Who needs prospects when you have an All Star team? Knapp’s team holds the distinction of being the only team in the NKFBL to never graduate a prospect. Instead he’s used his picks and prospects in trades to acquire many of the best players in the MLB (mostly hitters). It’s hard to fault this strategy when it’s resulted in 2 divisional titles and 2 championships in the last three years.
Not graduating prospects doesn’t mean that Knapp hasn’t drafted well. In 2007 he selected a group of very recognizable names: Evan Longoria, Matt Garza, Joba Chamberlin and Kyle Drabek. A year later he took top prospect Desmond Jennings, and in this past draft he took high upside teenagers like Yorman Rodriguez, Dellin Betances and Angel Morales. After all the trades by the Carbombs some upside players remain, but overall the farm system still ranks as one of the weaker in the league. The team will look to add some new faces in the upcoming draft with five picks.
Despite a weak farm system will Knapp be able to stay on top? The answer in the short term is most likely yes. Many of his star players (Mauer, Teixeira, ARod, Holliday) are relatively young and still have good seasons ahead of them. Some of his players (Dye, Ortiz and Soriano) have regressed slightly and are likely near their last few years of being productive. With the king of lopsided trades Conor Hartnett out of the league, will Knapp find another team to raid for young talent?
Top 5 Prospects:
1. Kyle Drabek SP TOR
2. Yorman Rodriguez OF CIN
3. Dellin Betances SP NYY
4. Angel Morales OF MIN
5. Kasey Kiker SP TEX
Top 5 Graduated Prospects:
1. None
2. None
3. None
4. None
5. None
you are telling me having yorman alone isn't enough to make me a top 3 farm....
ReplyDeletehaha im amazed i dont even have the worst farm