2009 Acquisitions

There were 4 amateur acquisitions of note for the 42's in 2009, one IFA and 3 draft picks.

Guillermo Estrada Washington D.C. 42's Age: 20 B/T: S/R Born: Mao, DO Position(s): SS/IF/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Estrada was the return on the 42's 24 million dollar investment in 2009. The Washington front office is very pleased with Guillermo and believes he can become an all-star type SS/CF by 2011. Estrada played 109 games at AA, splitting time between 3B and SS, after which he was summoned to the 42's big league postseason roster where he played in 7 games, invaluable experience for the youngster.

Walter Mulholland Washington D.C. 42's Age: 22 B/T: R/R Born: Sheridan, WY Position(s): P (LRA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The 42's are having problems adjusting to drafting 26th as opposed to in the top 10 as they had been accustomed. While the signing bonuses are not as high the talent takes a little more digging to unearth. Mulholland projects to be a long reliever capable of pitching every other day and notching 150 very effective innings a season. Mulholland projects to a sub 1.3 whip.

Ricardo Cortez Washington D.C. 42's Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Idaho Falls, ID Position(s): P (SuA) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Cortez was the 70th pick of the draft and has more raw pitching talent than the 42's first round pick, Walter Mulholland, but lacks the innings capacity. While WM can be counted on for 150 innings a season, Washington will be lucky to get 70 out of Cortez. For his career though the 42's expect a sub 1.2 WHIP from Ricardo (we will not project for a single season because the low innings will result in volatile results from year to year)

Willie Lee Washington D.C. 42's Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Southsan Francisco, CA Position(s): P (SP3) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Willie "the Spaceman" Lee Jr. hails from San Francisco and pitched his college ball at Berkeley. The tall righty has excellent control and a sinker that bores in on righties with strange movement, typical of one of Bill Lee's progeny. Lee may make the big league squad down the line and fill some innings from the pen, but needs to think about dropping the split finger as his 3rd pitch first.

Willie Leon Washington D.C. 42's Age: 22 B/T: S/R Born: Fundacion, DO Position(s): 1B View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Acquired via trade, Willie Leon is a big switch hitting 1B with light tower power whom the 42's are unsure of what to do with. Management wonders if he can replicate his monster numbers in the majors, and even if he can come close, Yamid Encarnacion sits squarely in his way, is this a Ryan Howard/Jim Thome situation?