by Matt Meyers
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.	Johan Santana, lhp, Twins (27)
2.	Jason Bay, of, Pirates (27)
3.	Rickie Weeks, 2b, Brewers (23)
4.	Adam Dunn, 1b/of, Reds (26)
5.	Prince Fielder, 1b, Brewers (21)
6.	Brandon Webb, rhp, D'backs (26)
7.	Aramis Ramirez, 3b, Cubs (27)
8.	Bobby Crosby, ss, Athletics (26)
9.	Lastings Milledge, of, Mets (20)
10.	Billy Butler, of, Royals (19)

My Philosophy: Didn't want anyone who could remember the Carter administration, with a core of guys who still get carded at bars (or even have fake IDs).

My Draft: Would have liked more than two pitchers, but I'm very pleased by my young talent up the middle as well as crazy corner power.

Best Draft: I was not big on his last two picks, but John Manuel's first eight gave him the best combo of upside and present performance. Lance Berkman in the seventh round was larceny.

Worst Draft: Aaron Fitt's draft has too many guys with question marks like Josh Beckett and Adrian Beltre. I thought Casey Kotchman was a reach, and Jason Varitek has little long-term value.

Best Pick: Wherever he plays, B.J. Upton should be an impact player for the next 15 years, and he fell to the end of round two to Mr. Cooper.

Worst Pick: It was the last round, but Pat Burrell has had an uneven career. He just turned 29, is a poor defender and though labeled a power hitter has an unimpressive .476 career slugging percentage. Let's hope Jim Callis can deal with his shortcomings better than Larry Bowa did.

He Wasn't Taken?: If we had done this after the 2003 season, Jose Reyes probably would've been taken in the top four rounds. His absence is understandable because of his OBP and injury questions, but he is still just 23.

That Hurt: Justin Verlander was set to fall in my lap in the sixth round before Manuel nabbed him. I can take solace in the fact that Brandon Webb is a safer bet.