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To celebrate my arrival as an official member of the Roster (huzzah!), I think it's time to play a little game I like to call "Draft and Follow".  There are prizes to be won... yes, prizes.

The game is simple.  Every person who wants to play must go to MLB's Draft Tracker and find the two drafted prospects whose last names are on either side of yours.  Simply imagine that you were drafted and put yourself in the alphabetical list of drafted players.  example, my name is "Wrigley" and the closest last name to Wrigley is "Wright".  Because "Wrigley" comes after "Wright" in alphabetical order, I pick the last Wright on the list... the 1035th overall pick, Tyler Wright of the White Sox (from South Florida Community College).  Then, because "Wrigley" would be last in the list of "W"s, I pick the first of the "Y"s... the 217th overall pick, 1B Theodore Yarborough of the Phillies (from Eastern Kentucky University).

Let's say my friend, Mr. Named F. Hank, is playing (OK, his last name really isn't "Hank" but you get the drift).  "Hank" would come in the list between "Haney" (SS Robert Haney of the Phillies) and "Hankerd" (Arizona LF Paul Hankerd, a 3rd-rounder).  So those are his guys.  When you figure out who your players are, post them in this thread.  If you want to use your "handle" last name, you can, or your real one.  You don't need to tell us your last name either, just tell us who your guys are.

There's only one other rule... no first-rounders allowed.  If the player was picked in the first round or the first compensation round, take the next closest player.

The game is that we compete to see whose prospects are the best and worst.  There are three prizes (exciting, Batter's Box-y sorts of prizes from the Batter's Box Corporate Vault and Archives on lovely Hans Island) to be won, by the entrants whose players end the 2006 professional season with...

The Most Runs Scored + RBI: We're looking for short-season run producers here.  We want hitters who can hit.

The Most Earned Runs Allowed: We're looking for pitchers who get lit up.  Coach would be proud of my hitter chauvinism here, I trust.

The Lowest Signing Bonus: We're looking for the smallest reported signing bonus.  Players must actually receive a signing bonus to be eligible and that bonus must be reported (Baseball America usually reports signing bonuses in its Draft Tracker, but any type of report is acceptable).  Players must sign by the end of the minor league season to be eligible.

Post who your guys are in the thread and get ready for a fun two months of checking minor league boxscores.  Major league totals, should your guy be so lucky, are included but not playoff totals of any kind. 

Periodic updates will appear here!

Batter's Box Contest: Draft and Follow | 66 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:17 PM EDT (#148843) #

Just to clarify, the first round is picks 1-44.  So if you have pick 45 or later, you're OK; otherwise take the next closest guy.

My guys, as indicated above, are Tyler Wright and Theodore Yarborough.

The contest is open to all Batter's Box members.

Mike Green - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:38 PM EDT (#148844) #
Ruling, please?  There were 3 Greens drafted, Donald, Dwain (whose parents obviously did not care much about the taunting he would endure) and Grant.  My first name falls after all of theirs.  Do I get my choice of Greens (mmm, dinner) or must I take Grant Green and Lucas Gregerson? 

I'll be happy with either, as long as Grant Green signs...

BaseballNorth - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:39 PM EDT (#148845) #

What happens when a player shares the same last name?

Can we pick that player + one on either side??? Or do I get 3 players haha?

See "Michael Pierce" taken 835 overall...

Jim - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:45 PM EDT (#148846) #

Derrik Lutz - Pick 564 P Cincinnati - George Washington U.

Mitch McDonald Pick 1380 3b Florida - Monterey Peninsula College (I wish I had gone there)

Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:51 PM EDT (#148848) #
You get Grant Green and Lucas Gregerson.  If you're after a group with the same last name, you get the last one.  If you're before a group with the same last name, you get the first one.
Maldoff - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:51 PM EDT (#148849) #

Scott Maine - Pick 678 LHP Colorado - University of Miami - Signing Bonus = 350K

Candy Maldonado (!!!!) - Pick 1365 Tampa - Porterville College - No signing bonus

Excalabur - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:52 PM EDT (#148850) #
Assuming that when alpha-by-last name fails, we go to alpha-by-first name, my lads are Gregory Smith #410 overall by the pirates at 1b from Fordham, and Charles Smith, a high school catcher drafted #1416 overall by the Yankees. 

I get the feeling my only chance is the lowest signing bonus category...

(if I get my pick of the Smiths, I might be slightly better off...)

