[mikev]

Takahashi Extension, Draft Recap



Slightly under the radar in Crusader land was the extension signed by centerfielder Tagashashi Takahashi that will keep him with the Crusaders for 3 more seasons at a cost of $6.2 million per year.

Takahashi, a career .293/.345/.388 hitter, has been nothing short of fantastic in his 3 years with the Crusaders since being traded for Jeff Ladner. He's hit over .300 every year, stolen about 50 bags, and led the GUBA with 52 doubles in 2011. Currently on pace for yet another great season, and only 27 years old, the Crusaders are looking forward to having Takahashi at the top of the order for the future.

Oh hey, the draft came and went! You already know about Zorg, Ortiz, and Canseco, Tetreault, and Gonzo, so here's the rest of the draft quickly recapped:

R5 (175 overall) - MR Cary Lind - 2/3/3 talent, throws 95, possible future as a setup guy

R6 (211 overall) - SP Christian Leclerc - 2/2/3 talent, decent endurance, good GB ratio, possible back of the rotation guy at best

R7 (247 overall) - SS Jose Costa - 3/3/1/2/2 talent, fantastic defensive ratings at all 4 IF spots, possible bench player/defensive replacement one day

R8 (283 overall) - SP Matthew Brandon - 2/2/2 talent, has 2 first names, throws a knuckle-curve, needs bumps to play in the bigs

R9 (319 overall) - SS Francisco Rosales - 3/3/1/2/2 talent, good D at the middle infield positions, didn't we just draft this guy in R7?

R10 (355 overall) - MR Hector Sanchez - 3/1/3 talent, throws 90s, lefty, he could be nice if his movement bumps. Keeping an eye on him and crossing my fingers

R11 (391 overall) - SS Vicente Nieves - 2/3/2/3/2 talent, great D, how many freaking latin shortstops do I need in my organization?

R12 (427 overall) - C Jayson Todd - 2/3/2/2/2 talent, good defensive catcher, also 2 first names, please please please let him bump 6 or 7 times. I need a catcher. Bad.

R13 (463 overall) - SS Ruben Borquez - 2/3/1/2/2, awesome another Latin shortstop. Oh wait, this guy is from Minnesota. WTF?

R14 (499 overall) - MR Augusto Collazo - 2/3/3 talent, throws 92, this far down in the draft a guy that's 2/3/3 is a pretty good pick. We'll take it.

R15 (535 overall) - SS Patrick Robinson - 2/2/1/2/2 talent, I now have like 8 shortstops in rookie league. Thanks AI.

R16 (571 overall) - MR Tonito Ballena - 2/2/3 talent, throws hard, throws a splitter, basically has no redeeming qualities

R17 (607 overall) - 3B Takuro Sato - 2/1/1/2/1 talent, why the hell is the AI drafting infielders still?

R18 (643 overall) - CL Nelson Marroquin - 4/1/2 talent, holy **** a guy with 4 stuff and a 96 mph fastball in the 18th round? Sold.

R19 (679 overall) - MR Orlando Garcia - 2/2/3 talent, fastball-slider pitcher who throws 94 and is 18 years old. Not a bad 19th round pick

R20 (715 overall) - MR Blake "Blockhead" Mitchell - 2/2/3 talent, Knudlen has a theory that players with nicknames will be awesome. We'll put it to the test with Blockhead.