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WB2K1 Mock Draft Extraordinare
*This draft is a MOCK draft. These teams are not official,
they are simply speculatory-repeat-SPECULATORY*
Well, here I am, taking my first steps into the world of
wiffleball. I have to be honest with you all, my school of knowledge is
not based on a plastic bat and ball, but I will try to put everything
in perspective. So let's turn up Miles Davis, sip on our tea, and get
this article going.>
The second annual Winterball has just wrapped up and the
buzz is going around. It's not circulating around the first-round pick
though, but more on who the second pick is. Luke Carriere dominated the
first day of Winterball and is clearly looking to be the number one draft
pick. I talked with Terry Creighton, whose team has the first overall
draft pick. He said, "Carriere is definately up there on my list,
but so is Walsh and Vassar. Carriere's lack of pitching doesn't help me
out with my pathetic arm."
> Maybe so, but his bat is going to help out your
pathetic swing, Creighton. Anyway, below is my opinion on how the draft
is going to go. Further below that, I go into depth about how the teams
shape up and a look at some key players. Enjoy*
| 1st Round |
2nd Round |
3rd Round |
1. Luke
Carriere (RW)
2. Seth Yoder (YR)
3. Mike Walsh (51)
4. James Vassar (HW)
5. Jeff Morrison (HM) |
6. Darnell
Uhland (RW)
7. Nate Stuempfig (YR)
8. Derek Byrd (51)
9. Clint Wattenberg (HW)
10. Eric Christensen (HM) |
11.
Dean Evans (HM)
12. Aaron Kemper (HW)
13. Jordan Lockhart (51)
14. Ian Byrd (YR)
15. Brandon Vedder (RW) |
| * As of early 12/23, it was
unknown whether Mickey Kendall would play. However, I have sinced
learned that he will. Unfortunately, it was too late to include him
in this mock-draft. Keep in mind that doing so could change everything
completely. |
| Road Warriors |
Y&R |
Wiffolution |
Holy Whites |
Horsemen |
TCreighton
Carriere
Uhland
Vedder |
GCreighton
Yoder
Stuempfig
IByrd |
Sylvester
Walsh
DByrd
Lockhart |
Carmichael
Vassar
Wattenberg
Kemper |
JCreighton
Morrison
Christensen
Evans |
-Terry-
Terry's team is led by one of the three seven-year veterans, Terry
Creighton. Having Luke Carriere on his team is definately going to help
out. He covers the hitting with Luke, but then, he covers the pitching
with Darnell Uhland.
Darnell Uhland grabbed a couple people's attention during the first day
of Winterball with his pitching. It was already known that he was a skilled
pitcher (zero runs in 11 regular season innings, pitcher at Butte College,
etc.) but at Winterball, it looks as though his pitching has gotten even
better, which could be a scary image (FYI: The only runs he gave up
at Winterball were from Luke Carriere). Look for people to be unnoticed
by his rising skills due to Luke's dominant bat.
The mystery player on Terry's team is Brandon Vedder. Brandon showed up
for one game during Winterball and put out a mediocre performance. (Bat:
1 for 4, 2 RBI's, 1 BB, 1K Pit: 1 Inn, 2 H, 1K) This is one of
those players who you have no idea how he is going to do. He could drag
the team down, he could be a nice contributor, or he might even quit.
It's all a mystery. Therefore, the doctor is not going to waste his time
with him.
Overall View: Decent team, but not going to do much damage against
great pitchers.>
-Greg-
The scoop around The Sac is that Greg Creighton was interviewing Seth
Yoder, questioning him on his loyalty and such. Now, this isn't a given,
with the array of talent here, but we all know that Big Poppa is a pitcher
first, batter second kind of guy, and he gets giddy on the knowledge of
having a well-structured pitching staff.
Seth Yoder is a good pitcher (Pit: 1 IP, 3K during Winterball)
and he is exactly what Greg wants, but is that what is best for the team?
Don't get me wrong, Seth is a strong performer, who should go in the first
round, but I think Greg should be looking for someone to come up to the
plate and deliver, since Big Poppa's hitting statistics have been slipping
(Bat: 1-15 during Winterball)
Anyway, Nate is someone Greg will not be able to pass up. Though Nate
will not be available all season, Big Poppa knows that Nate is the all-around
package and will definately be a huge asset when he's around.
