Littlefield versus the neighbors in the draft

The right comparison is to look at the players taken right after Littlefield picked in 2003. I suppose one could make the case that the Pirates should have taken Aaron Hill or Ian Stewart, but none of the other general managers looks like a genius.

Taken	Team	Player	Pos	Bonus
8	PIT	Paul Maholm	LHP	$2,200,000	981	IP	95	ERA+
9	TEX	John Danks	LHP	$2,100,000	213	IP	117	ERA+
10	COL	Ian Stewart	3B	$1,950,000	1,120	AB	96	OPS+
11	CLE	Michael Aubrey	1B	$2,010,000	135	AB	97	OPS+
12	NYM	Lastings Milledge	OF	$2,075,000	1,655	AB	91	OPS+
13	TOR	Aaron Hill	SS	$1,675,000	3,213	AB	97	OPS+
14	CIN	Ryan Wagner	RHP	$1,400,000	165	IP	90	ERA+

In 2004 there's a bit more happening. Jered Weaver and Stephen Drew were both college juniors and commanded much higher bonuses than the high schoolers in the neighborhood. But hey, we've got Josh Fields now.

Taken	Team	Player	Pos	Bonus
11	PIT	Neil Walker	C	$1,950,000	462	AB	112	OPS+
12	ANA	Jered Weaver	RHP	$4,000,000	896	IP	123	ERA+
13	MON	Bill Bray	LHP	$1,750,000	140	IP	113	ERA+
14	KC	Billy Butler	3B	$1,450,000	1,975	AB	118	OPS+
15	ARI	Stephen Drew	SS	$4,000,000	2,736	AB	99	OPS+
16	TOR	David Purcey	LHP	$1,600,000	147	IP	81	ERA+
17	LA	Scott Elbert	LHP	$1,575,000	0	IP	NA	ERA+
18	CWS	Josh Fields	3B	$1,550,000	713	AB	86	OPS+

In 2005 it's really hard to fault the player taken, even if you're not an avid fan of McClutch. You might prefer to have Jay Bruce, but it's not an easy call. Plus the Bucs have Jeff Clement (taken 3rd), Aaron Thompson (22nd), and Craig Hansen (26th). Of course Littlefield missed the chance to take Nolan Reimold and Chase Headley in the second round, but lots of GMs missed that opportunity. And C.J. Henry was sort of a disappointment on the Kansas basketball team last year, though his brother was really good (until the tournament).

Taken	Team	Player	Pos	Bonus
11	PIT	Andrew McCutchen	OF	$1,900,000	1,003	AB	120	OPS+
12	CIN	Jay Bruce	OF	$1,800,000	1,267	AB	110	OPS+
13	BAL	Brandon Snyder	C	$1,700,000	20	AB	89	OPS+
14	CLE	Trevor Crowe	OF	$1,695,000	625	AB	74	OPS+
15	CWS	Lance Broadway	RHP	$1,575,000	55	IP	88	ERA+
16	FLA	Chris Volstad	RHP	$1,600,000	418	IP	95	ERA+
17	NYY	C.J. Henry	SS	$1,575,000	0	AB	0	OPS+

My take is that the Pirates personnel shortcomings don't stem from what happened in round 1. After round 1 are we talking judgement, scouting, or luck?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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