Pick 25.11 - 574th Overall

Antonio Alfonseca - FLA RP
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alfonan01.shtml

Here we are, at the 574th pick in the draft, and the guy who led all of Major League Baseball in saves in our kickoff year of 2000 is still available.  I am not going to complain.  Now don't get me wrong, Antonio Alfonseca will never be confused with Mariano Rivera, but it's not like the guy is complete garbage either.  Hell, he saved 45 games in 2000 in 49 chances.  He comes back in 2001 to save 28 games with a 3.06 ERA.  And in 2004, he has his best year statistically, compiling a 2.57 ERA in 74 innings for the Braves.  At this point in the draft, he is a complete steal in my estimation.  Plus the guy has six fingers on his throwing hand.  Gotta love that about him.



Alfonseca's acquisition also allows me to shakeup the bullpen a bit.  With El Pulpo manning the 9th inning, I can slot Kline and Hawkins into their more familiar roles as setup men.  Wendell, Osuna and Embree man the 6th and 7th.  If I can get my starters to the 6th then I like my chances.

Only five rounds left.  I still NEED a backup catcher for 70+ games, and a shortstop to play 25-30.  Pickings for both postions are very slim.  Out of necessity I will have to concentrate on those two areas coming up.