Call to the pen
Fansided

Flashback to the 2011 ESPN MLB Franchise Draft to Review Picks

By Bobby Mueller

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a two-run homerun in the ninth inning during the MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Rays defeated the Angels 5-3. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a two-run homerun in the ninth inning during the MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Rays defeated the Angels 5-3. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 34
Next
mlb franchise draft
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 22: Infielder Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies throws over the sliding Gerardo Parra #8 of the Arizona Diamondbacks attempting an unsuccessful double play during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on July 22, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

#1. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies (picked by Karl Ravech)

Age: 26, MLB: 6th season

Before the draft chat got going, this question was asked: “Which would you rather draft with the No. 1 overall pick?”

The results from chat observers:

69%–All-Star position player
31%–No. 1 starting pitcher

A few names thrown out by fans following along at home were Felix Hernandez, Joey Votto, Andrew McCutchen and Robinson Cano. Jim Bowden was a frequent commenter. He said he would take a proven number one starter in this type of draft. Karl Ravech, with the first overall pick, took Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

About his pick, Ravech said taking Tulowitzki with the first pick was a no-brainer. Tulowitzki was young and incredibly productive for a shortstop and, in Ravech’s view, only going to get better. There was plenty of agreement with this pick. Jim Bowden said, “Tulo was #1 on my board. Can hit, hit for power, range to both sides plus arm . . . make up, character and leadership off the board.”

After the pick, this chat poll question was asked: “Do you agree with Karl that Troy Tulowitzki was the right choice at No.1?”

55%–Yes
45%–No

Dan Szymborki had 5-year ZiPS projections for most picks, along with a comment. About this pick, he mentioned that Tulowitzki hits like a star first baseman but plays Gold Glove defense at shortstop.

ZiPS 5-year projected WAR: 26.4
ZiPs 5-year actual WAR: 17.4 (Baseball-Reference)

What happened: At the time of this draft, Tulowitzki had been a 6 to 7 WAR player in three of the previous four seasons and was on his way to another 6 WAR season in 2011. To reach his five-year WAR projection, Tulo would need to average 5.3 WAR per season for five seasons. He had two seasons in that range, but injuries limited him to 47 games in 2012 and 91 games in 2014.

Tulowitzki was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2015 season and hasn’t come close to his previous level of play since. He played 66 games last year and hasn’t played at all this year. Of the 30 players taken in the Franchise Player Draft, Tulowitzki ranked 15th in five-year WAR post draft.

Home/MLB News