Season 13, Y.O.P. Review (Season 20, In their prime)

Some time has passed since my last review of this outstanding pitching class, specifically the 10 pitchers selected in the first 11 picks. As we enter season 20, all of these guys have now had 7 seasons to mature and have enterred their prime, or in the case of the collegiate seniors like Glenn Breat are approaching the ripe age of 30 and the other side of the rainbow.

Several seasons back I made some predictions on the futre of this class, so lets see how I did:

GlennBrett, taking at the top of the draft by Tampa has continued to reward that franchise well. The reigning Cy Young award winner is 74 up to 38 down at he enters his age 29 season with a 1.20 WHIP and 3.08 ERA.


My original projections were: 86-86-80-95-86-79-80-68-64-24-65
In his prime: 85-80-75-94-84-76-76-66-58-27-61

Looks like my back of the napkin projections were pretty accurate, considering he lost a few points here and there a couple of seasons back due to injury. Glenn has established himself as the Ace everyone knew him to be when drafted. Now the key question with a good 6-10 seasons left, can he cross over the 200 win threshold and gain access to the Hall? He'd need to average 16 wins a season over the next 8 years to get there, something that seems highly likely baring a couple of major injuries.


Sam Bowie was once drafted b/w Olajuwon and Jordan in 1984. Season 13's draft had WalterPote. A draft setting mix up, led to Montreal taking Pote b/w two certain aces, not to mention before all the other top level arms in this draft. However, unlike Bowe's Pote's suckiness may have been well over states as a trade to Chicago has turned Pote into a very solid middle of the rotation pitcher, and occasional ace over stretches. Pote made the all star game in season 18, briefly was mention amongst the Cy Young nominees that same season before falling off the nominatin list, and has quietly put together 2+ solid seasons in the show. Over those 2+ seasons, he's 27-13 with a 1.38 WHIP and 4.06 era. Toss out his season 17 season spent mostly in the pen with less than ideal results, and his numbers look even better as a starter.

My original projections were: 65-63-54-46-36-36-71-67-56-57-40
In his prime: 74-81-63-56-39-39-77-72-67-62-44

An early career injury made this one a bit tougher to project, outside of his initial draft scouting projections. Needless to say, he's exceeded most everyone's projections, outside of Chicago who was smart enough to acquire Pote and his outstanding set of pitches.

With the 3rd pick, $11 mil bonus baby, CraigWinston was selected by the bad logos. Now 25 and nearly 3 full season in the who, Winston has lived up to expectations. Two all star selections and a rookie of the year, Winston has been nominated for the Cy Young each of the last two seasons, coming up short in both votes. Having won 19 games each of the last 2 seasons, Craig hopes to push that total over 20 this year in hopes of claiming the so far elusive Cy Young award. Totals to date include a 55-22 win/loss mark, a 1.08 WHIP and a 2.58 era.

My original projections were: 72-88-89-91-30-99-95-86-75-76-0
In his prime: 71-79-81-86-28-96-90-82-67-63-0

A mid season injury last year knocked off a point here and there, but perhaps there's time to recover a bit. None the less, he's going to end up a shade shy of my original projections, but certainly on the level of staff ace. With at least 10+ good season in the tank, he'll need to average 14.5 wins over the next 10 years to top the 200 win mark by the age of 35 and perhaps a good luck at joining the short list of 250+ game winners in this world.

With the 5th pick, Fresno (formerly Arizona) selected LyleHines. Lyle has established himself as a solid front line starter over his two seasons. Despite a sub .500 career record (25-29), Lyle's rate stats would suggest he's due for an all star appearance or 4 down the line. An era around 3.4, and a career WHIP of 1.27 suggests someone that should shot north of .500 on his career record by season's end.

My original projections were: 79-94-61-73-82-83-79-80-52-42-0
In his prime: 71-94-62-74-80-79-80-81-50-38-0

Lyle's outstanding 99 makeup have allowed him to exceed my initials projections in several areas. Lyle has proven his worth above the traditional 5th slot in the draft, and highlights the depth of the pitching class in this draft as he may be only the 4th or 5th best starter drafted in the top 10.

At 6, Boston draft high school lefty BoomerConroy. Now 25, and in his 4th full season in the show, Boomer has been one of the lone bright spots during Boston's recent downturn. Now that the Boston franchise looks to be turning the corner, the brass is expecting Boomer to lead the charge from the front of their rotation. At first glance, Boomer's career 4.94 era looks rather unimpressive, however after examing the team around him, and noticing as his defenders have gotten better, his rate stats have increased each season, it doesn't take long to realize Boomer's still on track for an all star appearance or two in the next decade.

My original projections were: 97-79-65-61-34-70-78-73-52-44-0
In his prime: 95-84-69-66-34-68-86-76-55-46-0

Similar to Lyle Hines, Boomer's outstanding 99 makeup has allowed him to exceed my initial projections in several areas. Both his control and quality of pitches are significantly higher than my initial projections. Boomer will neer be a strike out artist, but its easy to see that he blongs at the top of most rotations and will help Boston back to the top of their division in due time.

