Scouts had hopes for East Carolina righthander Shawn Armstrong coming into the season, but he was inconsistent. He has a strong body at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and a good arm, and he's at his best when he sits 91-92 mph down in the zone. He'll touch 94 and show a curveball and slider, with the former being a better pitch. He had made 18 appearances—six starts—going 3-1, 4.22 in 43 innings with 49 strikeouts and 21 walks.

We didnt' sign:

Lefthander Stephen Tarpley has been impressive this spring, sitting in the 89-91 mph range with his fastball and touching 93, with a hard curveball. He gets around the pitch at times, but it shows hard, downer action when he stays on top of it. Tarpley also mixes in a changeup and can throw all of his pitches for strikes thanks to his athletic, 6-foot, 175-pound frame. Scouts like him, but there are rumors he wants seven figures to forgo his commitment to Southern California. If he goes to school, some think he could be a first-round pick in three years.

Or

Another Clemson wild card is righthander Kevin Brady, who in addition to being a redshirt sophomore also missed 70 days with a forearm strain. Brady made three starts in February and March and was outstanding. He struck out 19 while walking one in 12 innings against Eastern Michigan and Michigan State, giving up just six hits and one run. Then he started against South Carolina, striking out four more in four innings while giving up only one run. But he had to leave that start and didn't pitch again until May. He was up to 93-94 mph in his first start and showed good velocity in his return out of the bullpen, sitting 90-92 in one-inning stints in the ACC tournament while adding a cutter. He's also thrown a curve that at times has 12-to-6 action and was a solid-average pitch early on.

or

Dillon Peters has moved to the head of the class of an interesting group of Indiana high school pitchers, but he probably won't be drafted as high as his stuff alone would merit. His body (listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, though scouts think he's a couple of inches shorter) and strong commitment to Texas are concerns, though his biggest supporters liken him to Robbie Ross, a Rangers second-round pick in 2008. Peters' fastball runs from 90-94 mph, his hard curveball gives him a solid No. 2 pitch and his changeup is more advanced than with most high schoolers. His mechanics have a lot of effort and not much deception. His control is inconsistent and he gets little extension in his delivery, leading some scouts to wonder about how effective his fastball will be against pro hitters. Peters may not sign for less than first-round money, so there's no telling where he might go in the draft.

In total we paid about $7.5 M in signing bonuses. 15 kids got $100,000 plus

Pittsburgh signed No. 1 pick in the whole draft for $8M, second round for $5, total of about $16 million.

Among Division Rivals:

White Sox didn't pay $1M to anyone, total looks like about $2.5M.

Tigers paid about $2.5M with two signings in the $500,000 range at the top of thier payouts.

Royals spent about $13M starting with $7.5M for their first rounder and plenty of way above slot deals, 7 that topped $600,000 each (or higher than anyone Tigers signed)

Twins paid about $5.3M, with 3 $1M deals for their first three picks.

Righthander Dillon Howard, the Indians' second-round pick (67th overall), has signed for a $1.85 million bonus. The estimated slot for that pick was $545,400.

Howard, an Arkansas signee, has a fastball with above-average life and velocity. It can sit 92-94 mph and at times has heavy sink. Command can be an issue, but he's a solid athlete whose arm works well, so scouts can project average big league fastball command. His secondary pitches, a curveball and changeup, have their moments but have been inconsistent this season. He has more feel for his secondary offerings than many prep pitchers, which had some scouts surprised that he didn't have a more dominant season

Initial assessment of the draft signings by Baseball America, says nothing about the Indians:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/pr ... 12223.html

BA answers questions on the draft:

Brian (Ohio): Stephen Tarpley and Dillon Peters were both asking for 7 figures. Were the Indians wise for letting these two go back to school, or will they regret not giving them what they wanted?

Jim Callis: Both are interesting arms ... I look at the draft this way: Most of the players a team signs aren't going to make a significant impact, but those that do will deliver such a huge rate of return on the investment that they more than pay for everyone else, if that makes sense ... So on one hand, I'd sign anyone I thought was promising, but on the other, teams have a budget and have to draw a line somewhere. The Indians spent $8.2 million on the draft and added payroll in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, so I can't call them cheap.

For a 2.9 mil bonus, Lindor better be Sterling.

Sterling's pitching at Lake County after his promotion from Arizona. Looks like one of our best pitching prospects, although he's only 18. Lindor is 17. Plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong for both of them before they ever reach Cleveland.

