(This page to remain posted until just before 2010 season.)

For the first time in years the draft for the 2009 season subjected all amateur levels (high school, university, and industrial league) to the same draft.

Each team is ranked and graded using three criteria:

1. How a team met its needs;

2. What talent was drafted...and passed by; and,

3. The value received for the round.

A brief recap of team statistics are given before the analysis.

If taking a base-stealing outfielder with no power and a possible starting pitcher is good, then the Bay Stars did well. That assessment may be harsh, but the BayStars needed to fill al lot of holes and failed.

First Round:  They took Keijiro Matsumoto an outfielder from Waseda University who can run, field and hit for average. He doesn't hit for power and most likely will have to learn a new position if he is to play.

Second Round:  Hitoshi Fujie from Toho Gas in the industrial league was not projected to be drafted and can only throw in the low 80's.

Third Round:  Yoriharu Nakazaki, an infielder from Yokohama College of Commerce. He is a tweener who looks like a power hitter but isn't and doesn't project well to the pros.

The only pick I like is Yota Kosugi from JR East in round five. Kosugi once quit baseball and then later revived his pitching career.  His raw talent talent and size are on a big-league level. He's the best talent they got and gambling this late in the draft was a great move. I see Kosugi contributing to the team, but it's hard to see others doing so.