Memphis (formerly Texas) selected ChadPride with the 7th selection. Despite being the 6th pitcher taken in this draft, Chad has arguably been the most productive. In his first 3 seasons, Chad has won a gold glove, two all star selections and a Cy Young award in season 18 for the dominate Memphis franchise. 42 career wins to 17 losses, a career 1.11 WHIP and holding opponents to a sub .250 average, its hard to find anything not to like about Pride's start.

My original projections were: 74-86-76-86-99-80-78-71-60-16-0
In his Prime: 68-86-74-86-95-75-77-69-61-16-0

Seems like my projections fell right in line, unfortunately a little short in his less than ideal stamina, but who's going to complain about 6-7 dominate innings every 5th night?

At 8, Minnesota (formerly Portland) irock pulled out HS righty VicPena. It was thought by this scribe that Pena could challenge anyone else in this class as the top arm at the end of the day. Pena started out like a ball of fire, claiming the rookie of the year award during season 16. However, irock's dedication to our country, and lack of full attention to his team helped in the setback's that were Pena's season 17 & 18. A season 19 labrum tear set him back even further and finally, in season 20, he's begining to live up to the expectations he headed upon himself during his rookie of the year campaign 4 seasons ago. A career 4.82 era, 1.40 WHIP and 35-34 record are far worse than were initially expected, however expect a bounce back over the next couple of seasons and a solid #2 type starer.

My original projections were: 87-83-59-78-35-80-84-79-69-32-0
In his Prime: 84-83-59-81-34-83-82-78-69-30-0

I originally wrote that I thought his lack of development by the owner running things while irock was in basic would set my intial projections a little shy of where his peak actually was. throw in the labrum tear, and I think that holds true, but despite it all, he ended up remarkably close to what I originally thought he'd be.

The 8th starter, BootsGonzales was selected by Cleveland with the 9th pick in season 13. Similar to the Browns, Boots was eventually traded to Balitmore to find more fertile soil. Boots has bounced back and forth b/w AAA and the majors the last couple of seasons, before finally settling for good in the show last year with a 3.09 era over 28 starts. To date, Boots is 14-17 with a 1.21 WHIP and 3.23 era while holding opponents to a stellar .231 average.

My original projections were: 70-87-61-66-91-69-82-63-43-37-0
In his prime: 69-87-67-71-88-67-83-62-42-33-0

Boots has exceeded my orginally less than ideal splits to end up with splits more acceptable to go with his outstanding velocity & changeup. Baltimore is starting to show signs of life, and Boots is at the forefront. Could another all star be added to this class?

Boots was the last of my projection projects, and have proven to be fairly accurate, though definently not perfect. However, beyond those 8 starters drafted in the top 10, there have several other pitchers of note in this class, who are providing value to their current teams:

HaroldAspromonte has won the firerman of the year award once, as well as 2 all star selctions.
JeffAusmus has been stellar for Omaha (now Syracuse) made the all star team in season 17 while continually posting stellar starts for the former #14 selection.
DennyYoshii, the 17th pick, made the all star team in Pittsburgh last year, as well as help Pittsburgh to the World Seriers and an NL pennant.

And that doesn't even include a handful of stellar bats from this draft. The pitching class of season 13 has certainly lived up to its billing. Time will tell how many of these starters will eventually land in the hall of fame. Looks like 3-4 strong possibilities, and perhaps some time for a couple more to jump into the conversation.

Season 13 draft, Y.O.P. review #????

W/ the all star break having come and gone, and watching several pitchers in this class leave their mark on the game, its time to catch up w/ what this elite draft class is up to.

Glen_Brett was selected at the top of the draft, and as a college senior, Brett was made the biggest mark to date in the show. Already in his 4th season and in his prime at 27, Brett has racked up 55 wins with a 1.25 WHIP.

The selection of Walter_Pote was widely lauded in these circles. Following an injury plagued season 14, Pote was quitely shipped off the Chicago in a deal meet by many shrugs. However, despite a rocky debut in the majors last season, it would appear that Chicago may be getting the last laugh as Pote was announced to the all star team following an 11-1 start, a 3.07 era, 1.23 WHIP and a near 2:1 K:BB ratio. As others wait for him to fall back to earth, Pote's gathering steam for a Cy Young nomination.

With the 3rd selection, Atlanta grabbed the to HS arm, $11 mil bonus baby Craig_Winston. Season 17 saw Winston walk away with Rookie of the Year honors, gathering 15 wins vs 6 losses, a sporty Omaha Stylee era, a 1.10 WHIP and 2.4 strikeouts for every 1 walk. So far in season 18, Winston has been even more dominate with 11 wins vs 3 losses, a sub 1.00 WHIP, sub 2.00 ERA and nearly 3 Ks for every walk leading to his first all star game appearance (a rather forgetable 1st inning on short rest). At this pace, the #2 pick and #3 pick from season 13 may be going head to head for the Cy Young award.