While your previous Ask BA answered the question as to which teams had the best drafts in 2011, it's widely known that we won't truly know how a draft will turn out until five years down the road. How about ranking all 30 teams on a draft that has had enough time, such as 2005?

Matt Huml
Knoxville
I agree with Matt's point about instant analysis of drafts. It's impossible to do with any great degree of accuracy, though those of us in the draft-reporting business get asked to do it constantly and feel compelled to do so.

Anyway, 2005 is a fine draft to review because not only have six years passed, but it also was one of the best drafts of the last two decades. Let's commence ranking how teams did, in order from worst to first (numbers in parentheses indicate draft round):

30. Cubs
Lone big leaguer Donald Veal (2) has a 7.16 ERA in 16 major league innings.
29. Mariners
Late switch of No. 3 overall pick from Troy Tulowitzki to Jeff Clement (1) was a bad omen.
28. Astros
Used first pick on Brian Bogusevic (1), had to convert him from pitcher to outfielder.
27. Dodgers
With failure to sign top pick Luke Hochevar (1s), highlight is Trayvon Robinson (10).
26. Indians
Tim Lincecum (42) turned down $700,000, leaving Jensen Lewis (3) as best signee.
25. Phillies
Shrewdest move was taking Vance Worley (20), but he didn't sign until three years later.
24. Rangers
John Mayberry Jr.'s (1) emergence may salvage something from this draft class.
23. Giants
Didn't have picks in first three rounds but uncovered super sleeper Sergio Romo (28).
22. Orioles
Got quality reliever in David Hernandez (16), role player in Nolan Reimold (2).
21. Athletics
Cliff Pennington (1), Travis Buck (1s) are the best of a mediocre lot.
20. White Sox
Like most Chisox prospects, Chris Getz (4) and Clayton Richard (8) became trade fodder.
19. Angels
Peter Bourjos (10) is a future Gold Glover; L.A. rues not signing Buster Posey (50).
18. Marlins
Chris Volstad (1) led five picks before second round; best choice was Gaby Sanchez (4).
17. Rays
Blew No. 8 choice on Wade Townsend (1), rallied with Jeremy Hellickson (4).
16. Mets
Hauled in two starters in Mike Pelfrey (1) and Jonathon Niese (7), plus Josh Thole (13).
15. Royals
Alex Gordon's (1) resurgence was crucial because he's the only big leaguer in this group.
14. Padres
No stars, but three useful bats in Chase Headley (2), Nick Hundley (2), Will Venable (7).
13. Tigers
Detroit signed an MLB-best 10 big leaguers, led by Cameron Maybin (1), Matt Joyce (7).
12. Blue Jays
After a slow start, Ricky Romero (1) has blossomed into one of game's top young lefties.
11. Twins
Minnesota regrettably traded Matt Garza (1); kept Kevin Slowey (2), Brian Duensing (3).
10. Cardinals
Will move up if Colby Rasmus (1) reaches potential, Jaime Garcia (22) stays healthy.
9. Reds
Jay Bruce (1) is the headliner; Travis Wood (2), Logan Ondrusek (13) also have helped.
8. Pirates
Andrew McCutchen (1) is Pittsburgh's best first-rounder since Barry Bonds in 1985.
7. Yankees
Brett Gardner (3) beat expectations, Austin Jackson (8) helped land Curtis Granderson.
6. Braves
Yunel Escobar (2) is a quality shortstop, Tommy Hanson (22) has frontline upside.
5. Brewers
Ryan Braun (1) became one of major's most devastating bats within two years.
4. Nationals
Got an all-around star in Ryan Zimmerman (1), innings-eater in John Lannan (12).
3. Diamondbacks
Justin Upton (1) a worthy No. 1 pick; also got Micah Owings (3), Greg Smith (6).
2. Rockies
Colorado hit on just one big leaguer: Troy Tulowitzki (1), baseball's best shortstop.
1. Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury (1), Clay Buchholz (1s), Jed Lowrie (1s) arrived before second round.

Crowe still may have a decent career as a 4th outfielder. Not even sure Lewis will ever sniff the Major Leagues again.

26. Indians
Tim Lincecum (42) turned down $700,000, leaving Jensen Lewis (3) as best signee.

We drafted (and didn't sign) Desmond Jennings the same year. UGH