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ayaghmour2 · 07-14-2022, 09:35 PM

1st Round, 13th Overall: RHP Tommy Seymour
School: Olathe
1942: N/A
Career: N/A

This was a really tough pick for me. I really liked the top end of the draft, and I thought picking 13th there was a shot I'd end up with one of mine or my scouts top picks. Instead, 10 of the top 11 players on Tom Weinstock's list were already selected, with the remaining guy #9. I don't think he's first round worthy, as did everyone else, and I'm debating if I want to take him with my second rounder or hope that he lasts until the regional round. I eventually settled on making a selection that I have never done in the Winter draft; take a player without stats.

Our first round selection will be a 17-year-old righty who won't turn 18 until August, and was one of the ~90 prospects that were generated right before the draft, who will get their first line of stats this June. A skinny six foot righty out of Manhattan, Kansas; Tommy Seymour. A three pitch pitcher, Seymour is a soft tosser for the moment, with his fastball sitting in just the 83-85 range. Of course, most young pitchers eventually start throwing harder, and you don't have to look any further the U.S. Marine Corps very own Duke Bybee. Currently the #6 prospect in all of baseball, when Bybee was 17, he too was throwing 83-85, but the now 20-year-old southpaw is lighting up the radar gun and topping out at 97. Of course, I'm not saying that's Seymour's future; Bybee is a crazy hard worker and team captain who is more-or-less the perfect mold of a pitching prospect, but there is a ton to like about Seymour. Even though Weinstock isn't the biggest fan of his upside, he raves about his elite change up and he thinks the splitter and fastball are decent too. Add in great movement, and while not a groundballer, he won't give up many home runs. Next sim I'll have a fresh scouting report of Seymour (of course he has to have 2 days left...), and since Tom's accuracy on him is "Very Low" I'm not sold on him just being a spot starter.

OSA raves about the young hurler, labeling his change as "off the charts" and his splitter as "excellent." The scouting bureau raves about his strike throwing ability and movement as well, projecting him to easily front a team's rotation. I'm really betting on their version of reality, and since I couldn't access Plan A through I, I'm willing to role the dice on a young pitcher who can join our already elite collection of young aces. The only concern, besides the obvious risk that comes with drafting young high school pitchers, as well as the conflict in Europe, is his rather cryptic personality. I get slight Billy Hunter vibes from seeing "Much of what happens in his career arc will be up to him," but I do my absolute best to stack the farm with good personalities, and cut bait with potential bad influences. Behind the captain Bybee, La Crosse currently has eight other leaders, and that's exactly where Seymour will start his minor league career. If we can get him on the right track, and instill some work ethic into the talented teen, the sky truly could be the limit.

07-14-2022, 09:35 PM	#847
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,011	1943 Draft: Round 1 1st Round, 13th Overall: RHP Tommy Seymour School: Olathe 1942: N/A Career: N/A This was a really tough pick for me. I really liked the top end of the draft, and I thought picking 13th there was a shot I'd end up with one of mine or my scouts top picks. Instead, 10 of the top 11 players on Tom Weinstock's list were already selected, with the remaining guy #9. I don't think he's first round worthy, as did everyone else, and I'm debating if I want to take him with my second rounder or hope that he lasts until the regional round. I eventually settled on making a selection that I have never done in the Winter draft; take a player without stats. Our first round selection will be a 17-year-old righty who won't turn 18 until August, and was one of the ~90 prospects that were generated right before the draft, who will get their first line of stats this June. A skinny six foot righty out of Manhattan, Kansas; Tommy Seymour. A three pitch pitcher, Seymour is a soft tosser for the moment, with his fastball sitting in just the 83-85 range. Of course, most young pitchers eventually start throwing harder, and you don't have to look any further the U.S. Marine Corps very own Duke Bybee. Currently the #6 prospect in all of baseball, when Bybee was 17, he too was throwing 83-85, but the now 20-year-old southpaw is lighting up the radar gun and topping out at 97. Of course, I'm not saying that's Seymour's future; Bybee is a crazy hard worker and team captain who is more-or-less the perfect mold of a pitching prospect, but there is a ton to like about Seymour. Even though Weinstock isn't the biggest fan of his upside, he raves about his elite change up and he thinks the splitter and fastball are decent too. Add in great movement, and while not a groundballer, he won't give up many home runs. Next sim I'll have a fresh scouting report of Seymour (of course he has to have 2 days left...), and since Tom's accuracy on him is "Very Low" I'm not sold on him just being a spot starter. OSA raves about the young hurler, labeling his change as "off the charts" and his splitter as "excellent." The scouting bureau raves about his strike throwing ability and movement as well, projecting him to easily front a team's rotation. I'm really betting on their version of reality, and since I couldn't access Plan A through I, I'm willing to role the dice on a young pitcher who can join our already elite collection of young aces. The only concern, besides the obvious risk that comes with drafting young high school pitchers, as well as the conflict in Europe, is his rather cryptic personality. I get slight Billy Hunter vibes from seeing "Much of what happens in his career arc will be up to him," but I do my absolute best to stack the farm with good personalities, and cut bait with potential bad influences. Behind the captain Bybee, La Crosse currently has eight other leaders, and that's exactly where Seymour will start his minor league career. If we can get him on the right track, and instill some work ethic into the talented teen, the sky truly could be the limit.