Who I would have drafted in '09

I'm going to start with the 15th pick and then take a player every 30 picks thereafter, we'll see how my team does.

#15: Tim Wheeler - Wheeler is a well-coached polished college hitter with plenty of tools; he should hit for a good average with at least average power and plate discipline while being able to steal a handful of bags as well. (actually drafted #32 by Colorado)

2nd choice: Kyle Gibson - Gibson was the second best college pitching prospect for most of the college season but fell a few slots because of an arm injury late in the season, however he should be fine in the long term and would be a good choice at this spot. (actually drafted #22 by Minnesota)

#45: Rich Poythress - Poythress is a big muscular first baseman with a sound approach at the plate; He has good but not incredible power and should also hit for a decent average while playing average defense at first. (actually drafted #51 by Seattle)

2nd choice: Kyle Heckathorn - Heckathorn has great pure arm strength and can touch the mid 90s with his fastball. His other pitches need work but show potential. He struck out more than a batter an inning every year in college and could be an above average starter in the majors or a power reliever. (actually drafted #47 by Milwaukee)

#75: Kyle Seager - Seager got over 700 at bats in three years at North Carolina and earned the reputation of being a team leader and hard worker. He has just enough pop in his bat to survive in the majors and looks like a #2 hitter with his solid plate discipline and contact skills. He lacks ideal power for third base but may be able to stick at 2nd. (actually drafted #82 overall by Seattle)

2nd choice: Max Stassi - see below

#105: Max Stassi - It is rare to find a high school hitter who is both polished and loaded with upside; add in the fact that he is a catcher and it is easy to get excited about having Stassi. He only slipped this far due to signability but at this point in the draft it's worth the risk in a big way. (actually drafted #123 by Oakland)

2nd choice: Josh Spence - Spence is a polished lefty who posted impressive numbers at Arizona State. I typically wouldn't go for "pitchability" guys this early but his strikeout numbers are impressive and he only gave up 3 home runs in 100 innings his junior year, making him much more appealing. (actually drafted #110 by Los Angeles AL)

#135: Adam Warren - Warren played for four years at UNC and hit his stride in his senior season as he gained more consistency with his slider. His fastball is typically low 90s but a bit straight however his slider and changeup both show potential. He also has a softer curve he occasionally mixes in. (actually drafted #135 by New York AL)

2nd choice: Jason Hagerty - Hagerty is a catcher with good size and power potential. He has some holes in his swing but also enough of an idea about the strike zone to be dangerous with the bat. (actually drafted #144 by San Diego)

#165: Rob Lyerly - Lyerly has proven in his last two years at NC State that he can really hit for both average and power. He's not the best pure athlete but at this point in the draft it is rare to find a college bat that looks like he should be able to develop into a major league hitter. (actually drafted #165 by New York AL)

2nd choice: Mark Serrrano - Serrano put up massive strikeout numbers against fairly weak competition at Oral Roberts. He has average stuff with a fastball that sits in the high 80s. He could be a number 5 starter in the big leagues, but I'd be tempted to move him into the pen, hope his stuff kicks up a notch and he turns into a great reliever. (actually drafted # 179 by Cincinnati)

#195: Kendal Volz - After a couple fairly safe picks it is time to try for some more high risk guys. Volz was a potential top 10 prospect coming into the season but his stuff dropped off and he slid hard. This seems like the righ time to grab him and see if you can help him find his previous form. (actually drafted #288 by Boston)

2nd choice: Brian Moran - Moran is another low ceiling lefty but someone who looks like he can get major league hitters out in a bullpen role due to his moxie. In reality I'd be inclined to go more high risk here but Moran is also tempting. (actually drafted #203 by Seattle)

#225: John Younginer - Younginer is only available here because he is a tough sign. With a mid 90s fastball and power breaking ball with promise he's too good to pass up and you would have to try very hard to sign him. (actually drafted #228 by Boston)

2nd choice: Sean Black - Black was a major prospect coming out of high school but did not live up to expectations at Seton Hall. He still shows a solid average fastball and curve, he looks like he could be potent coming out of the bullpen and I'd try him in that role. (actually drafted #225 by New York AL)

#255: Ryan Berry - Rice pitchers do not have a great track record and Berry already had an injury this past year in college but he was one of the most dominant pitchers early in the season and is worth the risk at this point in the draft. (actually drafted #266 by Baltimore)

2nd choice: Tyler Lyons - see below

#285: Tyler Lyons - Lyons' story is the same as Volz in that his stuff has dropped off, but he is still a crafty left-hander who gets grounders and has a chance to bounce back. There's also a subjective element to this selection as I've seen video of Lyons pitch and loved his motion; I feel like he is guaranteed to have great command and see him as a future major leaguer. (actually drafted #315 by New York AL)

2nd choice: Blake Dean - He's probably a DH but comes from a big time school, has hit for power and average while showing good plate discipline... sure I'm sold on that player in the 10th round even without reading a scouting report (because I can't find one). (actually drafted #312 by Minnesota)