The Value per Pick Index (V.P.I.) was developed in 1998 to measure how efficiently each individual draft pick was used. Each selection is evaluated based on pick number, talent available, positional depth, three year statistical averages, 1999 projections, and the trend analysis of the previous five N.J.R.B.L drafts. The V.P.I. does not factor in the quantity of picks a team has or the team needs. It is assumed that a team would move down in the draft to select appropriate value while meeting team needs. A perfect score on the V.P.I. is 1.0.

1. Freaks	(.85)	Possible saver catcher (Posada); best arm in draft (Tomko); and AL ROY candidate (Chavez). These picks are what the VPI is all about!
2. PC 1st Cousins	(.74)	Only knock on D.Young is crowded Reds outfield; Batista a steal at 26 if he gets 450 ABs; take Moyer numbers to the bank. This franchise dominates VPI.
3. Humpbacks	(.70)	Picks better in person. Cirillo at 7 brought back a saved arm. Perez in Dodger blue is nice value. Bell provides flexibility and pop in the middle.
4. Monarchs	(.63)	Alfonzo could break out and become a saver middle. Thompson is touted, but in the AL. Hampton is still very young and hurls in the Astrodome.
5. RH Factor	(.61)	Top rated first baseman at 22 (Grace). Curious pick of Segui, but the VPI is measuring value. Old Factor players always have a home here (Klesko).
6. Scrubs	(.58)	Hernandez is a part time, one category middle. Surhoff is at least better than Marty Cordova. 1998 overall 1 Estes would have been better pick than "the gambler" (Rogers).
7. La-z-Boyz	(.55)	Tough to argue with youth...but 3 picks worth? Casey showed signs; Elarton will probably have growing pains, and Jeremy Giambi has an older brother that can hit.
8. Swillers	(.53)	Timlin at 29 was top rated closer; Lima may be odd man out of Astros rotation; Clayton was not invited to the draft with other first round hopefuls.
9. Beagles	(.49)	Solid value with Williams at 13. Mantei has nice upside but there were better available. Stewart slides right into Cameron's old locker.
10. Notorious CUZ	(.46)	Harnisch looks like a health risk. Taubensee must be his personal catcher? Valentin is a great middle, but only a second round third baseman.
11. Bombers	(.43)	Ripken at 16 killed this score. Vizquel's draft spot (2) matches his HR total. Davis away from Camden Yards and DH duties means a drop in production.

Jorge Posada Bret Tomko Mark Grace Tony Batista

Ed Taubensee Cal Ripken Royce Clayton Shannon Stewart

Second Round Analysis

1. Bombers	(.59)	Clark and King provide exceptional value at 34 and 35. Loretta is saveable if a full time spot opens for him. Underachieving Sanders is worth a shot. Better than Widger was available at 57.
2. Freaks	(.57)	Estes is a first round arm at 38. HRod is a fast starter with 40 jack potential. Despite the John Hunt hype Howry went too early at 39.
3. Monarchs	(.55)	Dreifort (50) and NRod (56) could be ready for breakout years. Could regret choice of Leyritz at 63. Acevedo and Brantley are risky, but could provide big rewards.
4. Scrubs	(.54)	If Glaus plays SS he is the pick of the round. Billy Taylor was a steal at 64. Cameron looks to prove the 1998 hype correct. Ziele is steady, but there are better guys for UT spot.
5. Notorious CUZ	(.52)	Colon could return to first half 1998 form. Escobar has a live arm, but may still need time. Better than Loiselle available at 45.
6. Beagles	(.51)	Rocker at 47 is a bargain if he ends up with the job; but is a dud if he does not. Hernandez usually provides solid save numbers. Is Alomar at 46 the 1997 or 1998 version?
7. La-z-Boyz	(.48)	Two rounds down and still nobody that is old enough to shave? Meluskey could be something special at 54. Old Boyz 2B Spiezio would be far better than Febles.
8. Humpbacks	(.46)	Look for Damon at the All Star game. Stevens should get opportunities, but will he make the most of them? Has a Phillies catcher ever worked out for the HBacks?
9. Swillers	(.45)	These are not championship caliber arms. Erickson is streaky, but usually ends up with respectable numbers. It will be 4th of July every fifth day with the fireworks Alvarez will produce.
10. PC 1st Cousins	(.44)	Kaplar has the look of spring training phenom, regular season bust. Factor squeezed every last drop out of Montgomery in 1998.
11. RH Factor	(.30)	Only pick was Butch Huskey at 55. How many people had to write him on their lists so they could cross him off?

Billy Taylor Johnny Damon Shawn Estes Will Clark

Butch Huskey Wilson Alvarez Carlos Febles Mike Lieberthal

Other Notables
PC 1st Cousins: Franco, Mohler, Brogna, Finley..pass those lists over here!!! Freaks: Trachsel, C.Johnson, Everett, J.Wright...what a day!!! Swillers: D.Wilson, Osborne, M.Anderson, Grissom are the "buzz brigade" La-z-Boyz: Young, Berry, Guzman, Wohlers..these guys always make up ground late Beagles: Helling, G.Anderson, C.Guillen..strong close in front of home fans. Bombers: Incredible value from Chen and Vina in round 3! RH Factor: Spiezio and Hitchcock are only value added in last 3 rounds Scrubs: Wickman and Deshields...tell that engraver not to start just yet. Humpbacks: Not much of a finishing kick with headliners of Aggie and Gooden. Notorious CUZ: Woodard and Beltre..must have been talking about the family picnic? Monarchs: Schmidt and Lieber. People this age can't function without a nap.