2014 Final Tournament 1st Round Mock-Draft
8/13/15
by Trent Steffes
1. Snappers: P Zach Bussmann
The first overall pick in the draft should be a no-brainer. Bussmann is the best player in the draft pool. He is batting .350 this year with 1 home run and 6 RBI's. His pitching is scond to none in the MNWA. He boats a 1.33 ERA with a mere .667 WHIP. Kevin Knutson, the manager, can pitch, but if Knutson wants to take winning seriously, Bussmann should be pitching all his games on Saturday.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: He can't be drafted higher.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: There is no reason he should be drafted lower.
2. RedHawks: LF Garrett Grage
The reason for this pick is finding the right fit for the right manager. Newell is a work-horse of a pitcher, so he doesn't need someone to take over all the pitching duties. While Garrett can pitch, with 15 K this season, this pick is used to fill Newell's need of a speedy fielder who can hit. Garrett is batting .222 in MNWA play with an OBP of .396, and had a .250 average at the NWLA Tournament.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: Garrett is a great teammate, is passionate about wiffleball, and will give 100% throughout the tournament.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: Garrett is not as clutch as he should be and has a knack of striking out.
3. Elites: LF Bryce Paulson
Again, this pick is made via best fit. If this pick is made solely based on talent, Trent Steffes should be the guy picked #3. However, history has shown that Trent and his brother, Elites manager Auston Steffes, playing together does not go smoothly. So in this spot, Auston should draft his complement: a speedy outfielder who can hit. His complement is Bryce Paulson. Bryce is hitting .308 with a HR and a .424 OBP. Bryce has also shown that he can get the job done against some of the league's best pitchers. Adding to the fit, these two have very good chemistry together.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: Bryce's play against the great pitchers in this league.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: Bryce is not a rock in the field. He is a decent fielder, but not elite.
4. Dragons: RF Trent Steffes
Devin Nelson, Dragons manager, is sitting pretty for this draft. Himself, he is either considered the best, or second best player in the league. In his drafting position, he will be picking fourth and fifth in this draft, and he should be able to get Top-3 value with his fourth pick. Trent Steffes would be a good pick here. He is among the MNWA best in hitting, with a .346 average with 3 Home Runs, 10 RBI's and .528 On-Base Percentage. These numbers should constitute a Top-3 pick, but those picks are probably going to be made considering best fit, of which Trent does not fit in with either the RedHawks nor the Elites.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: His hitting is top notch in the MNWA.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: He most likely will not take the role of a starting pitcher in this tournament, and has not fielded full-time in a long time. Could be rusty
by Trent Steffes
1. Snappers: P Zach Bussmann
The first overall pick in the draft should be a no-brainer. Bussmann is the best player in the draft pool. He is batting .350 this year with 1 home run and 6 RBI's. His pitching is scond to none in the MNWA. He boats a 1.33 ERA with a mere .667 WHIP. Kevin Knutson, the manager, can pitch, but if Knutson wants to take winning seriously, Bussmann should be pitching all his games on Saturday.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: He can't be drafted higher.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: There is no reason he should be drafted lower.
2. RedHawks: LF Garrett Grage
The reason for this pick is finding the right fit for the right manager. Newell is a work-horse of a pitcher, so he doesn't need someone to take over all the pitching duties. While Garrett can pitch, with 15 K this season, this pick is used to fill Newell's need of a speedy fielder who can hit. Garrett is batting .222 in MNWA play with an OBP of .396, and had a .250 average at the NWLA Tournament.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: Garrett is a great teammate, is passionate about wiffleball, and will give 100% throughout the tournament.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: Garrett is not as clutch as he should be and has a knack of striking out.
3. Elites: LF Bryce Paulson
Again, this pick is made via best fit. If this pick is made solely based on talent, Trent Steffes should be the guy picked #3. However, history has shown that Trent and his brother, Elites manager Auston Steffes, playing together does not go smoothly. So in this spot, Auston should draft his complement: a speedy outfielder who can hit. His complement is Bryce Paulson. Bryce is hitting .308 with a HR and a .424 OBP. Bryce has also shown that he can get the job done against some of the league's best pitchers. Adding to the fit, these two have very good chemistry together.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: Bryce's play against the great pitchers in this league.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: Bryce is not a rock in the field. He is a decent fielder, but not elite.
4. Dragons: RF Trent Steffes
Devin Nelson, Dragons manager, is sitting pretty for this draft. Himself, he is either considered the best, or second best player in the league. In his drafting position, he will be picking fourth and fifth in this draft, and he should be able to get Top-3 value with his fourth pick. Trent Steffes would be a good pick here. He is among the MNWA best in hitting, with a .346 average with 3 Home Runs, 10 RBI's and .528 On-Base Percentage. These numbers should constitute a Top-3 pick, but those picks are probably going to be made considering best fit, of which Trent does not fit in with either the RedHawks nor the Elites.
Reason to be Drafted Higher: His hitting is top notch in the MNWA.
Reason to be Drafted Lower: He most likely will not take the role of a starting pitcher in this tournament, and has not fielded full-time in a long time. Could be rusty