Exploring The Value Teams Get From First Round Picks

Ripken was a second round pick, and Reggie Smith was taken in a strange hybrid of today's rule 4 and rule 5 draft that took place before the modern draft was instituted in 1965.

You'd think you'd get the headline right when you are linking to your own blog.

Reggie Smith was a damn good player who was better than some decent HOFers. He just couldn't play 150 very often.

Reggie Smith was taken in a strange hybrid of today's rule 4 and rule 5 draft that took place before the modern draft was instituted in 1965.

Yes, it was the "first year draft," in which the Red Sox plucked Smith from the Twins organization. But it wasn't really comparable to the amateur free agent draft that was instituted in 1965; Smith was already in pro ball when the Red Sox got him.

And though the first year draft was only in effect for a few years in the early-to-mid '60s, Rule 5 was in place as well, as it has been continuously since 1903.

I was looking at Reggie Smith's BBREF page and he put up an OPS+ of 137 in more than 8000 career plate appearances... that is damn impressive, and it was the second best among his top-10 most-similar batters (Indian Bob Johnson had a 138), all the rest of whom (Fred Lynn, Moises Alou, etc.) were in the 120s or lower.

Cal was 112, but I guess the positional adjustment and his longevity and reputation for durability add luster to that.

his ... reputation for durability

I think it's fair to say that Ripken had more than just a reputation for durability.

The White Sox have 7 former 1st round picks on their 25 man roster with BA being the only home grown #1.

Linebrink is a 2nd round pick.

his ... reputation for durability

Nolan Ryan had a reputation for throwing hard.

Cal was 112, but I guess the positional adjustment and his longevity and reputation for durability add luster to that.

It was around 122 when he had Smith's PAs...

At the age of 30 Ripken hit .323/.374/.566, an OPS+ of 162. His career OPS+ was 126, and he was a good defensive SS (Not just better than Jeter, but actually good).

From that point on, Ripken had 5800+ PAs of 96 OPS+ performance, plus steadily diminishing range in the field.
Of his last 5 years, only 1, 1999, was he anything special.

Reggie Smith is an interesting comparison, because if you subtract Smith's numbers from Ripken you get: 4800 PAs of .256/.295/.380 performance (an OPS+ of 82)

So, how much more value did Ripken give his teams than Smith?

So, how much more value did Ripken give his teams than Smith?

Tens of millions of dollars at the very least. Oh, you meant wins versus losses.

So, how much more value did Ripken give his teams than Smith?

The value of a SS over a CF/RF, and a guy who in his prime you could pencil Sharpie into the lineup.

4800 PAs of .256/.295/.380 performance (an OPS+ of 82). So, how much more value did Ripken give his teams than Smith?

I don't know. What is 8 years of Jason Bartlett worth?