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2004 Draft Analysis - Two Years Later

This is a subjective analysis of the 2004 CIBL draft after two years. There was a deep pool of talent available, especially in the first round, although it thinned out considerably in the later rounds.

This draft could also be known as Greg Dafler's "Orkin draft," as it turned out to be a "Scorpion killer." Even without a first round choice, Dafler made so many good selections for his Cincinnati Vipers squad that the aftereffect two years later may push AL East rival Tempe Scorpions into serious rebuilding mode. The Vipers 2004 draft may rank as one of the most productive in CIBL history.

Click here to see all of the draft picks.

Round one

The best picks:

The top ten picks have all been solid choices ... not a single bad pick in the bunch. There was much debate prior to this draft as to whether Mark Teixeira (Hysteria) or Miguel Cabrera (Irish) should be the #1 choice. Two years later, it's a moot point ... they are both already superstars.

The Synthesis took shortstop Jose Reyes with the third pick before a flurry of pitchers were drafted. Brandon Webb (Sidewinders), Rich Harden (Synthesis), Jerome Williams (Boulders) and Dontrelle Willis (Drillers). Only Williams has yet to live up to expectations, but the potential is still there now that he's changed big league organizations ... he just needs to spend less time gorging himself at luaus in his native Hawaii in the off-season.

The Yanks (now Phobics) followed by taking Rocco Baldelli #8, the Blues grabbed pitcher Jeremy Bonderman, and the Synthesis selected Rickie Weeks (since traded) at #10.

The best selection the rest of the way was the Synthesis' choice of Jason Bay at #19 with their fourth of five picks in round one.

Other good picks included the Beasts ignoring his past failures of Jose Guillen and the Hens' choice of Bobby Crosby at #17. By ignoring youth, the Pinnipeds and Scorpions got decent players at #15 and #16 in Hideki Matsui and Jose Contreras, respectably.

The not so good picks:

Nearly every owner was high on Dodgers' pitcher Edwin Jackson, but the #11 choice has regressed significantly since then; the good part is that he's still young and healthy. Jeremi Gonzalez was a nice "needs" pick with the next to last pick of the round, but he really didn't help the Sidewinders that year and has disappeared into baseball oblivion since that one good season.

Round two

The best picks:

The Vipers started their run on the table with the selection of pitcher Dan Haren with the 19th choice. The Beasts grabbed Joe Nathan at #17 and then watched him turn into one of the best closers in the American League. Khalil Greene (Anarchists) and David DeJesus (Synthesis) should be big league regulars for some time. Neal Cotts, taken by the Beasts with the 12th choice, will be one of the premier left-handed relievers this year.

The not so good picks:

Where shall I start? So many of the heralded pitchers taken in the first half of this round have underachieved, namely Jimmy Gobble, Matt Riley (TJ surgery), Ryan Wagner and Oscar Villarreal (mostly due to injury). Robby Hammock hasn't been a factor since his rookie season due to injuries.

Round three

The best picks:

The Vipers were at it again, picking up future slugger Chase Utley late in the round. The Hegelians grabbed Justin Duchscherer with the very next pick. The Sidewinders picked up a valuable super-utility guy in Chone Figgins early in the round. Juan Rincon (Force) has been an effective reliever in Minnesota. Claudio Vargas (Yanks) showed signs of being a productive starter after landing with the Diamondbacks in '05.

The not so good picks:

The Hysteria got a little carried away with drafting Texas Ranger players in each round; in hindsight, they took Ramon Nivar higher than he deserved being picked. Like the previous one, this round is littered with pitchers who haven't done anything at all in the big leagues since then: Doug Waechter, Jason Stanford, Javier Lopez, Tim Spooneybarger, Chad Gaudin, Darren Dreifort, Aquilino Lopez, to name just a few.

Round four

The best picks:

The first half of round four was extremely productive. The best pick was the Synthesis' selection of Chad Cordero. Other productive players selected were Joaquin Benoit (Hysteria), Scott Linebrink (Sidewinders), Brady Clark (Drillers), Bill Hall (Blues), Craig Monroe (Commuters - since traded to Scorpions), Danny Kolb (Yanks/Phobics), Aaron Rowand (Anarchists) and Jason Marquis (Vipers).

Round five

The best picks:

Another decent round --- the Commuters grabbed southpaw Chris Capuano, the Blues tabbed Lew Ford, the Boulders took Dan Wheeler, the Pinnipeds selected Bronson Arroyo, and the Scorpions picked Dustin Hermansen.

Round six

The best picks:

Dafler continued his Viper hot streak by taking Jhonny Peralta near the end of the round; he'd be a bona fide first rounder if just coming into the draft now. The Sidewinders, who have unearthed many gems in round six, picked up a productive reliever in Ryan Madson. The Anarchists also added a productive bullpen guy in Kiko Calera. Garrett Atkins was a good pickup by the Yanks/Phobics in this round.

Round seven

The best picks:

The HiSox stashed away Derrick Turnbow from this draft, and he finally fulfilled his potential in '05. The only other keeper from round seven is the Kangaroos' Ryan Freel.

Round eight

The best picks:

Only a few teams got anything of long-term value from this round except for --- guess who! --- the Vipers, taking unheralded southpaw Noah Lowry. The Kangaroos have gotten a few good years out of well-traveled Kent Mercker. The Drillers' choice, Drew Henson, turned out to be a decent backup quarterback (oops, wrong sport!).

Round nine

The best picks:

Weak ... very weak. David Bell (DiamondSox/Peanuts) and D.J. Carrasco (Pinnipeds) have at least provided a little value to their respective teams.

Round ten

The best picks:

Another weak round. The Sidewinders grabbed a serviceable catcher in Gregg Zaun, who has had a nice late career surge.

Supplemental rounds

The best picks:

Robb Quinlan gave the Blues one good part-time season, but otherwise nothing of value came out of the late, late round.

Analysis by Bill Mitchell