At #4, KC took the lone non-pitcher of the top 10, second baseman Zeke_Evans. Zeke displays great range at 2nd, though the glove is shaky at times. However, for the 4th pick KC passed on a lot of solid arms for a guy that does nothing spectacular at the plate. Though he's solid on the base paths, he's OPS'd to the tune of .750 over roughly 3 major league seasons. At 27, Zeke isn't likely to see much improvement, and poor makeup means he'll start his decline in another season or two.

Arizona (now Fresno) got us back on the pitching track w/ Lyle_Hines at #5. At the age of 23, Lyle made his major league debut this season, later than the rest, but he's thrown gems from the get go. Despite the 5-13 record, Lyle sports a 3.05 era, 1.17 WHIP, and a near 3:1 k:bb ratio. Once Fresno acquires some talent around him, expect Lyle's win rate to improve, as his slash rates lead him to multiple all star appearances.

At #6, Boston selected HS lefty Boomer_Conroy. Boomer has struggle do date as opponents have been driving balls into and over the Green Monster at an alarming rate. In 2 seasons, Boomer is 14 up, and 31 down, with a 1.5 WHIP & near 5.00 era. Boston's director of player personal still believes that Boomer will eventually put things together and projects as a middle rotation starter in the bigs. Hopefully Boomer realizes that potential in Boston, rather than his next stop.

With the 7th pick, Texas selected HS fireballer Chad_Pride. When the franchise relocated to Memphis, Pride quickly became the problem for AL hitters. Pride had a shakey start to the bigs, lossing 11 times to 5 wins, with a 4.35 era. However, his 1.31 WHIP last year indicated that there was some greatness lurking behind his losses. Season 18 has seen Pride develop into the face of the organization, his first all star bid, and a challenge for the Cy Young. 16-6, 0.98 WHIP, 1.98 era, 143Ks to 38 BBs. Memphis may fall short of the playoffs this season, but expect them to be a contender for a long time w/ Pride leading the charge.

Portland early jumped to the podium to take HS righty Vic_Pena at 8. Working in the glow of the Rookie of the year award in season 16, Pena has struggled the last 2 years. This season, Pena has dropped 10 decision to 7 victories, but more alarming is his 1.82 WHIP & 7.00+ ERA. The "B" word is starting to creep into conversation of Pena, despite scouts suggesting he has 3 top level pitches. Phone calls to Victor Zambrano remain unreturned as Portland attempts to fix the demons in his head and realize the promise that Pena once displayed.

Cleveland choose Boots_Gonzales with the 9th pick. Despite solid middle of the rotation stuff, Boots has already been the center piece of 2 seperate trades, finding his way to Baltimore in season 17. A successful cup of coffee last year left Baltimore fans with great hope this year, however an early season injury set him back several months. Boots has bounced back from his injuries and thru 11 starts he has a 0.80 era, sub 2.5 era, 5 wins, 2 losses and an amazing 52k:12bb ratio. At 23, Boots has a chance to further recover some of his skills that were lost to injury, expect a long solid career in Baltimore.

Harold_Aspromonte, the premier closer of the draft was choosen at #10 by Trenton (Balitmore). However, fears of injury lead Baltimore to trade Aspromonte to Portland in season 16. The fear of injury has yet to rear its ugly head, and Portland has reaped the rewards, watching Aspromonte 69 wins in 2+ seasons. His career 2.53 era should hold up strong as long as he remains healthy, and at 25, he has many seasons left to contender for the Rolaids Fireman award.

Tacoma put an end to the run on pitchers, using the 11th pick to take Rene_Richardon. Rene was later traded to jacksonville, before finding his way to Seattle half way thru season 17. Rene finally made his debut w/ Seattle this year, thought the sledding has been rougher than expected. A 1.52 WHIP & 5.22 era have led to a 5-7 mark on the hill. Scouts tell us that Rene still displays his dominate fastball and pinpoint control, believing he'll remain a fixture in the Seattle rotation as the team is built around him.

And so it is written, 5 years after their draft this amazing class has all reached the show. Hard to believe the college seniors are nearing the middle of their careers already. Pote has easily been the most suprising (in a good way), while Pena's the most suprising in a bad way. Brett, Winston & Pride all remain on track for the HoF careers several predicted. Hines & Gonzalez have been nothing short of spectacular in their short careers, while Boomer & Rene leave a little to be desired, though clearly on the rebuilding teams. Aspromonte will remain filthy in the 9th, as long as his elbow holds up, and fans in KC will always wonder what could have been. Until the next update, this class remains one of the better classes on paper. There are several more later in the draft who could be highlighted as well, but the Season 13 - 10 will always have time seperating their names from each other in the annuals of plumpyville!!!!1111