2011 Draft Report Card Overview

By John Manuel and Jim Callis
October 19, 2011


As usual, our offseason prospect coverage begins with a detailed look at each team's 2011 draft. Editor in chief John Manuel (most American League clubs, plus the Astros) and executive editor Jim Callis (most National League clubs, plus the Red Sox) spoke with scouting directors, scouts and player-development officials to evaluate all 30 draft crops.

For most of the categories, only players who signed pro contracts are eligible, with the exceptions of Most Intriguing Background and The One Who Got Away. Best Late-Round Pick applies to selections from the 10th round or afterward. Numbers in parentheses indicate the round in which a player was picked.

Best Draft

1. Nationals

2. Diamondbacks

3. Pirates

4. Rays

5. Red Sox

Best Pure Hitter

1. Anthony Rendon, 3b, Nationals (1)

2. Javier Baez, ss, Cubs (1)

3. Cory Spangenberg, 2b, Padres (1)

4. Kolten Wong, 2b, Cardinals (1)

5. Josh Bell, of, Pirates (2)

Best Power Hitter

1. Josh Bell, of, Pirates (2)

2. C.J. Cron, 1b, Angels (1)

3. Anthony Rendon, 3b, Nationals (1)

4. Larry Greene, of, Phillies (1s)

5. Dan Vogelbach, 1b, Cubs (2)

Fastest Runner

1. Roman Quinn, ss, Phillies (2)

2. Terrance Gore, of, Royals (20)

3. Bradley Marquez, of, Mets (16)

4. C.J. McElroy, of, Cardinals (3)

5. Gabriel Gray, of, Royals (35)

Best Defensive Player

1. Austin Hedges, c, Padres (2)

2. Francisco Lindor, ss, Indians (1)

3. Jackie Bradley, of, Red Sox (1s)

4. Brandon Loy, ss, Tigers (5)

5. Jason Esposito, 3b, Orioles (2)

Best Fastball

1. Gerrit Cole, rhp, Pirates (1)

2. Dylan Bundy, rhp, Orioles (1)

3. Alex Meyer, rhp, Nationals (1)

4. Archie Bradley, rhp, Diamondbacks (1)

5. Jose Fernandez, rhp, Marlins (1)

Best Secondary Pitch

1. Sonny Gray, rhp, Athletics (1)

2. Trevor Bauer, rhp, Diamondbacks (1)

3. Danny Hultzen, lhp, Mariners (1)

4. Gerrit Cole, rhp, Pirates (1)

5. Taylor Guerrieri, rhp, Rays (1)

Best Athlete

1. Bubba Starling, of, Royals (1)

2. Amir Garrett, lhp, Reds (22)

3. Bradley Marquez, of, Mets (16)

4. George Springer, of, Astros (1)

5. Zach Cone, of, Rangers (1s)

Best Late-round Pick

Above-Slot Bonuses

1. Dillon Maples, rhp, Cubs (14)

2. Matt Dean, 3b, Blue Jays (13)

3. Tyler Gibson, of, Tigers (15)

4. Jack Lopez, ss, Royals (16)

5. Amir Garrett, lhp, Reds (22)

At Or Below Slot Bonuses

1. Clayton Blackburn, rhp, Giants (16)

2. Lance Jeffries, of, Cardinals (10)

3. Terrance Gore, of, Royals (20)

4. Mark Montgomery, rhp, Yankees (11)

5. Jalen Harris, 3b/1b, Brewers (41)

Best Pro Debut

College Players

1. Joe Panik, ss, Giants (1)

2. Kevin Quackenbush, rhp, Padres (8)

3. Kolten Wong, 2b, Cardinals (1)

4. Tommy LaStella, 2b, Braves (8)

5. Blair Walters, lhp, White Sox (11)

Junior College Players

1. Cory Spangenberg, 2b, Padres (1)

2. Tyler Collins, of, Tigers (6)

3. Sean Buckley, 3b, Reds (6)

4. D'Andre Toney, of, Royals (14)

5. Jorge Vega-Rosado, ss/2b, Blue Jays (28)

High School Players

1. Dante Bichette Jr., 3b, Yankees (1s)

2. Trevor Story, ss, Rockies (1s)

3. Clayton Blackburn, rhp, Giants (16)

4. Jake Hager, ss, Rays (1)

5. Chris Bostick, ss, Athletics (44)

Most Intriguing Background

Relatives

1. Trevor Gretzky, of/3b, Cubs (7)

2. Kyle Gaedele, of, Padres (6)

3. Colin Kaline, 2b, Tigers (26)

4. Shawon Dunston Jr., of, Cubs (11)

5. C.J. Cron, 1b, Angels (1) and Kevin Cron, 1b, Mariners (3)

Human Interest

1. Jonathan Taylor, of, Rangers (33) and Zach Cone, of, Rangers (1s)

2. Buddy Lamothe, rhp, Astros (40)

3. Matt Marquis, of, Red Sox (41)

4. Cavan Cohoes, ss, Mariners (9)

5. Jalen Harris, 3b/1b, Brewers (41)

Closest To The Majors

College Players

1. Trevor Bauer, rhp, Diamondbacks (1)

2. Sonny Gray, rhp, Athletics (1)

3. Danny Hultzen, lhp, Mariners (1)

4. Gerrit Cole, rhp, Pirates (1)

5. Anthony Rendon, 3b, Nationals (1)

High School Players

1. Dylan Bundy, rhp, Orioles (1)

2. Josh Bell, of, Pirates (2)

3. Javier Baez, ss, Cubs (1)

4. Jose Fernandez, rhp, Marlins (1)

5. Francisco Lindor, ss, Indians (1)

The Ones Who Got Away

College Players

1. Matt Price, rhp, Diamondbacks (6)

2. Peter O'Brien, c, Rockies (3)

3. Preston Tucker, 1b, Rockies (16)

4. Jason Coats, of, Orioles (12)

5. Ross Stripling, rhp, Rockies (9)

High School Players

1. Tyler Beede, rhp, Blue Jays (1)

2. Connor Barron, ss, Marlins (3)

3. Brett Austin, c, Padres (1s)

4. Senquez Golson, of, Red Sox (8)

5. Kevin Cron, 1b, Mariners (3)