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1st Annual 1940 Michigan-Ohio Baseball League Draft
It’s the time of the year for promise and potential as the best high school and college baseball players are prepared to take their talent to a professional level. This year has found some decent players that should have very productive careers if they progress, although there don’t seem to be any clear superstars in this draft.


1. Akron Red Irons – LF Jose Rodriguez, 18 years old – This quite talented left-handed outfielder was just as surprised as any to be selected first overall. “I thought they were going to take one of the pitchers for sure,” the Canton-born Rodriguez said. “I’ve been going to a number of Terriers games this year, but now I bleed red and black. I hope to be the most-hated person in Canton in a few years,” Rodriguez added, grinning. Scouts don’t doubt his ability to get on base, but wonder if he’ll just be a good leadoff hitter, as his power potential seems to be in doubt. He’ll take plenty of time to develop, but Red Iron fans should be happy with this pick.

2. Traverse City Cherries – LHP Pancho Vargas, 17 years old – The Cherries hope they took a future staff ace when they selected the young, tall, lanky Alabaman. Vargas will probably never overpower anybody, but does have plenty of movement on his pitches and he rarely misses his target. Cherries fans shouldn’t plan on seeing this young southpaw for a number of years as he develops his pitching in the minors.

3. Zanesville Engineers – RHP Dan Lang, 21 years old – Zanesville thinks they’ve selected the best player in the draft when they selected Lang. Lang rates out well in every category and is exceptional in his movement potential. He features a nice 4-pitch arsenal and is an extremely intelligent, hard-working player. Engineer fans can expect Lang to rise rather quickly through the ranks and could be in the rotation in a couple years.

4. Grand Rapids Blue Lakers – RHP Anthony Lewington, 19 years old – Grand Rapids was just looking to pick the best player available with their pick and they did just so in drafting Lewington. The Illinois native has some very solid potential, but some scouts question his willingness to turn that potential into major league talent. He’ll need a few years to develop, but Blue Laker fans can expect to see Anthony in the rotation at some point in the future.

5. Youngstown Black Irons – LHP Anthony Boyd, 22 years old – A strong-minded leader of the clubhouse, Boyd was delighted to be selected by Youngstown. “I’ve rooted for the Black Irons since the season began. They have a hard working club and it’s a hard working town,” Boyd said. Featuring a 5-pitch arsenal with a wicked sinker, Youngstown infielders can expect to be busy when Boyd takes the rubber, especially since he’s not a strikeout pitcher.

6. Mackinac Trolleys – RHP David Massiter, 18 years old – If there was a common theme to this draft, it would be pitchers strong in moving the ball around and being able to control their pitches. The Trolleys pick is exactly that. The native Texan is not a flame-thrower but is a strong pitcher otherwise. Mackinac will let him develop him for a number of years for sure.

7. Lansing Capitals – 3B Clancy Samuels, 23 years old – SISA thinks Lansing just selected the best player in the whole draft. They believe his potential is as high as it gets, but scouts seem to differ with that opinion but don’t doubt the switch-hitting Samuels will be an excellent player. You don’t find too many switch-hitting third basemen that play excellent defense and get on base consistently and all the scouts agree this is something he will do. The scouts question his power ability though. Lansing hopes he quickly makes it through the ranks as they have a gaping hole at third.

8. Dayton Pilots – 3B Tom Pennyroyal, 22 years old – The Pilots have high hopes and praise for this right handed third baseman, who they think is just as good as Samuels as far as potential is concerned. Not quite as good defensively as Samuels, but the power potential is there for Pennyroyal. Luckily, the Pilots won’t have to rush him like Lansing is looking to do, but Pilots fans can expect a stud corner infielder when he does make the show.
The rest of the picks from the 1st round coming soon.....