2011 NKFBL Mock Prospect Draft (9 Months Early)

By Brendan Hart

With the 2010 MLB draft underway I thought it would be interesting to see where some of the top prospects might land in next year’s NKFBL draft. Using the current standings and some projection for the rest of the way I made a very loose guess as to what may happen. Being a short 9 months away from the draft it’s hard to know what current minor leaguers will breakout and what Cubans the Rampage will find through Google. Nevertheless enjoy some light reading.



1) Anchormen - Bryce Harper OF, Nationals

If Stephen Strasberg is the most hyped prospect in the history of baseball, then Bryce Harper needs to be considered a close 2nd. The consensus number 1 pick in the MLB draft will also be the number 1 pick in the next NKFBL draft. The Anchormen, Rampage and Ballers will all be in the running for Harper and it should be interesting to see which teams lands him. The Rampage once traded for the Monsters pick in the hopes that it was a lock to be the number 1 pick….whomp.

2) Rampage – Manny Machado, SS, Orioles

The second pick in the draft will most likely be Machado or Taillon. Both the Rampage and Ballers could be selecting in this spot and could use a high upside offensive player. Arod comparisons have been tossed around in the weeks leading up to the draft but it seems more likely that he’ll be more of a threat for 20 to 25 hr’s. While he could take a long time to develop he certainly would be going to a team in position to wait.

3) Ballers – Jameson Taillon, SP, Pirates

Most white 6’7” pitchers are in the Pandas organization but it seems unlikely that Taillon will be around for when they pick. Coming off a very disappointing 2010 season, the Ballers will most likely jump at the chance to take a pitcher described as the complete package with three plus pitches and good makeup. Even with the need for offense it should be hard to pass him up. With Taillon, Matzek, Matusz and Wheeler the Ballers would seem primed to have a very good pitching staff in the future.

4) Pigeons – Christian Colon, SS, Royals

After a 4-2 start to the season the Pigeons have dropped three straight and look like they could be poised for a finish south of 500. For nine weeks the team has struggled to get production from a SS and can clearly use a long term solution at the position. Colon’s upside doesn’t match Machado’s but he is also likely to reach the majors sooner and is regarded as more of a safe bet. Outfielders Josh Sale and Michael Choice would also fit here.

5) Rampage (Monsters), Nick Castallanos 3B, Tigers

The Monsters currently lead the NL at 6-3 despite having the 5th worst breakdown. It’s hard to see that luck continuing despite the new addition of Stanton to the lineup. A regression to the mean should likely have the Monsters finishing towards the bottom of the NKFBL and leave the Rampage with a decent pick. While its likely Lester and Pearce will opt for a Cuban signed weeks before the draft they could certainly take a look at Castallanos. The new Tigers 3B is likely to hit for both power and average and seemingly has a clear path to the majors.

6) Brew Crew - Josh Sale, OF, Rays

Who would predict that The B could be drafting in the middle of round 1 in 2011? Despite being only 9 weeks into the 2010 season it is hard to see the Crew rebounding and making this year’s playoffs. If Brad chooses to trade some of his good (but older) stars at the deadline his team could finish in this spot. The Brew Crew have made it no secret that they favor high ceiling toolsy outfielders in the draft and Josh Sale would be yet another high upside one to join the farm system. Sale’s doesn’t have the tools of a Desmond Jennings or a Brett Jackson but he could show the power of Mike Stanton. Like Stanton there are a few concerns about whether he’ll make enough contact to show all the power he has. If he has a strong showing in 2010 look for him to rise up the 2011 draft board and possibly go in the top 3 or 4 picks.

7) Walnuts (Benders) – Michael Choice, OF, Athletics

The Benders are having exactly the type of season that the Walnuts hoped they wouldn’t have in 2010. Almost overnight the Benders have turned into a scary team to play week to week and a team that should only get better. Despite the good start the Benders probably finish with the 6th best record leaving the Walnuts with the 7th pick. Michael Choice seems like one of the biggest high risk high reward picks in next year’s draft due to his big power and questionable mechanics. If he figures things out Choice could turn into a 30 hr threat, while having the downside of turning into a career AAA player if he doesn’t.

8) Carbombs – Karsten Whitson, SP, Padres

It’s hard to predict how the Carbombs will finish the 2010 season. After 9 games they are still in the hunt and still have a lot of dangerous hitters that can get hot at any moment. Despite Tex having a huge second half the Carbombs just miss out on the playoffs and find themselves drafting 8th in the first round. Carrying one of the weaker pitching staffs into the 2011 season the Carbombs may opt to draft a pitcher. This year’s MLB draft seems to have a strong group of high school pitchers and Karten is regarded as one of the best in that group. A projectionable pitcher with good mechanics and plus pitches could move fast and have a great future pitching in Petco.

9) Walnuts – Jake Scole, OF, Rangers

The Walnuts fade faster than the 2007 & 2008 Mets in the second half of the 2010 NKFBL season but sneak into the playoffs due to a hot start. The playoffs turn into a repeat of last year and the Walnuts finish 4th for a second straight year. With the second pick of the first round the Nuts again go with an outfielder and get roped in by the “five tool” potential. The Grady Sizemore comparison probably would have sounded a little better a year ago huh?

10) Bombers - Zach Cox, 3B, Cardinals

The Bombers finish strong in 2010 and make a return appearance to the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Bombers they get unlucky and lose which leads to a massive Uustal rant and broken things throughout his apartment. Nevertheless the stacked Bombers draft 10th in 2011 and look for a long term solution at 3B to succeed Arod. While it seems unlikely that Cox will sign with the Cardinals it seems likely that he will be a first or second round selection if he does choose to turn pro.

11) Rampage (Pandas) - Yasmani Grandal, C, Reds

Jayson Werth and his Jesus beard lead the Pandas deeper than expected in the playoffs and just short of a second championship. The strong showing by the Pandas leaves the Rampage with a late first round selection. For their third first round pick in 2011 the Rampage could net choose to net a highly touted Cuban such as Yasmani Grandal. While the Rampage seem obsessed with mediocre catchers they could look for the long term solution and grab a player that should hit for both average and power.

12) Quahogs – AJ Cole, SP, Nationals

The Quahogs put things together in 2010 and get extremely hot to end the season. The addition of Lester and some deadline deals help the Hogs get into the playoffs and take home their first championship. Stocked with young hitters in the majors and minors, the team opts to grab a high upside pitcher like AJ Cole to round out the first round of the prospect draft. While Cole fell in the MLB draft he still has a ton of talent and ability. In a few years he could slot behind Strasberg in the Nationals rotation to form a dangerous 1-2 combination.

A Few Other names that could go in the Top 3 Rounds:
-Dylan Covey, SP, Brewers
-Matt Harvey, SP, Mets
-Christian Yelich, 1B, Marlins
-Tyrell Jenkins, SP Cardinals
-Kolbrin Vitek, 2B, Red Sox