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Lancaster Journal
June 7, 1898
RED ROSES EMPHASIZE PITCHING IN DRAFT
Eight Moundsmen Chosen
First Round Pick Is Promising First Baseman Porter
READING--The Red Roses stocked their pantry with a fresh crop of young pitchers in yesterday's First-Year Player Draft. Among the fifteen players chosen were eight twirlers. The club appears to be committed to improving the quality of the young arms in the team's farm system, which has not been known for producing top-notch pitchers in recent years.
The team's first round pick was, however, not a pitcher, but a first baseman who promises to give other teams' moundsmen a rough time. Roy Porter, age 18, hails from Madisontown. He is a strapping left-handed batsman with a smooth swing. As a high school senior, Porter hit seven home runs in 22 games.
"Porter has a lot to learn," said team owner Hal Guy. "That is to be expected, since he is still a teenager."
The Red Roses will assign Porter to their Class A affiliate in Fox Chapel. There, he will join a Foxes club that is playing .500 ball, and it is hoped that the addition of players like Roy will soon have them challenging for a spot in the league playoffs.
There is some question about whether or not Porter will immediately sign his contract and begin his professional career. It is said that he is considering college instead; he has been accepted at Madison College and might begin there in the fall. Were he to play for Fox Chapel, or any other minor professional nine, he would forfeit the opportunity to suit up for Madison...
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