Bruce Wrigley - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:53 PM EDT (#148851) #
Maldoff got Candy Maldonado Jr.!?! That is freakin' awesome...
Ryan Day - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:55 PM EDT (#148852) #

  Michael Davitt, RHP, Angels - #882

  Chance Deason, LHP, Padres, #1173

vw_fan17 - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 03:56 PM EDT (#148853) #
Well, let's see.. For my "real" surname, it'd be:
Zachary Helton (2B) and Trent Henderson (SS), drafted 1098 and 1119, respectively.

Wow, do I get a prize because they were BOTH picked in round 37?? Now, if it was round 35, it'd be SUPER freaky, because birthday #35 is coming up on Friday.. Unlikely to do much in terms of RBIs this year, I'd bet...

Using my alias.. Going with "Volkswagen", I get:
Matthew Vogel (SS) and William Volz (RHP)!  They were drafted 891 and 1485.

Ok, some might argue that "Fan" ought to be my real "surname", so that gives me:
Matthew Fairel (LHP) and Stephen Faris (RHP), drafted 956 and 363, respectively.

Hmm. Maybe pair #3 is my best bet to win the "getting lit up" category..

My prediction: I have a SLIGHT hope in the ERA category.

VW
ps. I'm sure my wife would find some significance in the fact that my first name is the English equivalent of Matthew, and that the only other guy she's ever had a real thing for was named Zach.
Mike Forbes - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 04:03 PM EDT (#148855) #

I got two guys picked within 8 picks of each other...

Braves draftee Robert Fontaine, SS, 72nd overall pick.

Pirates draftee Shelby Ford, 2B, 80th overall pick.

Jay - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 04:09 PM EDT (#148856) #

Cool idea for a contest. Do I have the first Blue Jay in my list I wonder?

Jonathon Del Campo - Toronto SS - pick 600

Herman Demmink - Philadelphia 3B - pick 847

JC - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 04:14 PM EDT (#148857) #
Man oh man, am I in trouble. LHP Kevin Chapman, selected 1252nd overall by Detroit. RHP Jorge Charry, selected 950th overall by Pittsburgh. At least I'm eligible for the "Lowest signing bonus" prize. What do I get if both guys are working at Taco Bell before the end of the season?
R Billie - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 04:27 PM EDT (#148858) #
943 Logan Shafer Cuesta Col CF L/L 6'1" 170 1986-09-08 JR

 

477 Blake Sharpe U Southern California 2B R/R 6'1" 185 1983-09-10 4YR  

Red Sox?  Boo.

TheyCallMeMorty - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 04:37 PM EDT (#148859) #
131 - Judson Morris - LHP - Cleveland - South Mecklenburg HS
560 - Jason Moseby - CF - Pittsburgh - Newport HS

Good thing for that 'no first rounders' rule: Otherwise I would've been stuck with Brandon Morrow. :D
Dan H - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 04:43 PM EDT (#148860) #
244th pick by the Mets: Nathan Hedrick (RHP)

504th pick by the Reds: Chris Heisey (CF)

Assuming I did this correctly; while it seems simple enough, I am kinda dumb.
XooM - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 04:43 PM EDT (#148861) #

My players are:

Brian Dinkelman - Pick 246 by the Twins - 2B - McKendree College

Joe Dispensa - Pick 1253 by the Dodgers  - CF - St. Rita High School

Ironically, the Jays drafted a player by the name of Jonathan Del Campo which is very similar to my last name, but doesn't meet the requirements of this game.

slitheringslider - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:01 PM EDT (#148863) #
Marcel Champagnie - Twins #1026 overall, SS, Kaskaskia CC

Angel Chapa - D-Rays #709 overall, RHP, Treasure Valley CC

Craig B - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:06 PM EDT (#148864) #

Neat, Marcel Champagnie... a former Inter-County player with the Hamilton Thunderbirds.

OK, my own two guys are...

Orioles LHP Troy Burki from Gig Harbour HS.  A 47th-round pitcher!

Padres RHP Matthew Buschmann of Vanderbilt.  Thanks to the "no first-rounders" rule I miss out on Emmanuel Burriss.

