Belatedly, the AL North.

Portland took:
1. Joel Baker RF
2.Hector Wood 2B
3.Daryle Smith SP
4.Trot Miller P Unsigned
5.Vern Young RP

New Britian took:
1. Paul Xavier 1B
2.Al Garcia 2B
3.Tanner Long LF
4.Rollie Swan 3B
5.Alan Aldridge DH

Detroit took:
1. Willie Rigdon 2B
1.Rey Garland 3B
2.Ronald Phelps SS
2.Stevie Moore RP
3.Ken Anderson LF
4. Delanor Enders RF
5.Valerio Moya P Unsigned

Minnesota took:
1. Cory Lee SP
2. Steve Reitz 2B
3.Hamish O'brien P
4.Tex Demaree SP
5.Roy Paul P Unsigned.

This division's draft was characterized by solid, if unspectacular picks, and no 1st round screw-ups.


Portland obtained an oustanding future lead-off hitter in 1st round Baker, but his second round pick Wood may have future health problems (21 Health rating?!?). Then a group of pitchers that rate career MILB, but with big workloads. Grade is, regrettably, C-, as his 2nd rounder will probably never make it.

New Britian had a solid mistake free draft. His 1-2-3 picks all rate to make the show someday at some level. His 1st round pick 1B will likely be a superb run producer at the ML level some day. Grade B.

Detroit had some extra picks in the early rounds, and naturally managed to get some very good talent for them. Unfortunately, his superlative 1st round 2B Rigdon has taken a (purely unlucky) Major DL hit. (That is however, independant of his draft grade, as the guy's health hardly indicates the likelyhood of such a big DL hit.) A nice balance of IF's, OF's, and a RP likely to contribute some day. Grade A-.

Minnesota wanted pitching, at least I hope he did, he got 5 pitchers in 5 rounds, and pitching arrived in the draft for him. His 1st round pick rates one of the better pitchers taken in the AL side of the draft, and his 2nd-3rd pitchers are no stiffs either. From his point of view, probably an A+ draft, by the standards of NQ II, B+.