Rnd 1 (15) – Eddie Henderson, CF, Cross Rds HS (TX)
- Henderson has great potential as your prototypical centerfielder – he puts the bat on the ball, good batting eye, great range/fielding and decent speed and baserunning. Injuries are a big worry and it would be nice to get a little pop from the bat of the 15th overall pick. Held out briefly before signing on and being assigned to LoA…where he’s just coming off an injury. Ugh.
Rnd 2 (60) – Hub McNamara, DH, Marist College
- A monster at the plate, McNamara was ranking 9th by the DHD scouts heading into the draft. Biggest concern heading into the draft was signability, and after a short holdout, Hub signed and is currently raking rookie league pitching. This will be seen as a big-time value pick in three seasons when Hub is crushing ML pitching.
Rnd 3 (92) – John Jones, CF, Nathan Hale-Ray HS (CT)
- Although Jones is a decent CF prospect, the Honolulu scouting department gets a big punch in the nuts on this one as Jones was drafted as a 2B on draft day…despite being left-handed! That prompted 1st round pick Henderson’s assignment to A-ball so both could get playing time. Jones has potential as an incredible defensive player who will hit well versus right-handers. He should make The Show with some team based on fielding ability alone.
Rnd 4 (124) – Paul Chen, 1B, Oklahoma St.
- If the scouts missed on Jones in the 3rd, they made up for it with Chen in the 4th. Paul brings a good current and potential bat to the mix and already is making the most of a quick promotion to A-ball. Definitely should find his way onto an ML roster and possibly a starting role someday.
Rnd 5 (156) – Sal Gibbs, RF, Valparaiso
- Another college hitter with a big bat, Gibbs has torn up rookie league pitching to date. If he meets his potential Gibbs could easily be a starting rightfielder in the league and mash for some big numbers. Another good value pick in the 5th despite being born in a fictional town.
Overall, Honolulu signed 19 of their total 25 draft picks, many of whom are playing well at the rookie level but the rest will be longshots to get past AA and AAA.
DHD management is split on the success of this season’s draft results. Some solid position prospects were nabbed but the organization whiffed on pitching in what turned out to be probably the deepest draft for it. Even landing one future ML pitcher would’ve made this one a success. Four future major leaguers and another borderline player (Jones) isn’t bad, but this organization’s depth is in the field and some pitching would’ve really addressed a need. Weighing the good and the bad, we have to give the Season 8 amateur draft a C.
