Going Deep: Recap of a 20 Team Dynasty MiLB Draft (Picks 31-40)
We’ve reached part four of our recap of an offseason minor league dynasty draft of a man who bathes in prosciutto, Craig Goldstein. We’re also aware that it is no longer the offseason, but hopefully the players drafted are of interest to you in your league. Part one featured the rundown of the rules, particularly of note that no in-season adds of minor leaguers are allowed in this league, which certainly makes for a more challenging/entertaining offseason draft and leads to players being available like:
31. Los Angeles Angels – Willy Adames (SS, Tampa Bay Rays)
Adames held his own in his age-19 season in the Midwest League, certainly a huge accomplishment for any up the middle player, and appeared at the top of numerous team prospect lists this winter. Adames is still most likely four years away from contributing at the big league level, so he is likely best utilized as a trade chip in most leagues.
32. Milwaukee – Jung Ho Kang (INF, Pittsburgh Pirates)
This pick was made long before getting a chance to get an extended spring look at the 28 year old Kang, where he looked downright overmatched by big league pitching at times after homering in his first spring at-bat. However, it’s hard to fault the Brewers owner for taking a chance on Kang tapping into his power at this point in the draft.
33. Pittsburgh – Touiki Touissant (SP, Arizona Diamondbacks)
Tyler Kolek went fifth overall in this draft, so getting Touissant here is a nice value. He is the next Bob Gibson after all. Hopefully the D’Backs will be smart enough to develop him slowly, but it’s the D’Backs, so who the hell knows.
34. St. Louis – Sean Newcomb (SP, Los Angeles Angels)
Newcomb should be a fast riser through the Angels system, and might eclipse Andrew Heaney as the Angels most promising young lefty by season’s end.
35. Boston – Orlando Arcia (SS, Milwaukee Brewers)
My love for all things Arcia has been detailed for some time, so it’s no surprise that I love this pick. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Arcia is a top 25 overall prospect by year’s end. He carried his solid second half performance into winter ball and continued to impress this spring. This is downright theft getting him at number 35.
36. NY Yankees – Yoan Lopez (SP, Arizona Diamondbacks)
There were mixed reports on Lopez during the spring, but he’s a worthy gamble at this juncture. The young Cuban will start the year as part of a loaded Mobile (AA) rotation that will also feature Braden Shipley and Aaron Blair, which should lead to plenty of exposure.
37. Minnesota – Brett Phillips (CF, Houston Astros)
Phillips was a popular target this offseason in deeper leagues, and not just because his middle name is Maverick. After plowing through the Midwest League (.302/.362/.521 line with 13 HR and 18 SB in 103 games), Phillips ended up in the California League, which certainly didn’t slow down his numbers. He could be in for a Joc Pederson-like ascension up prospect rankings if he produces at the AA level in 2015.
38. Texas – Derek Fisher (CF, Houston Astros)
Another popular Astro OF target this offseason, Fisher was viewed as a potential top fifteen overall pick in the June draft before a wrist injury affected his production at the University of Virginia. This pick could end up looking pretty good in a few years if Fisher is able to tap into his six category prowess as a pro.
39. Kansas City – Billy McKinney (LF, Chicago Cubs)
McKinney came to Chicago from Oakland along with Addison Russell, and that’s about all that they have in common. McKinney is a low-upside fantasy prospect that most likely will only play left field. There are better options on the board in a league as deep as this one.
40. Toronto – Gabby Guerrero (RF, Seattle Mariners)
Little reported fact about Gabby – he’s Vladimir’s nephew. Who knew? Somebody should really make a comparison between the two.
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