners is the lack of draft picks. They have an early pick at #6 but then only 1 more pick before round 7. The good news is the Tweeners probably don't need to draft anything but pitching.

Main needs: pitching, draft picks