The volume of e-mails I'm getting is pretty extensive. I just wanted to remind you all that I do read every message, even if I can't respond to all of them or use them for the mailbag.
Let's get started.
Dan B. writes: I would like your opinion on signing foreign players. Do you think they will be included in the draft? Should they be included in the draft? What would the implications be? I am not a believer in the "small market/big market, etc" rhetoric that is spewed upon the public by the Commissioner, but I think that a worldwide draft would prevent teams like the Yankees from throwing money at every Cuban prospect.
The issue of a worldwide draft will come up in the labor negotiations this fall and winter. The rumors are that the players union, normally locked to free-market principles like a teenage boy to a porno magazine, is open to the idea of a worldwide draft, or some other method of limiting the signing bonuses of amateur players. The union leadership, probably reacting to the opinions of the rank-and-file, is supposedly concerned about unproven amateurs drawing more and more money that could go to their own membership instead. I have no inside information about this, but it wouldn't surprise me at all. The MLBPA usually hangs the minor leaguers and amateurs out to dry when push comes to shove. So I do expect that some changes, possibly drastic, will be coming to the draft process.
Do I believe that such changes would be beneficial and/or justified? This gets into economics and political philosophy I guess. I tend to be pro-union and slightly to the left in my general economic sentiments outside of baseball, but I admit that I'm frequently annoyed with the MLBPA's militancy. At the same time, I'm hardly pro-owner, either, and much of the "small market" stuff is just rhetoric and posturing, as you point out. A part of me would like to ship Bud Selig and Don Fehr off to Indonesia for a nice year-long stint of 16-hour days in a factory sweatshop, for some "perspective building." No one in baseball knows the true meaning of "economic crisis."
If it was up to me, I'd probably open the draft up to players from other countries, yes. I'd like to see the Twins and the Royals have a shot at the best players from Cuba or the Dominican Republic. There's a risk that some teams will get lazy I suppose, but in the long run lazy teams won't succeed, even with a worldwide draft. Scouting would remain paramount, and I expect that the vast majority of foreign players would still sign as free agents.
I would also make draft picks tradable, and I think I'd limit the draft to 40 rounds (it's currently 50). That would prevent someone from drafting 300 players from all around the world and locking up their signing rights for a year. But I wouldn't enforce a "bonus cap," and I don't like the idea being floated of only drafting high school or college seniors.
Brian S. asks: Can you tell me what plans the Reds have for Brady Clark. I played with him for three years at The University of San Diego, and it seems like he will never get a shot with the Reds. Even with his minor-league accolades, the Reds would rather let the most overrated player in history, Deion Sanders, play on a regular basis. He needs to get dealt so Clark can have a chance to play.
Since Brian asked his question, Neon Deion has been cut. He's now taking his "Look Great While Playing Lousy" act to Toronto, where he'll try to steal playing time away from other superior players.
As for Brady Clark, Deion's departure does open up a bit more playing time for him, and so far he is taking advantage of it. Clark is an excellent reserve outfielder: he gets on base, runs well, has some pop, and handles defensive chores quite well. His main problem has been age: he's 28 and just now getting a chance to play, but he's been ready for a couple of years. If they give him enough time to get settled in, I think Clark will become one of the best backup outfielders in the National League.
Jeremy D. writes: I am trying to understand why Brandon Duckworth never gets recognized as a top prospect for the Phillies. He has been dominant the last few years yet never gets any recognition. Is there something I don't know?
Well, the basic problem for Duckworth is the fact that he doesn't have a blazing fastball. Or at least he didn't when he signed.
He's pitching great this year: 9-2, 2.70 in 15 Triple-A starts, with an excellent 104/25 K/BB ratio. When he signed as a free agent out of Cal State Fullerton, he threw just 87 mph. But over the last two years, his velocity has increased. He can hit 94 mph at times now, but pitches comfortably at 90. Since his other pitches are sharp, and his control is excellent, he's mastered the high minors. I think he's a fine prospect, but he still has to fight his reputation as a "soft tosser," even though he doesn't quite deserve it anymore.
Personally, I think Duckworth is going to do quite well over the next few years. He's past the injury gauntlet that pitchers must run in their early 20s, and he's proven he can handle every other level of professional ball. His control is great, he's got enough stuff to make it, and there are no holes in his numbers.
Jeremy Z. asks: Red Sox nation seems to be afraid that Dan Duquette has made another Dennis Tankersley for Ed Sprague or (gasp) Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen trade with this Justin Duchscherer for Doug Mirabelli swap. Now, I see in Duchscherer a Double-A pitcher without much potential, since he can't get his fastball even into the high 80s. What do you think?
Well, I love Duchscherer's K/BB ratios, and I've had him on my list of sleepers since last year. But you're right about his velocity. As a guy who doesn't throw hard, there's a significant risk that he'll hit the wall each time he's promoted to a higher level. We need to see what he does in Triple-A and in the majors. I wouldn't be surprised if he put in a good year or two eventually, probably as a middle man, but I don't think this is going to bite the Red Sox as badly as the Bagwell trade did or the Tankersley trade will.
John Sickels is the author of the 2001 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com, or you can visit his homepage at hometown.aol.com/jasickels/page1.html.
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