Draft strategies need refinement
I decided to examine the first round of 10 drafts for each class of pitcher: 1989 through 1998 for high school pitchers, 1992 through 2001 for college pitchers. Why stagger the ranges of years? Because I wanted to compare roughly the same ages, and college pitchers are typically three years older, when drafted, than high school pitchers. Next, I entered each pitcher's major league wins, innings, earned runs, and career Win Shares (a measure of quality that adjusts for the differences in leagues and ballparks, and gives a bit of extra credit for saves).
Again, this is just the first round, but I stopped there because 1) that's where so much of the money is spent, and 2) going much deeper would have meant a few more days of data entry.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE MLB HEADLINES
- Francona expects emotional Fenway return
- Elbow setback costs D-backs' Eaton 3 weeks
- Nats' closer calls out Harper's OF positioning
- Rangers release veteran Lowe, sign Teahen
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
ALSO SEE
- MLB Draft: NL Central targets
- Bowden: Indians should be sellers
- Szymborski: Best in-house upgrades
- Lindbergh: O's even better in 2013
- Law: Diagnosing Hosmer, Moustakas' woes