Paul D - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:21 PM EDT (#148865) #
Okay, there's two guys with my last name.  So I'm going to use my last name, and then my first name, giving me:

273Dan DuffyMountain Ridge HSSSR/R5'10"1751988-05-18HS

and
585Jeffrey DunbarUC RiversideCR/R6'4"2201985-06-084YR

Had I used both guys with my last name I would have had better resutls, so I thought this was fair.


braden - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:25 PM EDT (#148866) #

I'm pretty happy with my team:

110- Pittsburgh: William Hughes RHP

263- LA Dodgers: Bridger Hunt 3B

Dr. Zarco - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:25 PM EDT (#148867) #
I figure I have a better chance with the real last name, as the Z's were mostly taken in the 1000's. Perhaps this Angelle dude can take me to the top. The Jays drafted 2 of the 6 Z's however.

1266 Robert Anderson RHP S H Rider HS

388 Kevin Angelle LHP Bridge City HS
DiscoDave - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:26 PM EDT (#148868) #
my entry should get lit up pretty good:

647Romas Hicks--Georgia St U--RHP--R/R--6'1"--200--1984-01-09
242Charles Hill--Florida Christian School--RHP--R/R--6'4"--185--1988-07-05--


King Ryan - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:28 PM EDT (#148869) #
Thank God for the "no first rounders" rule or I'd be stuck with Brad Lincoln or, above him, Tim Lincecum.   In any case, my two candidates are:

Mariners 1B Johan Limonta, 591st overall.
Tigers RHP Ryan Lindgren, 802nd overall.

Yes, I happened to luck out and pick a plyer that shared my first name.  In fact, he and I have the same first 8 letters.  I feel some sort of bond with him already.  May he get lit up like a Christmas tree!

Rob - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:41 PM EDT (#148871) #
My first player is Jacob Petricka, a high school pitcher taken by the White Sox in the 38th round, 1155th overall. He's 6-5, 170.

Let me say that again: 6-5, 170.

Then we have Chris Pettit, a college outfielder who had a 3.9 GPA in high school, graduated with what I assume is a sociology degree and has Cape league experience. Better than a high school pitcher! Draftted 582nd overall, which puts him in about the 18th, 19th round?

Awesome contest, by the way, Bruce. Welcome aboard.
Ducey - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:43 PM EDT (#148872) #

343 Brandon Belt CF HS Picked by the Red Sox.  Signed for $350,000 K.  At 6'5" and 185 lbs he is "projectable" - which means he aint going to hit this year.  I bet they had visions of Alex Rios.  He has a good name for a hitter anyway.

1103 Anthony Benner 3B SW Col Picked by the Dodgers - unsigned.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:49 PM EDT (#148873) #
1108 John Lambert Chesterton HS LHP L/L 6'7" 210  
1102 Ryan LaMotta Baylor U RHP R/R 5'11" 200  
 
Halladayfan32 - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:55 PM EDT (#148874) #

Pick # 978  Drew Shetrone  COL  RHP  Cumberland U

Pick # 1375  Ryan Shook  CHC  LHP  Valley Christian Acadmey HS

BaseballNorth - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 05:57 PM EDT (#148876) #

Based on alpha by first name - here are my 2 players...let's hope they light up the minors

663 Justin Pickett Walters St CC 1B R/R 6'1" 215 1985-06-16 JR

835 Michael Pierce Fresno Pacific U C R/R 6'1" 215 1984-04-19 4YR

Cheers!

joemayo - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 06:11 PM EDT (#148878) #

I'm happy with one of my guys.  the other one, not so much...

 #83 - Aaron Bates, North Carolina St U, 1B

 #1456 - Jonathon Batts, UNC Wilmington, C

jjdynomite - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 06:28 PM EDT (#148880) #

226 Luke Gorsett U Nebraska Lincoln OF R/R 6'1" 0 1985-05-28 4YR


1256 Brandon Grabham Grayson County Col RHP R/R 6'5" 220 1986-01-30 JR

Both NL prospects so I won't feel guilty rooting for them as opposed to if they were non-Jay AL East picks.

mathesond - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 06:45 PM EDT (#148882) #
Justin Masterson, 71st overall (Boston), RHP out of San Diego State
Shane Matthews (I remember when he quarterbacked the Gators and the Bears!), 776th overall (San Francisco), RHP out of East Carolina.

