[ayaghmour2]

9th Round, 141st Overall: RHP Ray Warren
School: Westminster Warriors
1945: 5-1, 66.2 IP, 1.48 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 16 BB, 79 K
Career: 20-2, 1 SV, 262 IP, 1.61 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 64 BB, 328 K

The first of two pitchers in the 9th Round, Ray Warren is probably the lesser one. A four year starter at Westminster, Warren never started more then nine of his appearances, finishing with 33 starts and 25 relief outings. The lack of stamina makes it seem like his future is in the pen, but so does his overall talent. He's a skinny soft tosser who likely won't ever throw hard, but his teammates from high school were always learning the art of pitching from him. That alone will help him stick, but the 17-year-old really isn't that bad. A potential spot starter, he hasn't mastered command of his arsenal, but his curve has a nice shape and his change up could be average. It may be tough for him to pitch his way into a rotation, but he'll hang around for a while due to his intangibles. Warren will start his pro career as our stopper, and he's second in line for starts if rotation spots open.

9th Round, 143rd Overall: RHP Wally Eversole
School: Centreville Choctaws
1945: 9-2, 106 IP, 1.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 48 BB, 167 K
Career: 27-2, 296.2 IP, 1.58 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 107 BB, 445 K

The numbers may not look it, but Eversole has a more promising future then Warren. Ranked 37th in our system and 481st overall, Eversole isn't a star by any means, but he started all 42 of his appearances and he finished an impressive 27-2 in just shy of 300 innings for the Choctaws. He's observed gains in the velocity department in each of the last two Junes, sitting at 90-92 with his cutter. It's one of four potentially big league quality pitches, but the best projects to be his curve. Eversole will get some starts for the Lions to start the season, and if he can iron out some of his control issues, he could be a decent rotation filler. I'm excited to see how he performs this season, but he may be one of the guys fighting for a rotation spot this time next year when the next crop of Cougars files in.

10th Round, 158th Overall: 1B Cal Rice
School: Farmington Tigers
1945: .490/.534/.810, 116 PA, 17 2B, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 10 SB
Career: .475/.524/.816, 353 PA, 45 2B, 4 3B, 17 HR, 101 RBI, SB

This could end up being the steal of the draft. I'm not sure if he fell because he was a first basemen, or because he had a huge talent jump between January and July, but Cal Rice is a really good hitter. The 17-year-old hit .490 as a senior after launching 8 homers as a junior, and he doubled 17 times in each of the last two seasons. The power is legit, and has the potential to be well above average. He's shown an above average hit tool as well, and while he may never be a big walk guy, he had far more of them (39) then strikeouts (16). Rice is an imposing figure at the plate, as the lefty stands 6'3'' and is 200 pounds of muscle with plenty of time to get stronger. He's now instantly our best first base prospect, and ranks 21st in our system and 284th overall. His competition may end up being Top 50 prospect Otto Christian, who may have to transition to first due to fellow Top 50 prospect George Sutterfield's far superior glove. Tom Weinstock thinks Rice could end up an above average every day player, and I think he's on to something. This was a solid snag by him, and I'm glad he lasted through the round he wanted to select only pitchers. He's got a long road ahead of him, but it's nice being able to grab a quality first basemen with a very low draft pick.

10th Round, 159th Overall: 2B Woody Patterson
School: Goshen Bruins
1945: .398/.489/.673, 138 PA, 8 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 32 SB
Career: .398/.489/.673, 138 PA, 8 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 32 SB

They can't all be great! Despite being one pick after Rice, Woody Patterson isn't on the same planet. Sure, the 5 homers are nice, but his extra base hit total matched Rice's double total and he failed to hit .400 in his lone season as a starter. He's moody and a sore loser, which is not the type of player I'd want to get with a 10th Round pick. He does have a decent swing and is quick, but he doesn't project to hit for much power. Patterson could develop into a second division starter, but I don't think he'll get the at bats to make that potential a reality.

11th Round, 175th Overall: LHP Frankie Bell
School: Copley Cougars
1945: 6-3, 82.2 IP, 1.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 21 BB, 102 K
Career: 6-3, 82.2 IP, 1.96 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 21 BB, 102 K

From one Cougars to another, Frankie Bell left Copley High School in Boston where his school mascot was a Cougar. He pitched just one season there, barely keeping his ERA below 2. The 18-year-old southpaw has a few weaknesses, starting with being a flyball pitcher and a lack of a wipeout pitch, but he's the rare breed of pitcher who throws a sinker that doesn't generate groundballs. His stuff is nothing more then average, and the tiny 5'6'' lefty likely won't ever throw too hard. He'll fill our pen for now, but I'm not sure there's much of a future for Bell.