Ian Byrd caught Greg's attention for his ability to throw strikes. Though
he may be young, I think Greg will love the chance to be able to share
some of his wisdom on this lad.
Overall View: Pitching wins games...but not in this case.>
-Casey-
This team is going to surprise some people. You got three guys (Sylvester,
Walsh and D. Byrd) who have improved by so many measures. Sylvester with
Most Improved
Player Award and third place MVP. Walsh with his turning of an ugly
regular season (Bat: .216 avg.) into an awesome post season (Bat:
.356 avg.). And D. Byrd with his sudden display of power (Bat:
15 HR's).
Derek's pitching could get into the way. He has yet to show improvements
in that category, which has really held his rating down (Bat: 21.54
rating Pit: 3.27 rating).
Mike Walsh though, could have a breakout year (during the regular season).
He seems prepared and focused to show that the post season was no joke.
Jordan Lockhart did show some talent during Winterball, but his lack of
loyalty and dedication tampered with his draft spot. He showed up for
one game, both days, when it was clearly stated to him that this is your
only chance to see live action until the regular season. He reminds me
of a young Matt Holmberg, minus the power. The talent is around there,
but the heart isn't.
Overall View: Casey's team scratches their way into the playoffs.>
-Scott-
When I first started doing the draft, I looked at Terry's team as having
an upper hand due to Luke Carriere, but now that I think about it...they
don't have Scott Carmichael. We have all heard about how great Carmichael
is, but the one thing that is impressive is his ability to win (40-17
lifetime record since 1999). Scott won't be able to pass up on James Vassar,
who has similar talent to Camichael. With an amalgamation of both Carmichael
and Vassar's skills, I can see a few opposing rookies 'playing sick' or
'having to work' during scheduled games with Scott's team.
Clint Wattenberg will come out partly during the summer, play every game,
then leave. This will let the stars on the team take a break. Wattenberg
has good pitching and mediocre batting. Folks, I know I just said this,
but this doesn't look good for the opposition.
Here's the thing though: Before the summer, Scott Carmichael is going
to have to play with one guy and that is rookie Aaron Kemper. Kemper didn't
show too much skill (Bat: 2-13 Pit: 3 IP 5 Runs), but did
play in three out of four games. This shows that he can play three games
a day, which is what Scott is going to need. Look for adequate playing
from this team during the spring semester, a couple wins and a couple
loses.
Overall View: Commish Creighton tried to set up the draft, so the
teams are fair, but sorry, Scott's team will dominate from June 'til the
championships.>
-Joey-
After watching my first two live gamedays, I noticed something that is
never recorded on paper. Commish Creighton is a leader, who pushes guys
to their limits. So this team is perfect for Creighton. You got Eric Christensen
and Dean Evans who can relatively be intimidated. The Commish will make
sure this doesn't happen and you can bet on Christensen and Evans having
good seasons. Can you see this anywhere else? Can you see Casey Sylvester
pushing Dean Evans to his limit?
Jeff Morrison is someone Joey has always had an eye on. He can go both
ways, gets on base, and doesn't embarrass the team. Creighton likes these
skills and would love the chance to be hitting 20 two-run homers, instead
of 20 solo shots. Jeff's pitching is weak though (Pit: 5 IP, 8
ER's during Winterball), and could get the team in some bad spots.
Eric Christensen is just as much as a mystery as Brandon Vedder. No one
knows if the 'promising' Eric will show up or the 'half retarded' Eric.
Creighton will work with Christensen and you could be seeing some decent
batting statistics (like in '99, where Eric hit .273 with 12 HR's). Pitching
though will be just as horrible, even with the two time (two time) defensive
player of the year out there.
Rookie of the Year: Dean Evans. I'm calling it now. With Evans on Joey's
team, he will have no choice but to play good everytime. He has shown
that he is a streaking player. He gets hot, then he gets cold, all within
two innings. But with his desire and attitude, Joey won't be able to pass
him up.
Overall View: Gets far, but pitching holds them from being in the
playoffs>
That's all for now. The real draft is on December 26th.
I, along with Cliff Rancho, will be there covering it, letting you guys
in on news as soon as possible. >
The Doctor has
signed out...>
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