AWN WEEKLY
January 7-14, 1987
Tri-State Empire Baseball League Inaugural Draft A Success
January 10, 1897 -- The TSEBL held its inaugural draft and league officials are proud to announce that every player drafted has agreed to participate in the "World's First Professional Baseball League."
The first selection was made by the Hoboken Metropolitans. They selected
Manuel Hernandez, a 24 year old hard-throwing left handed starting pitcher from Brentwood, Tennessee.
Hernandez is expected to open the season as the ace and leader of the Metropolitans.
"Our scouts believe he has the chemical make-up to be a dominant pitcher," said GM Kane Janke. "He consistently throws in the low-to-mid 90's and he has a nasty splitter he can use in all counts to induce ground balls.
"He's going to be successful. We have no doubts about that."
The Brooklyn Grays had the second pick in the draft and also selected a left handed starting pitcher in
Esteban Roman. The 26 year old Virginia Beach native features the same pitch repertoire as Hernandez, but throws softer.
"What impressed us the most about Roman is his ability to use his changeup and curveball to force grounders," manager Keith Hernandez said. "He doesn't throw particularly hard, but he knows how to use what he's got."
The rest of the first round saw four other pitchers get selected around two second basemen.
The New York Mutuals: SP Mike Cook
Newark Stars: SP Vicente Martínez
Hartford Dark Blues: SP Robert Scott
Lincoln Giants: 2B Donald Page
Brooklyn Wonders: SP Jorge Ortíz
New York Highlanders: 2B Mark Crosby
Spring training begins March 2. AWN's coverage of the TSEBL will continue January 28th with the first of 8 team previews.
Pick up the January 28-February 4 issue for a full team preview of the Hoboken Metropolitans.
Future issues will feature the following:
Feb 4-11 Brooklyn Grays Team Preview
Feb 11-18 New York Mutuals Team Preview
Feb 18-25 Newark Stars Team Preview
Feb 25-March 4 Hartford Dark Blues Team Preview
March 4-11 Lincoln Giants Team Preview
Mar 11-18 Brooklyn Wonders Team Preview
Mar 18-25 New York Highlanders Team Preview
Mar 25-April 1 TSEBL Opening Day Preview