[ayaghmour2]

Haven't had much to post about, but with the draft starting tomorrow, I thought I'd cover the current first round of the OSA Mock Draft. I generally don't use the Mock Draft feature, but with no more feeders, I'll at least look at it throughout the draft. Here is who OSA projects to be the first 16 picks in the 1934 draft. This will be my 10th draft with the Chicago Cougars.

C Woody Stone
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Dunlap (TN)
Commit School: College of San Diego
.541/.586/.806, 116 PA, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 2.7 WAR

An Illinois kid projected to go number one! The River Grove native doesn't live in Illinois anymore, but instead flourished as the starting catcher for Dunlap. He had an excellent season at the plate, ranking second for all catchers in average and first in OBP, slugging, and OPS. My scout likes him, raving about his pitch recognition abilities and strong contact tools. He's good defensively behind the plate, but I guess he does not have much of an arm. I think he's going to be one of the better catchers in the league, a position that there is not too much talent at.

C Adam Mullins
Class Year: COL Junior
School: Eastern Oklahoma
.317/.413./460, 189 PA, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 15 SB, 1.2 WAR

While his numbers don't look as good as Stone's, Mullins had "Great" competition at Eastern Oklahoma, but had the least amount of games for the 9 other junior catchers. He did have the best batting line by a mile, but Mullins hasn't showed much power. The 22-year-old is already a leader on his college team and projects to be a strong hitter. Like Stone, he should have an excellent eye and you can't go wrong with either player. Stone has the upside, but Mullins could start in an FABL lineup in just a season or two. There are a few really good catchers in this pool, but I like some of the other upcoming guys more then these two catchers.

CF Bennie Griffith
Class Year: COL Junior
School: All Hallows
.323/.416/.617, 234 PA, 11 HR, 32 SB, 48 RBI, 2.4 WAR

There are a few players who had a more impressive season then Bennie Griffith. The junior was a relative unknown until this year, but with an impressive showing at the plate and in the field Griffith vaulted his way up to the top 5. Griffith's speed is unmatched and it translates to the field as well. He'll track down every ball hit out in center and has the skill to stick up the middle. At the plate, he's got really impressive power and he'll hit for a high average as well. He's one of the most valuable players in this class, and whoever gets him is in for a treat.

CF Lew Seals
Class Year: COL Junior
School: Bluegrass State
.283/.379/.496, 264 PA, 8 HR, 37 SB, 38 RBI, 1.4 WAR

Another center fielder and another Illinois native, Lew Seals is another really talented prospect. The Bluegrass State star didn't have as great of a line, but he faced tougher competition then Griffith did. Seals also has experience at left, right, first and second, but he's a center fielder with excellent range and he can track down anything. He'll steal a ton of bases and hit a few homers as well. It's really a coin flip between him and Griffith, but it is nice to see a lot of talented center fielders at the top of this class.

LF Bob Donohue
Class Year: COL Junior
School: Iowa A&M
.317/.420/.579, 264 PA, 15 HR, 11 SB, 50 RBI, 2.6 WAR

He's been my scouts favorite since day one, but I cannot see myself taking a corner outfielder with my first pick. But, "Mr. Clout" may be the best offensive player in the entire pool. This kid absolutely rakes and has record setting power potential. He'll draw a ton of walks and he routinely puts the ball in play. With strong competition he put up gaudy numbers and led the entire NAIA with 15 homers. With all that being said, he doesn't have much value on defense and is pretty much stuck in left field. Regardless, he's going to be one of the best hitters we see and it shouldn't be too long before he's in the FABL.

SS Charlie Artuso
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Lebanon (TN)
Commit School: Coastal State
.477/.528/.720, 128 PA, 2 HR, 23 SB, 31 RBI, 2.2 WAR

He might be my favorite player in the pool, but that might be because I am so desperately searching for a shortstop. Charlie Artuso looks to be the best available, and the Lebanon, Tennessee native had a strong Senior year. He's got excellent range out at short and he's smart and fast enough to steal a ton of bases. Power isn't his game, but he'll get his share of doubles and almost never strikes out. He has the arm for third, but I think he's actually better suited for short. He's just 5'6'', but at 19 he has time to grow and with that add more power. He's one of my favorites, but I can't imagine him falling to us.

SP Bobo White
Class Year: COL Junior
School: St. Blane College
9-5, 2.78 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 126.1 IP, 35 BB, 82 K, 3.5 WAR

This kid is easily the best player in the pool and who I would take #1, but the mock draft refuses to ever rank pitchers early. Regardless, the soon to be 21-year-old Bobo White had a strong junior season and looks poised to be one of the first few picks in the draft this year. He sits in the high 80s with his fastball and cutter, with the cutter his most reliable pitch. He also boasts a curve and change and he locates all four pitches with excellent precision. He racked up strikeouts all year and ranked 4th in the NAIA for ERA. He's probably the top prospect in any organization and he should be among one of the best pitchers in the game.

CF Fred Galloway
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Evansville (IN)
Commit School: Central Kentucky
.515/.617/.737, 130 PA, 1 HR, 23 SB, 29 RBI, 2.8 WAR

A member of the .500 club, there are very few players in the pool with a higher upside then Fred Galloway. He's a tiny little guy, just 5'5'' 140, but he's an above average defender out in center who can get on and steal bases. He struck out just 5 times all year and walked 27 times. With all the tools he has, the only thing in his way is time. Whoever takes him will have to wait a bit for him to develop, but he's as good as it gets.

