June 1, 1970
Once again, it's time for the Keystone League amateur draft. This year's class is not as deep as last year's was, especially with regards to pitching. Still, there are several players who look like they have what it takes to become stars.
Let's meet the twelve players chosen in this year's first round, and check on the progress of 1969's first rounders, too.
1. POTTSVILLE BREWERS: 1B Gaspar Gonzales
The Brewers once again held the first selection in the draft, and not surprisingly, they tapped Gonzales, the player who is expected to develop into the most complete hitter in this year’s draft class. This powerfully built 21-year-old from Venezuela grew up in Philadelphia, and won All-Conference honors for three years at the University of Maryland. Gonzales’ swing is short and powerful, and he generates a tremendous amount of leverage. He can drive the ball out of any part of any ballpark, and he makes extremely good contact for a power hitter. Gaspar is patient at the plate, waiting for pitches he can hit hard. He could develop into a batting champion, a home run champion, or both. The only knocks on Gonzales are the glacial speed with which he rounds the bases and his mediocre skills as a fielder. His inability to play any position except first base might cause the Brewers to move Jim Tobin, who is much more athletic, to the outfield in order to get both bats into their lineup. For now, Gonzales will hone his craft at AA Meadville.
Let’s catch up with Bill Mitchell, who is hitting .271 and getting on base 38 percent of the time as the Brewers’ starting right fielder.
2. READING COAL HEAVERS: 2B Don Kelly
The Heavers insist they would have chosen this line-drive hitting machine if they had picked first overall. They are as impressed with Kelly’s love for the game as they are with his considerable talents. The son of a high school coach and an elementary school principal, Kelly, who will turn 19 in July, was recruited by almost two dozen colleges for baseball and basketball, but his passion for baseball led him to leap at the chance to sign with the Heavers. Like many young hitters, Don will need some grooming, but he projects as a .300-plus hitter with decent power for a middle infielder. Kelly is also a plus-plus runner with good baserunning instincts, and he is a solid average fielder at both second base and shortstop. The Heavers will ease him into professional competition at Class A Coatesville.
Let’s catch up with Tim Gibson, who is doing just fine as a Keystone League regular at the age of 19 (.253-2-11, only three errors at shortstop).
3. GETTYSBURG CANNONS: OF-1B Dave Vanlandingham
The Cannons admit this 22-year-old athlete’s baseball skills are raw, but they are willing to take the chance that he will turn into something extra-special. He needs no introduction to Pennsylvania sports fans, as he starred at quarterback for Penn State’s nationally-ranked football team for the past three years. Vanlandingham hasn’t played baseball since high school, and surprised many “experts” when he turned his back on a chance to play in the Canadian Football League and chose baseball and the Keystone League instead. Dave bats and throws left-handed, and the Cannons will first audition him as an outfielder. He runs well and, as one might expect of a quarterback, he has a strong throwing arm. His 6’2”, 190-pound frame should generate some power, and if he can master the nuances of hitting breaking pitches, the Cannons might have themselves quite a player. Vanlandingham will report to Class A Shippensburg for now.
Let’s catch up with Clark Friday, whom the Cannons traded to Williamsport last for veteran outfielder John Ward last July. Friday is hitting. 328-5-29 for AAA Lock Haven; Ward is hitting .239-1-11 as a reserve for Gettysburg. Right now, the Cannons would happily take this one back.
4. STATE COLLEGE HILLCLIMBERS: CF Floyd Humphries
Humphries is a prototypical centerfielder. He should hit for average, and he possesses doubles and triples power, but won’t hit many home runs. He runs like a deer, and will steal bases and make things happen on the basepaths. He possesses outstanding range in the field, and his arm is merely average. Unlike Dave Vanlandingham, Humphries has played lots of baseball, and it shows. Only nineteen, his skills and instincts are very highly polished for a player his age. That’s why the Climbers will challenge him with an assignment to AAA Huntingdon. Don’t be surprised if you see him alongside Keith Clear in the State College outfield very soon.
Let’s catch up with Carl Lee, who hit nearly .300 in stops at AA and AAA last year and has added power to his repertoire this year in his second season with Huntingdon. With Danny Shaw in town Lee, a natural first baseman, is learning to play other positions in order to pave a clearer path to State College.
5. JOHNSTOWN JOHNNIES: LHP Ben Turnage
Drafting teenaged pitchers is always a risky proposition, but the Johnnies think they’ve hit the jackpot with this 17-year-old hurler. Turnage is a left-hander with a low-90s fastball, a sharp-breaking slider, and a fairly good changeup. He throws with a smooth, easy motion, and should be able to log lots of innings as he gets stronger. Turnage is a good athlete who fields his position well, can lay down a bunt, and won’t embarrass himself with a bat in his hands. The Johnnies sorely need pitching help, but Turnage is several years away from being able to help them. For now, he’ll pitch for Class A Somerset.
Let’s catch up with Kent Bouffard, who is taking his lumps right now in the Johnnies’ bullpen. Despite his ugly 7.01 ERA and the fact he’s walked 25 men in 24 innings, scouts remain convinced he’ll develop into a relief ace one day.
6. LEWISBURG PROFS: 1B Barton Kiddler
It’s all or nothing with Kiddler, who loosens his buttons and attacks the ball with his big, long swing. When he makes contact, the ball disappears out of sight; he has more power than any young hitter the Keystone League has seen in years. However, Kiddler has serious problems getting his bat on the baseball. He will probably never hit more than .250 or so, and he might strike out 150 times a year. If if he can crank out 40 homers a season, nobody will care. Barton is surprisingly nimble around the first base bag, and he moves fairly well for a big guy. He’s only eighteen, so he has lots of time to develop. He’ll begin his professional career with Class A Danville.
