Looking back on Draft 2007

It seems like as good a time as any to take a look at the first round of the 2007 draft and see what boneheaded mistakes we made or hidden treasures we uncovered. Let's take a look:

1) Jered Weaver, Honolulu - This was a pretty obvious pick at the time and it's not a bad one. Weaver had a solid 2007 season for Honolulu (10-13, 4.34, 1.21 WHIP). Weaver looks like he'll be a keeper for 2008, so the Sharks got their money's worth here.

2) Anibal Sanchez, DC - Not much of a reach here for D.C. at the time. Sanchez looked like he'd be a good bet for the future. Anibal posted pretty mediocre stats for the Slappers (7-13, 4.57, 1.47 WHIP). Things aren't looking so good for Sanchez for '08 though. In his first game of the Venezuelan Winter League, Sanchez blew out his arm and will miss the entire 2008 season. It's likely that Anibal will not be protected by D.C.

3) Cole Hamels, Sardine City - A disaster for the 2007 season (4-18, 6.07 ERA), but looking good for 2008. Hamels and pitching coach David Cone have discovered a flaw in Hamels' mechanics and think that the young lefthander will rebound in 2008.

4) Josh Johnson, Philadelphia - With the previous three picks, Philly's selection was a no-brainer. Johnson was 13-9, 4.54 with a 1.51 ERA in 2007 as the fourth man in the Animals' rotation. Like Sanchez before him, Johnson also injured himself in a freak Trick or Treating accident last month and will likely miss the '08 season.

5) Joel Zumaya, New Jersey - The draft room was stunned that Zumaya went this early, but Zumaya put up very solid numbers (8-5, 3.63, 1.23 WHIP, 3 saves) for Team Buddah. Zumaya, like many of the other first rounders apparently, will also miss the 2008 season after testing positive for midi-chlorians. Team Buddah, with a dearth of keepable players for 2008, may end up protecting Zumaya, however.

6) Takashi Saito, Hillsborough - So far out of the players taken, Saito has had the best 2007 season. Saito saved 17 games in a split closer role for the Hitmen and compiled a 2.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Saito is looking likely to return in 2008 and could assume the full time closer role. A great pick for the Hitmen.

7) Chris Duncan, Hoboken - Duncan was the first position player to be selected and paid big dividends for the Cutters. Duncan led the team with 32 homers and also drove in 102 runs with a .985 OPS and helped to lead the Cutters to their first playoff appearance since 2002. Despite the successful rookie campaign, Duncan is on the fringe of being retained for the 2008 season. Hey, at least he didn't have any freak injuries...yet.

8) Dan Uggla, South Boston - Some questioned South Boston's wisdom (or sobriety?) when picking Uggla when they already had protected Rickie Weeks and Orlando Hudson. Nevertheless the Gang was tempted by Uggla's power potential. But Uggla never did pull it together. Uggla batted a mere .193 with a .599 OPS and 9 homers in 218 at bats. He looks like a borderline (very borderline) keeper for the Blue Ridge Bombers, but so far is looking like a major bust.

9) John Maine, D.C. - The Slappers make their second pick of the first round and selected another starting pitcher. Maine (11-8, 4.94) was not much better than Anibal Sanchez, but his 2008 outlook is much better. Maine made some major strides at the end of the 2007 season and the coaching staff seems to think he could be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter.

10) Delmon Young, Carolina - Young became the first inelligible player to be selected in the 2007 draft. Young's numbers in the minors were nothing special, but he may end up with a bench spot on the Mudcats' roster next year. The Cats still think that Young has superstar potential.

11) Nick Markakis, Arkansas - Markakis was only a part timer for the Falcons in 2007, but Arkansas knew that he was a long term project. Markakis projects to be a starting member of the Falcon outfield in '08.

12) Jeremy Sowers, Marietta - The young lefty was so-so for the Mighty Men (11-10, 5.33 ERA). Maybe not a world-beater, but he did hold down the rotation slot all season and had a winning record to boot. He was disastrous in the playoffs (0-1, 15.88) and didn't even play against the Sugar Bears (mercifully so). Sowers is not expected to be protected by the Mighty Men.

13) Scott Olsen, Vancouver - Speaking of disasters...Somehow Scott Olsen amassed a winning record (6-5) despite getting shelled seemingly at every turn in the rotation (5.94 ERA, 1.59 WHIP). Vancouver has already stated that Olsen will not be protected after repeated bombings in the minors and the Arizona Fall League.

14) Dennys Reyes, Newark - Reyes was fortunate enough to be drafted by the Sugar Bears, but he was only average in 2007. He did end up with 11 saves on the year, good enough for second on the team, but he also blew six of them. His 4.25 ERA was decent, but only fifth best in the Newark bullpen. Reyes is a longshot to be kept by the Sugar Bears.

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