SB Nation's Mock MLS SuperDraft: My Picks
by Geoff Gibson on Jan 8, 2012 6:37 PM PST
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PrintIn case you're not a regular visitor to the SBNation Soccer hub, today we held our annual mock MLS SuperDraft wherein each one of us blog managers takes on the role of our respective club's General Manager/Head Coach and picks in the same order as they would. It's quite fun, even though I'm usually wrong (2011 mock SuperDraft).
In any case, for my two picks I chose central defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste for the 8th pick and Aldo Panaigua for the 27th pick. Here's why:
Andrew Jean-Baptiste
When my 8th pick rolled around I was actually in a bit of a conundrum as both of my top choices were still available: Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Matt Hedges. Both of whom are big central defenders who are considered to be MLS ready. My reason for going with Jean-Baptiste over Hedges, despite not being regarded as highly, is two fold. First, Jean-Baptiste is a Generation Adidas player whereas Hedges is not. Having the extra cap room along with a solid center back to develop was a top priority with my first selection. Second, Hedges did not have a great first day at the combine and I was a little worried how the added stress of the professionals would wear on him.
Aldo Paniagua
With my second choice I ended up going after a relative unknown in international Aldo Paniagua, despite being well aware of the Timbers current lack of international roster spots. After a break out first combine match I came away very impressed with the young (22) attacking midfielder. Additionally, after some brief research I found that, despite being a midfielder, he has a certain penchant for the net. He scored in his first combine game, but he also scored in his last club game in Paraguay so clearly there's some consistent talent there. With a bit of work I think he could eventually be a nice back-up or replacement for Diego Chara should the need ever arise.
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So those are my picks. Keep in mind I couldn't have just picked whoever I wanted as other teams got to pick first. Feel free to check out what the other teams took and criticize my picks accordingly. I promise I won't take it too harshly.
The entire SBNation Soccer list with explanations and commentary is supposed to be live tomorrow. We'll make sure to update with a smidge of extra commentary tomorrow when that happens.
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Thanks for posting the mock draft. I’ve been looking at others around the web and watching the mlssoccer.com commentary to keep up. It’s a bit addicting. So, as a result, I had to react to yours. You guys would seem to make a fair bunch of GMs. Most of the first round picks are within a couple of slots of where other drafts have them. But there is one major exception. I don’t think there’s any way that Enzo Martinez drops to 13. He will almost certainly be a top-five pick, and I think if we were able to get him without even trading up, Gavin and John would giggle at their coup all the way home. Nice work on Mosquera, by the way. I looked him up with hopeful suspicion when I saw a Columbian defender had signed with MLS. That one would seem a solid 99%. Hopefully it’s made official soon.
by oddcontemplation on Jan 8, 2012 7:54 PM PST reply actions
If the rumors are true, he'll be a Columbian soon enough.
I hope I never tire of that pun.
When I write, I write for the Timbers. Contributing Editor of Stumptown Footy
by Andrew Wheeler on Jan 8, 2012 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
see.. no deficiency of spelling.. it was a freudian slip. excellent.
by oddcontemplation on Jan 8, 2012 9:57 PM PST reply actions
Hey everyone
cool read here I am a newer soccer fan the Timbers turned me into one this year games are crazy awesome.
Check out my Cycling blog http://cyclebee.blogspot.com/
by Athletic on Jan 9, 2012 6:41 AM PST via Android app reply actions
Welcome aboard!
We look forward to having you in our discussions here. We’re a nice group. :)
RCTID - Stumptown Footy
Moderator of /r/MLS
Well, mostly.
Good to have you, Athletic.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Jan 9, 2012 8:27 AM PST up reply actions
Thanks guys
I don’t know a lot about soccer but I catch on fast
Check out my Cycling blog http://cyclebee.blogspot.com/
by Athletic on Jan 9, 2012 9:10 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Check it out
Here. Of course some of these are pretty obvious but good refreshers
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
I honestly think
Hedges is more polished, and more ready to step in day 1 and contribute, on a level similar to AJ Soares (he’s not as good of a passer, but he’s better in the air). That said, I’ve been keeping my eye on Jean-Baptiste since he was rumored (and subsequently did) sign a GA deal. He’s an interesting project who while might be a disaster on the field if needed this year, might do well to have a few years on the reserve side/maybe even a loan to lower levels ala Horst. Guess it depends on how much depth the FO thinks we have there. It should be noted our 4th CB did see a few minutes last year, so having someone more ready to step in might not be terrible.
The salary point is a good one, but Hedges is unlikely to pull down much more than 60k I would think, maybe even a touch less, so while Jean-Baptiste is “free” this year and maybe next, as soon as he graduates, he’s on a 6 figure salary that makes it difficult to keep a player if they aren’t really tearing it up (see problems with Jeremy Hall’s salary, Rodney’s salary, etc….they can be very expensive quickly). That could well be a reason why Chivas let Valentin go (I believe he graduated and at 6 figures, the upside was there, but at that salary they must have felt they could find someone cheaper that was a better value (ie Riley). Although we aren’t really close to the cap, its something to think about as this team matures.
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