Looks like I won't be winning any hitting prizes

FisherCatFan - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 07:00 PM EDT (#148883) #
Pick #866, Round 29, San Francisco Giants,  Nick Liles, Scotland HS, 2B, R/R, 6'0" 165, 1987-07-23

Pick #591, Round 20, Seattle Mariners,  Johan Limonta, Miami Dade CC South,  1B,  L/L , 6'0" 205,  1983-08-04, JR

Well, at least I have a chance of seeing Liles here in Manchester, if he makes it up to Double-A Connecticut!!
Flex - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 08:14 PM EDT (#148886) #
Drat! I had a first rounder and I lost him. Ah well.
My guys:

Adam Coe - 220th pick, chosen by the Atlanta Braves, from Russell County High School. A just-turned-18, 6-foot-nothing 3B
Paul Coleman - 353rd pick, chosen by the Dodgers, from Pepperdine U, a 22-year-old 6'4" LHP

I just like saying Pepperdine.

CeeBee - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 08:19 PM EDT (#148888) #

1357 Zachariah Barger Grossmont Col RF L/R 6'2" 195 1985-11-01 JR 350K

440 James Barksdale U North Alabama CF L/L 5'10" 175 1985-05-07 4YR

A pair of outfielders pretty far down the pecking order. Guess I'll need a miracle or something even better like divine intervention.

Nolan - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 08:31 PM EDT (#148889) #
My two are: Kyle Gibson, RHP, Philidelphia - pick #1087 Apparently has some talent as he has a 90+ mph fastball and at 6'6" could improve on that. Thomas Giles, LF, LA Dodgers - pick 233
Jordan - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 08:50 PM EDT (#148894) #

The good:

1158      Jason Fuqua, Baytown Sterling HS, LHP, 6'3", 170, 1988-04-25 (Rockies)

The bad:

54         Thomas Furnish, Texas Christian U., LHP, 6'1", 183, 1985-01-19 (Cardinals) ($350K)

budgell - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 09:28 PM EDT (#148896) #

....and the winners are

586 Brandon Buckman U Nebraska Lincoln 1B L/L 6'5" 225 1984-02-14 4YR

606 Gilbert Buenrostro Cuesta Col C R/R 6'0" 190 1985-12-30 JR

superdevin - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 10:04 PM EDT (#148898) #
here are a couple of real winners (both have my first inital and last name):

1001Jarett Jackson  Thomas Jefferson HS  LF  R/R  6'3"  220  1988-04-17  HS 

1274Jose Jackson  South Florida CC  2B  R/R  6'1"  185  1986-10-25  JR 


laketrout - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 10:07 PM EDT (#148899) #
My two lucky picks:

73        Matthew Long    Miami U    RHP    R/R    6'5"    220    1984-02-23    4YR
&
701        Derrick Loop    Cal St Los Angeles    LHP    R/L    6'3"    220    1983-12-11    4YR

I would have had Evan Longoria if not for  the first round rule. 
...Loop... cracks me up saying that name, I hope to see him in the majors at some future time.

Dave Rutt - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 10:26 PM EDT (#148900) #
#509 Keoni Ruth

#350 Kent Sakamoto
Dave Rutt - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 10:30 PM EDT (#148901) #
I would have done well at this about 80 years ago... if they had a draft
Thomas - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 10:38 PM EDT (#148903) #
1150 Joshua Ashton (Atlanta Braves)

Junius H Rose HS, OF, L/,L, 5'11", 180, 1988-02-04, HS


1350 Scott Bachman (Colorado Rockies

Rocky Mountain HS (coincidentally enough), LHP, L/L, 6'1", 170, 1988-04-23, HS



Jonny German - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 11:01 PM EDT (#148906) #
TheyCallMeMorty has the players that correspond to my regular surname, so I'll go by German... which gives me Zachary Gerler, 925th overall to the Orioles, and Grant Gerrard, #208 to the Orioles.
AWeb - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 11:19 PM EDT (#148907) #
#234 Travis Webb, LHP
#493 Tyler Weeden, RH, Catcher

High schooler for a hitter, 4 year collegian for a pitcher.
Brian W - Tuesday, June 13 2006 @ 11:42 PM EDT (#148908) #
My amazing representatives:

St. Louis - Robert Woodard (1390 - UNC Chapel Hill) RHP
Milwaukee - Micah Wright (182 - Oklahoma St.) LHP

Magpie - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 12:28 AM EDT (#148909) #
If I used my handle, I'd end up duplicating one of Maldoff's picks and we'd need a Ruling from the Commissioner.

So I'll use my actual name. Either way I get a Jays prospect (although I would have really liked to get Brandon Magee!)

