It's time once again for the annual draft recap, where we take a look back on the players selected in the preseason draft and how they're progressing.
1. SS
Ryan Traore, Deepvale Ferrymen.
Traore started the season on the bench in Deepvale, but has since moved into a platoon role, starting against RHP at third base, a position he has more range at. He's not hitting particularly well yet (.181/.257/.232), but his plate discipline appears solid and he's stolen 5 bases in 7 attempts. The Ferrymen think he's developing nicely, and they appear committed to keeping him in the lineup.
2. 2B
Will Monroe, Lorris Greens
With the Greens challenging for the top spot in the standings, they're being patient with their top prospect. Monroe is holding his own at Class A Fanning Island, hitting .273/.360/.364 with a pair of homers in 176 AB. Neither of Lorris's second basemen are world-beaters, so if Monroe continues to progress, he might just get that shot at the big time he's expecting.
3. SP
Darius McKie, Tifton Generals
It's hard to figure out what the Generals are doing with McKie. The big right-hander was pitching very well at Class B, 5-5 with a 1.61 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, including a pair of shutouts in May. Then on June 25th, the Generals sent him down to Class C. Not much of a surprise that in his first start down there, he tossed a 2-hit, no walk, 8 strikeout gem. Scouts are raving about his work ethic, and to McKie's credit, he went out on the mound and showed he wasn't happy about the demotion, rather than shooting his mouth off. He'll be back up, but no one's saying why he's down there in the first place.
4. SP
Garrett Rush, Gentry Hills Scouts
Rush got the call up to the Scouts on June 20th when
Jon Britton went on the DL. He was placed in the bullpen, but hasn't made his Bay League debut yet. He didn't set Class A on fire, but he turned in a solid performance for the Valerma Wranglers while he was there: 3-5, 3.69 ERA, 1.39 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 20 walks. Just 18 years old, he'll probably head back down where he can get more innings.
5. SP
Tyran Rowe, Allison Spelunkers
Rowe is an enigma. His performance at Class B is indicative of a dominant performance: 2-5, 1.03 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 25 K against 10 walks. Yet if you talk to Allison insiders, they're not sure he's quite as good a talent as they first thought. What becomes of Rowe is a tossup at this point. Some scouts think he's still got every bit of the talent the Spelunkers thought they were getting, while others think his performance won't translate well as he climbs through the organization.
6. LF
Michael Thomas, drafted by the Marsein Knights
Thomas never got an at-bat in the Marsein organization, as he was included in the big trade that sent
Robbie Isenhour to Elliott Springs for
Greg Williams. The 23-year old Thomas is at Class A Land's Edge, where he's not hitting well at all (.197/.220/.250), batting 8th in the lineup and playing left field. He doesn't look like a player with a lot of upside, but he might turn into a 4th or 5th outfielder... if he were in an organization with less depth than Elliott Springs.
7. CF
Brett White, Silver Beach Whales
White is up with the Whales, but he's only picked up 4 AB this season and has a double to his credit. He could use a little more playing time if the Whales want him to develop into anything. He's not helping much riding the pine in the Bay League.
8. 1B
Ronell Green, Elliott Springs Tornadoes
Green has impressed the Tornadoes with a strong debut at Class A Land's Edge, hitting .343/.383/.463, but they're a little concerned about his plate discipline: just 7 walks against 20 strikeouts in 108 AB. They've got plenty of time to teach him whatever skills they believe him deficient in, with the strongest organization in the Bay League not in need of a new big league first baseman any time in the near future.