My goals in the top 9 rounds were to draft college power-over-hit guys and college pitchers so that the guys I drafted had a chance to play in Cleveland in '27 and/or '28 when Jose, Clase and Kwan (pending a QO) were there and before Bibee, Williams, Allen. Smith, et al reached their last year before free agency.
So, let's see what happened.
Pick #27
Fischer was my choice but my big board had Bremner, then Laviolette then Fischer. When Bremner went #2 overall and Fischer was gone, the next choice was Laviolette. Like him or not like him, he was my next pick as a college power hitter with some ability to stay in CF.
After Tucker and Velasquez (and even Freeman, Tucker, Halpin and Velasquez) there was no way I was taking a HS player who, in the best case scenario, was only making an impact in '29 or '30. I mean, c'mon. This was the end of the first round and the guys available were not Konnor Griffin, it was Hammond or de Brun. So, no.
So, the only logical choice was Laviolette, which was borne out when Neville wasn't even drafted on the first day and Belyeu was drafted much lower and the Cubs were made fun of for drafting an injured Conrad, who wasn't even there when we picked, anyways.
So, Laviolette, with any warts he has, was the obvious pick...as my #27 big board said.
Appropriate tick: Laviolette
Pick #64
My pick, JP Russell, was gone already. My backup plan, Dzierwa was gone already. Hell, even Obermueller was gone already as were Shores, Phillips and Lombardi.
So, I was screwed, unless I went for Neville but, apparently, something was wrong as NOBODY went for him and even Taylor was gone by then.
So, the Guardians went for Curley and, as a college power over hit middle infielder, I can't fault that pick...although I am upset about not getting Russell or Dzierwa here.
Appropriate pick: Curley
Pick #66
Again, I didn't plan well here as I thought SOME pitcher would be there and, in fact, Ellwanger was so I could have gone for him, I guess.
I wouldn't have gone for Walton, to be honest, but I couldn't find the college pitcher I really wanted so another hit over poser guy, especially a middle infielder, is a good substitute, I guess.
Walton is kind of a terrible pick because he was such an overdraft but at least he was a college power-over-hit guy so, there's that.
And Turley and Neville were still available.
Appropriate pick: Turley
Pick #70
Here is where I went, in my mocks, for Gavin Turley, OF, Oregon State. He has 65-70 power and can play RF well. But no one drafted Turley on the first day, either. I have lots of issues with drafting Hynes here and I am really concerned that they took too much from the one appearance he had against their extended spring training roster back in April. So, Barr or Eyanson as college pitchers before Hynes if we don't go position player
Appropriate pick: Eyanson
Pick #101
Barr was here at 101 so he was at the top of my board so I will go with him.
Appropriate pick: Barr
So, the loss of so many strong, projectable, with current ability college pitchers really threw the first day out of whack for me but I could have saved the day by going Laviolette, Curley, Turley, Eyanson, Barr.
In summary, the first day of this draft may turn out terribly but, as I run through the logic in my mind, it isn't terrible, especially if Schubart pans out and we get Barr in the 4th round. If Laviolette turns back into the guy he was before the 2025 college season, this will be a great first day.
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