Analyzing: Post-draft free agents
The MLR Draft is a crapshoot.
There, I said it. This is okay, however, because I still love the draft. It is my favorite thing in fake baseball to cover, the most exciting week of the season. Yes, a lot of it can be random, but if a team plays their cards right, a lot can go well. And, if a team ends up striking gold, a good story may form.
Chad Barrett of the Washington Nationals had a stunning freshman season upon being picked last in the Inaugural Draft. Though his sophomore season has left little to be desired, Barrett headlined 2017 as a story against adversity, the ultimate darkhorse looked over by the entire league twelve times over.
Sure enough, the Expansion Draft saw a similar story. The 142nd pick saw Logen Ninefingers, an Asian-American outfielder with a digit short on one of his hands, drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He would later become a starter for the National League All-Star team.
There are stories further than that, however. These are stories that go further than the final pick of the draft, to a place where no one suspected value. A few post-draft free agents have caused some ripples, and established everyday careers on their respective teams.
Moog Muffesser and the Case of the Missing Shortstop
J.A. Bird walked up to the podium. It was his third pick of the evening, the last one he possessed. As the eyes looked on to him, expecting him to draft one of the few remaining shortstops, he instead said a different name: "Outfield, Fly Spaceman."
Moog Muffesser wasn't much of a name in the fake baseball scene. He had tried to get his name out there as a reddit-only, passing out brochures, but no one knew his name as the draft reached its second day. Here was Bird, however, a free agent shortstop needed in order to compete out of the gate.
Muffesser didn't want it to happen, but the draft drew on...
and on...
and on...
And sure enough, it was over. He had not been picked, but immediately was approached by a giddy J.A. Bird.
"I told him I had a lot of use for him," I said. "I considered him a steal."
The Ross Fire heir-apparent has begun to put it together, with recent performances that have increased his promise. His speed is eye-catching, but he is still working on his approach at the plate. He is trucking on the Phillies currently, sharing a spot with Jake Wilson.
Statline: .273/.273/.364, 3 H, 1 double, 2 RBI, -0.439 WAR
Shoes to Fill: Haroldo MacKenzie and the Retiring of Twinkie Power
Twinkie Power was a mainstay in the Twins clubhouse from the time his name was read as a first overall pick. Haroldo MacKenzie's path was different. His name was not read at all, with his time coming from a special invitation by the Twins general manager. He went from unknown free agent to off-the-bench catcher in a matter of hours, making his debut in Session 1.
This was short-lived, however. As the season midpoint hit, it was revealed that Power had hung up the cleats. MacKenzie, who was quietly succeeding for the Twins, was thrust into the spotlight. He was an unsigned free agent turned starter.
MacKenzie hasn't handled the spotlight as well as others. He's faced a suspension for his occasional tactless speech. He has also shown devotion to his team, however, making him one of the most interesting players currently in the MLR, with stats to back it up.
MacKenzie has shown pop in his young career, which may be seen more as his playing time increases, but he's not known as a slugger. He possesses a good eye and shouldn't strike out much.
Statline: .300/.364/.600, 3 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, -0.139 WAR
Nothing to Everything, and the Sudden Rise of Dakota Carolina Montana
Not much can be said about Dakota Carolina Montana. His name is whispered amongst the best in Major League Redditball, but at a time, he was an unknown prospect lost in a sea of similar forgotten players. Many people don't know the origins of the possible future MVP.
Montana has thrived by his uninterrupted playing time, the only other primary 1B in Houston being the relatively inactive Fat Batter. His dominant hitting quickly earned him a spot in the American League All-Star team, his name all over the big MLR podcasts.
Montana has the ability to hit for average and for the occasional XBH, due to surprising speed not often found in first basemen. His lack of power has been seen as his only crutch, but he has more than made up for it in Houston.
Dakota Carolina Montana is the only one of the three who has already been running for a while now, and that shouldn't stop anytime soon.
Statline: .636/.667/.955, 14 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1.095 WAR