Let’s catch up with George Lawry, who is considered by some scouts to be the Keystone League’s #1 prospect. Playing for AAA Sunbury, Lawry isn’t hitting for average (.260), but he’s clubbed 11 homers and stolen 10 bases.
7. WILLIAMSPORT MILLIONAIRES: SS Bob Colquitt
The Millionaires’ choice of Colquitt in the first round surprised some “experts,” who doubt if the 17-year-old infielder will ever be able to hit well enough to hold down a regular job in the Keystone League. There are no doubts whatsoever about his defensive skills, and that’s why the Millionaires called his name. Colquitt displays tremendous range in the field, making plays most shortstops only dream about. His strong arm enables him to go deep in the hole and gun down runners with ease. The Millionaires hope Colquitt will team with John Francis in the middle of their infield before long, and will give him every opportunity to advance through their system quickly. Class A Montoursville will be Bob’s first professional club.
Let’s catch up with Easton Carwile, who has returned for a second tour of duty at AA Milton. He’s working both as a starter and a reliever, and trying to master his control (20 walks and 25 strikeouts in 30 innings).
8. YORK WHITE ROSES: RHP David Nance
York quickly snapped up this 22-year-old righthander, who won 58 games in four years at Bucknell. Nance lacks overpowering velocity—his fastball is clocked in the low nineties—but all four of his pitches have movement and bite. He can throw all of them for strikes, and demonstrates the ability to outthink opposing hitters. At least one Keystone League club passed on Nance because they believe he’ll never develop the endurance an ace starter needs, and they didn’t want to use their first round pick on a reliever. The Whites disagree, however, and are grooming Nance for a spot in their rotation at Class A Columbia.
Let’s catch up with Frank Mickel, who is considered the best pitching prospect in the Keystone League. He’s struggled with his control at Class AA Hershey, primarily because he’s been working on his secondary pitches. The Whites believe he’s very close to making his Keystone League debut, and that once he’s there, he’ll be there to stay.
9. ALTOONA MOUNTAINEERS: SS Mark Freke
“We never thought we’d have a chance to draft Mark Freke,” said the Altoona general manager, smiling after doing exactly that. He is one of the few players in this year’s draft class who projects to hit .300 in his prime, and he should draw enough walks to enable him to hit at the top of the order. Freke is a solid-average defender, with adequate range and a plus arm. He played for three years in a strong program at OhioWesleyan University, where he hit .403 as a junior. The Mountaineers are not pleased with the play of Chris Carrico at shortstop, so Freke will be sent to AAA Clearfield where he’ll be only a phone call away from the Keystone League.
Let’s catch up with Ryan Copenhaver, who torched Class A pitching last year (.330-13-62 in 82 games.). Moving up to AA this year, he’s off to another good start (.294-8-24) and is progressing just as the Mountaineers hoped he would. He should make his KL debut in September, if not sooner.
10. WASHINGTON GENERALS: LHP Bill McNiven
There is probably no true ace starter in this year’s draft class, but the Generals like the poise, maturity, and strength of this 21-year-old lefty. He possesses a power arsenal—fastball, slider, and splitter—and he keeps the ball down in the strike zone consistently. McNiven’s solid 6’1”, 210-pound frame will withstand a heavy workload, and the Generals believe he’ll develop into a workhorse who will solidify the middle of their rotation. They can afford to be patient with him, so he’ll start out with Class A Waynesburg.
Let’s catch up with Ashton MacAndeoir, who is moving steadily through the Generals system. Now he’s at AA Greensburg, where he’s hitting .276 with a .430 OBP. His ability to play every infield position and his hard-nosed playing style should earn him a ticket to Washington before long.
11. LANCASTER RED ROSES: OF Roando Chambergo
This 23-year-old grew up in Pittsburgh, the son of Cuban immigrants who fled Castro’s regime a decade ago. Since graduating from high school, Roando has worked in a tool and die shop while playing semi-pro baseball, and his quick lefthanded bat caught the eye of a number of Keystone League scouts. Chambergo’s swing has a natural lift that enables him to hit the ball out of the park, and he makes contact often enough that he should hit .275 or so in his prime. His bat will be his ticket to professional success, however; he is a below-average fielder with a suspect throwing arm. The Reds have assigned him to their Class A affiliate at Ephrata.
Let’s catch up with George MacFater, who sulked when he was reassigned to AA after hitting .332 there last season. After being reassured he was still in the Red Roses’ plans, MacFater began playing better, and his batting average is up to .265. MacFater is hitting for more power, and has walked more than he’s struck out.
12. BETHLEHEM STEELERS: RHP Dan Mullock
The Steelers have been extremely successful with the pitchers they’ve selected in the first round, and they think they have another winner in Mullock. Tall (6’7”) and athletic, Mullock spurned basketball scholarship offers from Temple, St. Joseph’s, and Villanova. Despite his size, Mullock is not an overpowering pitcher, relying instead on his excellent control. He projects as a third or fourth starter or a reliable reliever, and the Steelers will use him in both roles as he develops. Mullock will report to Emmaus, the Steelers’ Class A affiliate.
Let’s catch up with Dave Warner, who has suddenly emerged as one of the best outfield prospects in the Keystone League. Not expected to hit with much power, Warner has started to drive the ball with authority (8 homers for Emmaus), and he’s hitting well over .300. He’s 23, so he’ll have to demonstrate his ability to hit better pitching before long, but his future looks very bright.