by Jim Callis
March 16, 2006

DREAM DRAFT

BA staffers try their hand at team-building

Round-By-Round Round 1 Round 6 Round 2 Round 7 Round 3 Round 8 Round 4 Round 9 Round 5 Round 10

Teams J.J. Cooper John Manuel Aaron Fitt Chris Kline Alan Schwarz Will Lingo Will Kimmey Alan Matthews Matt Meyers Jim Callis

By The Numbers

Vote For Your Favorite Draft

Pick	Player, Position, Organization (Age as of April 1, 2006)
1.	Mark Prior, rhp, Cubs (25)
2.	Jeremy Hermida, of, Marlins (22)
3.	Justin Upton, ss, Diamondbacks (18)
4.	Roy Halladay, rhp, Blue Jays (28)
5.	Conor Jackson, 1b, Diamondbacks (23)
6.	Stephen Drew, ss, Diamondbacks (23)
7.	Ian Stewart, 3b, Rockies (20)
8.	Dan Haren, rhp, Athletics (25)
9.	Brett Myers, rhp, Phillies (25)
10.	Pat Burrell, of, Phillies (29)

My Philosophy: Take players under 30 and try not to go crazy taking prospects over big leaguers.

My Draft: I loaded up on prospects, but at least they were elite prospects. In three years, this would be a dominant nucleus for a big league club.

Best Draft: Matt Meyers. He got the best pitcher in baseball (Johan Santana), didn't make a bad pick and stole Lastings Milledge in the ninth round.

Worst Draft: Will Kimmey. I liked his first five picks, but he went too old in his last five. Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, Pedro Martinez and Ichiro are still formidable, but their best days are behind them.

Best Pick: Meyers again, with Rickie Weeks at No. 25. Milledge at No. 85 is a close second.

Worst Pick: Ryan Zimmerman at No. 14 to Chris Kline. I really like Zimmerman as a prospect, but there are a ton of gifted young third basemen and that was a huge overdraft.

He Wasn't Taken?: Jose Reyes or Troy Tulowitzki. But we drafted 11 shortstops, so some had to be left on the board.

That Hurt: I hoped Joe Mauer or Delmon Young would get to me at No. 10, but both went right before I could pick.