RF Dan Rogers
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Canton South (OH)
Commit School: Topeka State
.512/.584/.1.060, 101 PA, 9 HR, 14 SB, 36 RBI, 3.0 WAR

Only one draft eligible player, first basemen Sig Stofer (1.669) had an OPS better then Dan Roger's 1.644. He managed to knock out 9 longballs in just 20 games while averaging a hit every other at bat. "Handsome Dan" can handle first and all three outfield spots, but right field looks like the best spot for him. He's got great bat speed and strong power, and even with his young age, he seems to be pretty developed at the plate. If he's taken in the first round, I can't see him not signing, but there is a good change if he falls out he'll head to college. I can't see him getting passed the first round as his offensive talent is unmatched. Of course, he's young and has a lot of risk, but he seems rather safe.

SS Jim Hensley
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Walton (NY)
Commit School: Chesapeake State
.464/.534/.714, 104 PA, 1 HR, 11 SB, 26 RBI, 1.8 WAR

A decent consolation prize for those targeting Artuso, but Jim Hensley should still be a first round pick. He's got a strong glove too with a quick bat and a knack for making hard contact. He's got a good eye and decent speed despite not having too much power. He won't ever hit many homers, so for him it's imperative to excel defensively at short. I do like his potential with the bat, so he could eventually move over to second if needed, but I'm betting on Hensley becoming a future big league shortstop.

LF Art Cascone
Class Year: COL Junior
School: Bigsby College
.299/.424/.466, 270 PA, 8 HR, 46 RBI, 1.9 WAR

I'm not sure he's first round worthy, but the Brooklyn native Art Cascone does look like a good future piece. He's got decent power and can fill in at first, left, center, or right. He should be a strong corner player, but I'm not too sure if he'll end up being any better then average at center. He does do a good job working the count and drawing walks and as a lefty hitter he has value there too. He'll be 21 in four days, but probably won't need to spend much time in the minors.

CF Carlos Montes
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Citronelle (AL)
Commit School: Carbondale
.443/.527/.745, 131 PA, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 2.3 WAR

One of my favorites in the pool, I think he'd rank much higher in a regular season, but there are so many good center fielders. The Cuban native Carlos Montes moved to the states as a kid and settled down in Alabama. He was the star centerfielder for the Citronelle baseball team and projects to be a first round selection this year. He has a lot of talent out in center, but also has the ability to play left, right, first, and second. His speed is elite and he can stretch singles into doubles. He works the plate well and consistently puts the ball in play. He reminds me a lot of Jose Serna, who I still think can be a quality big league center fielder. Montes has a lot of potential, and although extremely raw, I think he'll be a franchise centerfielder in five or six seasons.

CF Earl West
Class Year: HS Senior
School: St. Peter's Boys (NY)
Commit School: White Sands University
.448/.524/.667, 126 PA, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 34 SB, 2.0 WAR

Yet another center fielder! And he's from Chicago! Born on Christmas Eve, the still 18-year-old West is a tiny speedster with excellent defensive potential out in center. He's an average contact hitter, but he almost never strikes out. With all the other talented center fielders, it may be hard for West to be a first round selection. The only reason I would be interested in him would be because of his hometown, but I can't see myself taking him in the first round. Still, he could be a future big leaguer and he won't stay available for too long.

2B Joe Nichols
Class Year: COL Junior
School: Golden Gate University
.300/.401/.438, 257 PA, 2 HR, 44 RBI, 36 SB, 1.3 WAR

Back to the college ranks for one of the old feeder players Joe Nichols. He had a decent junior season and still looks to be a potential first round pick. He should be an above average hitter who won't make too many mistakes in the field. His range and arm are okay, but not what you look for in a shortstop. He's a smart hitter who walked more then three times as much as he struck out and he'll steal a ton of bases too. I think Nicholas has a lot of talent and while not quite a Freddie Jones type player, they do share some similarities.

RF Ruben Sanchez
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Hamilton (CA)
Commit School: Indiana A&M
.500/.540/.855, 125 PA, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 31 SB, 2.8 WAR

A Tijuana native, "The Tijuana Cannon" has spent most of his life out in California and this kid reminds me of Tom Taylor. He's got a great arm in right and a lot of speed and probably could have played center in high school too. He doesn't have nearly as much power, but but he will hit home runs and should always have good pitch recognition skills. He's got quick hands and almost never strikes out. He should be a big league starter and potentially one of the better outfielders of his time.

SS Lew McClendon
Class Year: HS Senior
School: Nicholls (LA)
Commit School: Gates University
.465/.545/.698, 103 PA, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 1.8 WAR

Rounding out the first 16 is another shortstop. The lefty hitting Lew McClendon is the third in this years projected first round, but while my scout thinks he'll stick at shortstop, I'm not convinced yet. He does have above average contact potential and while he won't hit many homers, he should find the gaps quite a bit.

I'm excited to start the draft tomorrow and hopefully select a few impactful players. We've had our share of really strong drafts, and with 1935 next season, I can do a 10 season recap of my first ever draft class. The 1925 class had some big leaguers, including longtime Cougar Bill Ashbaugh and current Cougar Clyde Hinzman.