2012 eMLB Mock Draft - Picks 1-4

Here is a (very) early look at the first four picks of the eMLB Free Agent Draft.

1. Hackensack Bulls: Jose Bautista, OF/3B

I think this pick probably comes down to Adrian Gonzalez and Bautista, and Ben ultimately picks Bautista because (in my opinion) he's the best offensive player in the draft. Ben could slot Bautista in at 3B, giving him the best 3B in the game, and still find a very productive 1B with his second round pick. A five year contract for Bautista is a little risky, but the worst case scenario probably has him playing out his final two years under contract as a DH.

2. Olivet Killer Eagles: Robinson Cano, 2B

Larry's OF is full, he's got Asdrubal Cabrera at SS, and Dunn/Morales at 1B/UTIL; all these factors conspire to make Cano the pick here. My guess is Cano gets a 5-year deal and is destined to spend all five years in Olivet.

3. Michigan Miracles: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

This pick comes down to Gonzo, Tulo and Reyes in my opinion. I think Gonzo and Tulo are the finalists and Gonzo wins out. He's a great 5-year player who should put up monster numbers in a park that seemingly was built for his swing.

4. Atlantic Surge: Jose Reyes, SS

I think Squire just blew his load. A big time Mets fan, and saddled with a lousy SS by a previous owner (Bartlett), he is more than happy to lock up his man crush for five years. Now he just has to hope Reyes' hammy can hold up for five years.

Javelina Extend Berkman, Weaver; Begin Planning for Draft

Frustrated and woefully disappointed in how their season ended, the Julian Javelina elected to forego their typical press conference and announce their extensions for the upcoming season in a brief press release. As many expected they would, the Javelina announced that OF/1B Lance Berkman and SP Jered Weaver will be returning for one more season with the team.

"The Julian Javelina are pleased to announce that we have agreed to one-year extensions with Lance Berkman and Jered Weaver," said GM Jamie Hoyle in the release. "Lance and Jered are not only outstanding and productive players, but they're superb leaders. Given the amount of turnover we will have heading into 2012, we felt it was imperative that we bring back two proven winners."

Weaver enjoyed his best season as a professional, posting 18 wins, a 2.41 ERA and 198 strike outs. Berkman, who joined the team prior to the trade deadline, was named comeback player of the year after hitting .301 with 31 HR, 94 RBI, 90 R and 92 BB. Weaver and Berkman will join 3B Ryan Zimmerman, 1B Ike Davis and SP Ryan Dempster on the Javelina roster.

The Javelina hold the #5 overall pick in the 2012 draft, and are expected to fill an offensive hole with the selection. It shouldn't be difficult to find an offensive difference maker with the pick, considering the 2012 draft is perhaps the deepest the league has seen since its inception. Sources close to the team have said they anticipate Hoyle will work feverishly to add at least one, and probably two bats via off-season trades.

Armed with #5 pick, Javelina Focus on Extensions

Needless to say, the 2011 eMLB season did not go to plan for the Julian Javelina. Seemingly loaded on offense to start the season, the team saw several players take a big step back (Choo, Ethier, Johnson), and others suffer major injuries (Zimmerman, Davis). As a result, the team struggled to find a consistent offense and had to settle for an appearance in the consolation bracket as opposed to the championship playoffs.

"It wasn't what we had in mind going into the season," said GM Jamie Hoyle. "But on the bright side we did eek out a win in the consolation championships to secure the #5 pick in a very deep draft."

Now, with the #5 pick locked down, Hoyle and his staff must focus on re-building following a season in which they traded numerous players signed to long-term contracts in hopes of reviving a struggling offense. That process starts with making smart decisions as it relates to contract extensions, of which the team has two. But who will get them?

"We're still sorting through those decisions," explained Hoyle. "Off the top of my head, I'd say we have five or six guys who are worthy of extensions - but we can't keep all of them. Certainly, guys like Adam Jones, Berkman, Weaver, Madson, Valverde, Peralta, and Hudson are all candidates."

Here is a look at some of the candidates and their 2011 numbers:

Jered Weaver: 2.41 ERA, 18 W, 198 K, 1.01 WHIP

Tim Hudson: 3.22 ERA, 16 W, 158 K, 1.14 WHIP

Ryan Madson: 2.67 ERA, 32 SV, 62K, 1.15 WHIP

Jose Valverde: 2.24 ERA, 49 SV, 69K, 1.19 WHIP

Lance Berkman: .301 AVG, 31 HR, 94 RBI, 90 R, 92 BB

Adam Jones: .280, 25 HR, 80 RBI, 12 SB, 68 R

Jhonny Peralta: .299, 21 HR, 86 RBI, 68 R