Put me down for:

Patrick McGuigan, RHP from the University of San Francisco!, the 810th player taken, and drafted by Your Toronto Blue Jays.

Michael McKennon, a LH outfielder from the University of Texas, the 744th player taken, and drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.



Mudie - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 01:14 AM EDT (#148911) #

167 Harold Mozingo Virginia Commonwealth U RHP R/R
239 William Muldowney U Pittsburgh RHP R/R
I'm hoping that these guys are gas on the fire. Burn, baby, burn!

Ryan C - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 01:37 AM EDT (#148914) #
I end up with a couple big right-handed pitchers:

#237    Chase Christianson  RHP  6'5" 220, 1984-12-11

and....
#673    Michael Christl  RHP  6'4" 185,  1984-09-02
HaloBrad - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 02:21 AM EDT (#148917) #

I got 2 pitchers, one from the rich Braves tradition and one from the frightening Rockies high elevation:

Greg Hyde (Braves) #130

Brandon Hynick (Rockies) #228

 

DJR - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 04:45 AM EDT (#148919) #

How's this for cool:

A guy named after me:

524 David Robertson U Alabama Tuscaloosa RHP R/R 5'11" 180 1985-04-09 4YR

And my twin (not biological, of course):

96 Tyler Robertson Bella Vista HS LHP L/L 6'5" 225 1987-12-23 HS

Sheldon - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 06:36 AM EDT (#148922) #
Tanner Chitwood #1214
David Christensen #46

Now there is a gap!

kinguy - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#148959) #
I've got a pair of high schoolers in quadruple figures with no signing bonus.  This does not bode well...

1150Joshua AshtonJunius H Rose HSOFL/L5'11"1801988-02-04HS


1306Scott BachmanRocky Mountain HSLHPL/L6'1"1701988-04-23HS


Zao - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 07:12 PM EDT (#149011) #
Wilberto Morales, TOR, #1404 Anthony Morel, CHC, #1288
BallGuy - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 10:55 PM EDT (#149018) #

1167,  Arizona Diamondbacks, Riley Etchebarren

1055, Florida Marlins, Christopher Evans (which, ironically enogh, was the name of the guy after me in home room all through highschool).

 

 

Mike D - Wednesday, June 14 2006 @ 11:56 PM EDT (#149022) #

Excellent contest, Bruce.  I'm excited!

Put me down for

Keegan Dennis, RHP from Carmi-White County High School in Carmi, Illinois, the 1,240th player taken, and drafted by the Atlanta Braves.

Steven Detwiler, SS from San Rafael High School in California, the 1,209th player taken, and drafted by the Houston Astros.

kinguy - Thursday, June 15 2006 @ 08:46 AM EDT (#149029) #
kinguy, feel free to take the next pair out from those two...

Thank you, thank you, thank you.   A lot better this time around.

169Nevin AshleyIndiana St UCR/R6'2"2101984-08-144YR350K

411Jared BaehlNorth Posey HS3BR/R6'2"2001987-11-18HS 



Cristian - Thursday, June 15 2006 @ 08:52 AM EDT (#149030) #
Here are my guys

125Hector CorreaLorenzo Coballes GandiaRHPR/R6'3"1651988-03-18HS350K 1257Sean CoughlinU KentuckyCL/R6'1"2251985-05-144YR 


James W - Thursday, June 15 2006 @ 08:55 AM EDT (#149031) #
I get #543 Garner Wetzel, a RF from Millsaps College, drafted by San Diego, as well as #827 Michael Wheeler, an OF from Walters State CC, drafted by Kansas City.
emilyruth - Thursday, June 15 2006 @ 03:40 PM EDT (#149068) #
I've got two RHPs: Anthony Slama, #1176, drafted to the Twins, and John Slusarz, #1078, to the Rangers.
King Ryan - Sunday, August 20 2006 @ 07:42 PM EDT (#153655) #
So ... any updates on this?

My first baseman, Johan Limonta, has 32 R+RBI.  I don't think he got a signing bonus.

Unfortunately, my pitcher (Ryan Lindgren) has not received a contract from the Tigers.

Rob - Sunday, August 20 2006 @ 08:10 PM EDT (#153658) #
My first baseman, Johan Limonta, has 32 R+RBI

68 for Chris Pettit: 31 runs, 37 RBI (.319/.437/.552). Take that!
Batter's Box Contest: Draft and Follow | 66 comments | Create New Account
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