Early Starting Lineup Preview

After only 10 rounds the Defending Champion Michigan Miracles have their starting lineup pretty well set.  While we still have 7 roster spots open we project those additions to be backups at several positions and some SP's to give someone like Pettitte a day or week off.  This is how it shapes up....

C---Alex Avila
1B--Paul Goldschmidt  3/2014
2B--Neil Walker  3/2015
3B--Chase Headley  2/2013
SS--Ian Desmond  2/2013
OF--Carlos Gonzalez  5/2017
OF--Nick Markakis  2/2014
OF--Michael Cuddyer
OF--David Murphy
UTL-Todd Frazier  3/2015

SP--R.A. Dickey  2/2013
SP--Mat Latos  3/2013
SP--Marcos Estrada
SP--A.J. Griffen  2/2013
SP--Andy Pettitte

RP--Jonathan Papelbon  2/2013
RP--Huston Street
RP--Grant Balfour
RP--Drew Storen  2/21013
RP--Joaquin Benoit

Bench-Jeff Francour  2/2013
Bench-Emilio Bonafacio
Bench-Cory Luebke  2/2013


Signing 5 players will give us 2 extensions and those would currently go to Mat Latos and Jonathan Papelbon which would give us 8 players under contract for 2014.  While the projected contracts are tentitive Miracle managements likes the options they have for this year.  Thanks to some shrewd trading (others call questionable) we were able to acquire early round picks, much earlier than originally anticipated that allowed us to restock with better players than will be available in rounds 18+.  LET'S GO MIRACLES!!!

Miracle Draft Update Round 10

The 10th round in the 2013 eMLB draft allowed the Champion Miracles to fill out their potential starting roster.  They picked up David Murphy of the Rangers to probably platoon in one of the outfield spots and at the end of the round we acquired AJ Griffin and Andy Pettitte to fill out our starting pitching spots.  Although Pettitte can no longer be counted on to pitch 200 innings or get close to 30 starts GM Renner really liked his value here at the end of round 10.  He gives you everything he has every time out and will be a tremendous mentor to our younger starters.  Griffen has terrific stuff and we see good progression coming from him this season.  While none of these players will garner a contract from management all should be valuable additions this season as we try to go "Back to Back"  It has never happened in league history.....is this the season?  The Texas Divisions promises to be "VERY" difficult in 2013 as all the teams are locked and loaded.

Miracle Draft Update Round 9

With the final selection of the round we filled out our MRP by taking Joaquin Benoit of the Tigers.  Another high holds guy we are in the hopes he can reduce the number of HR's he allowed in 2012.  Looking for big things from Benoit.

Miracle Draft Update Round 8

In order to have multiple selections in some rounds something must give.  At some point we traded this pick away.  Two full rounds between picks is a long time to wait but we feel confident we will be able to acquire solid players coming up in rounds 9-10-11.

Miracle Draft Update Round 7

With only a single selection we took our third solid closer in Grant Balfour from the A's.  Like Street he plays in a major pitchers park so close games will usually be the norm and Grant will close many of the them for the Miracles.  We will now look to add only another MRP who should give us quality holds perhaps as early as our next couple of picks.

Miracle Draft Update Round 6

Our only selection of the round found us pretty much filling out our starting offensive players by taking hometown favorite Alex Avila to catch for the Miracles.  Will probably not be contracted he hope Alex has put his nagging injuries behind him and will again close in on the numbers he put up in 2011.  If he is anywhere near those numbers we would likely look to extend him into 2014.

Miracle Draft Update Round 5

Again with two late round picks the Miracles selected players at need positions.  at 5.14 we selected Emilio Bonafacio.  In the past he has terrorized the Miracles with key hits and multiple SB games against us.  We decided to put his skills to work...for us.  Multiple position flexibility is another added plus with him.  The final selection of the round found us taking Houston Street.  Again the everyday closer for the Padres we forsee him getting close to if not more than 30 saves with a sub 2.50 ERA and a sub 1.00 WHIP.  At this point the GM and his staff are very pleased with the way the team is coming together.

Miracle Draft Update Round 4

The 4th round was huge for the Miracles.  Continuing our OF run we selected Michael Cuddyer.  Long time favorite is finally a Miracle.  Our second pick in this round was Neil Walker.  A solid 2B just entering his prime years.  Looking for big things from Walker.  He will get a 2 yr contract.  Towards the end of the round we took a high K/9 pitcher in Marco Estrada.  Our advanced scouting is  very high on this Brewer and he may also be given a 2 yr contract.  With the last pick of the round we brought home another former Miracle in Todd Frazier.  He will be slotted in at utility in all likelihood and we couldn't be more thrilled to have someone with Championship games under his belt.  The Miracles did very well for themselves in the players they selected.

Miracle Draft Update Round 3

With the 10th selection of round 3 the Miracles selected Nick Markakis from Baltimore.  Nick returns to the Miracles after having been acquired at the trade deadline in 2012.  Nick was a valuable member and was a huge part of our Championship run.  We very nearly extended Markakis but not having done so are very happy he is coming home.  Solid numbers across the board make him very valuable and a prototypical Miracle.  Nick won't steal us many bases but he does have good speed and is an excellent baserunner.

Miracle Draft Update Round 2

The Michigan Miracles had no selection in round two of the eMLB draft.  This pick was in part used to acquire selection 1.5

Miracle Draft Update Round 1

By moving up to the 5th pick in the first round the Michigan Miracles were able to select Carlos Gonzalez.  GM Renner stated that after moving up in the round this was the player that they coveted all along.  We would have been happy with any of the three players that could have been available here but CarGo, by far, fit not only the best available option but also filled our greatest need.  OF was our biggest liability going into the draft and now we are better suited to fill out the rest of our roster.

Pending a physical, CarGo will be given a 5 year contract to man the Miracle outfield. 

Renner was also quoted as saying that although we don't have another pick until 3.10 at that point we have 7 of the next 39 picks and by the end of round 5 we should have a pretty good idea of what this 2013 Defending Champion Michigan Miracles team will look like.  More updates as picks are made.