MLB

The month of June is a prime time to make fantasy baseball trades. At this point in the season, it is much easier to determine where your team is strong, where your squad is weak, and typically owners are open to making moves as they fret about falling too far behind in the standings.

The MLB draft means more than just a replenishment of the many major league farm systems.

Like a political poster, the draft screams change and, more importantly, hope for a winning future.

MLB's worst teams are giddy at the prospects of achieving this winning future; they look at their top draft picks as not only tickets out of last place, but also as keys to the pennant.

Some of these teams are in such dire need for improvement that they could use the help now sooner rather later.

So who will get to the majors first?

Day one of the MLB First-Year Players Draft began with the most predictable draft pick in baseball history, when the Washington Nationals selected 17-year-old phenom Bryce Harper. 

Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal wasn't supposed to be on the board when the Reds selected at 12th, but when he was, they were quick to pick him up.

Grandal came into the draft as one of the most polished prospects after spending three years at Miami. He has already garnered honors and accolades for his play this year and was named a first team All-American.

The pick looks solid.

Grandal is a safe pick due to his college experience. He is currently batting .412, tops in the ACC, with 14 home runs, and 56 RBIs for the Hurricanes.

While waiver wire gems such as Jose Bautista (18 HRs, 45 RBI) and Carlos Silva (8 wins, 2.93 ERA) are unexpectedly dominating fantasy leagues, perennial All-Stars such as Mark Teixeira (.211 BA) and

• Chicago Cubs
• Fantasy
• Fantasy Baseball
• Front Page
• MLB
• Opinion