Not as colorful as Mr. Mazin's thoughts, but
nevertheless, here you go: draft observations and 
predictions from the man who called the winner last year!

Note that I wrote this before reading Andy's essay. But our
predictions are very similar.

Except for where we put the Mazins.
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Some draft observations:

1. Whenever anyone takes a long time to pick it is somebody
   else's fault. Finger pointing remains our number 1 excuse.
   The real lesson we all learned in kindergarten.

2. Fifteen outfielders taken in the first thirty picks. 
   Screw the position scarcity theory, give us multi-category
   studs.

3. Twenty-three of last thirty-two picks are pitchers or 
   catchers. Hard to tell the difference among them at that
   point, isn't it.

4. Third base was a "weak" position but also provided a lot
   of rookie "gambles": Burroughs, Ensburg (taken at OF by Gabes),
   Hinske, and Blalock (Andy's UT).

5. Undrafted potential hall of famers? Barry Larkin? Jose Canseco?
   Mark McGwire.

6. A mini-1st/3rd run occured in Round 5. Five corner guys in eight
   picks.

7. The expected closer run never really materialized, although
   six closers were taken in rounds 7 and 8 combined.

8. A pitching run developed towards the end of round 12 that 
   continued into round 14, with 18 of 22 picks being pitchers.
   That more or less wiped out the "2nd tier" starters and the rest
   of the "sure-thing" relievers.

9. There are more stars in the NL?

    - 5 of first 6 picks are NL
    - 9 of next 14 picks are NL
    - 5 of next 7 picks are NL

10. In the first 204 picks we chose just one player from Baltimore
    (Cordova at pick #170). Ouch. Sorry Ike. We did take 5 more
    between picks 205 and 231.


And predictions:

Sobo  - Nice picks early. Pitching choices very questionable.
        Middle division.

Willo - Great picks here and there. Terrible picks here and there.
        Koskie mistake might turn golden.
        Middle division.

Terry - Hmm. I think its too many stretches and what-ifs.
        Lower division.

Hans  - Great first half but then cooled off. 
        Upper division.

John  - Solid, by the book. But the book has an unhappy ending.
        Lower division.

Jack  - Very good draft. Power might be a little weak.
        Upper division.

Prep  - Not sure the pitching is worth the draft slots it used up.
        Lower division.

Gabes - This man likes to gamble. Too much. Too many high risk/
        high reward players ... they can't all pay off.
        Middle to Lower division.

Fox   - Strong 2/3rds of a draft but then lost focus ... solid
        offensive balance; we'll see how the "cheap" pitching
        fares.
        Champ.

Al/An - I like the OFs they picked up cheap. Hate to say it but
        this looks like a contenda.
        Upper division.

Andy  - Looks good but too many players make me uncomfortable
        considering where they were picked.
        Middle division.

Mags  - The old speed/pitching approach. Surprisingly, this can
        carry you far, but not to the pennant.
        Middle division.

Ike   - Not bad. Not bad. Not good. Not good.
        Lower to Middle division.

That's all I wrote.