12th Round, 191st Overall: C Bobby Beavers
School: Belton Cardinals
1945: .432/.531/.667, 99 PA, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 7 SB
Career: .418/.514/.633, 217 PA, 20 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 52 RBI, 14 SB

In a pool with plenty of talented catchers, it's no surprise there were some good ones left over. Beavers didn't impress too much in his two seasons at Belton, but he's got a solid eye and some pop. A reverse Harry Mead, Beavers is the more typical lefty batter, righty thrower, and with his strength he could develop power similar to Mead's. He needs to work on his hit tool or his glove, and he could develop into an average big league catcher. He'll start on the bench, as Alex O'Dailey is far more exciting, but with his age he'll hang around long enough to work his way into a Lions lineup. He's got plenty of developing ahead of him, but Beavers is good for the clubhouse, and that's a plus for anyone trying to secure a depth spot.

13th Round, 207th Overall: CF Jimmie Overton
School: Frostburg Falcons
1945: .451/.491/.618, 113 PA, 9 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 18 SB
Career: .465/.514/.666, 451 PA, 44 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 120 RBI, 36 SB

Hometown kid! Well, sort of. Jimmie Overton was born in Chicago, but he spent his high school years in Maryland and was a four year starter for the Frostburg Falcons. Overton earned the nickname "Eagle Eye" and the 18-year-old drew more walks (39) then strikeouts (22). He has a decent combination of bat speed and barrel control, but he doesn't scream big league ready. He is cool under pressure and may be able to handle all three outfield spots, so he could end up a useful late game piece. I can't envision him every playing regularly, but sometimes Chicagoans go on to have 3 homer weeks for the Cougars!

14th Round, 223rd Overall: RHP Fred Poster
School: Huntington State Miners
1945: 3-6, 93.1 IP, 5.01 ERA, 1.91 WHIP, 92 BB, 91 K
Career (HS): 7-2, 99.1 IP, 1.77 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 39 BB, 119 K
Career (COL): 12-23, 339.2 IP, 5.03 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 295 BB, 301 K

One of the rare college draftees in a high school dominated class, Poster was a three year starter for Huntington State who was not all that effective. Originally a 14th Round Pick of the Gothams in 1942, Poster dropped a few spots down this season as he really struggled at school. Poster's only season with a sub 5 ERA was the 4.90 he put up as a junior, and he once again walked more hitters then he struck out. He walks far too many batters to make his strikeouts useful, but he's a kitchen sink kind of guy who can throw six pitches. His curve may be the best, as it has excellent 12-6 movement. Besides that, he's nothing too special, so if you sit curve, you'll probably walk or get hit. His time in the organization may be short lived, but he'll be a decent pen filler for now.

15th Round, 239th Overall: LHP Al LaRose
School: Moss Point Hornets
1945: 8-1, 94.2 IP, 2.38 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 48 BB, 102 K
Career: 24-6, 311 IP, 2.49 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 122 BB, 313 K

Another lefty from high school, Al LaRose was a three year starter for Moss Point, but failed his 2.38 ERA was actually a career best. He's allowed too many runs so far and his walk numbers went the wrong direction. He'll turn 18 in a bit more then a week, and despite standing at 6'4'' his cutter tops out at 85. His height and arm will help him stick around, but I'm not getting my hopes up here. It's unlikely he'll ever see a major league bullpen, let alone roster, but with some hard work he could be a useful roster filler to eat innings that need to be eaten up.

16th Round, 255th Overall: RHP Jack Hart
School: Jordan Bulldogs
1945: 6-3, 97 IP, 2.97 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 35 BB, 100 K
Career: 27-12, 417.1 IP, 2.67 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 148 BB, 399 K

A four year starter at Jordan, Jack Hunt also failed to get his ERA below 2, as his 2.43 mark last season was a personal best. 19 in September, he's on the older side for a prep prospect, which will work against him in the long run. He'll be pushed up quicker then most, and since he's not all that promising of a pitcher, it won't matter too much if he's not ready. His complacency will work against him as well, as he doesn't have the motivation to develop three big league pitches. Likely suited for the pen, his best shot is to attack hitters with his high 80s sinker and fastball, as the change doesn't move nearly enough to be effective.

17th Round, 271st Overall: SS Art Whisenant
School: New Market Bucks
1945: .422/.519/.606, 138 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 6 SB
Career: .422/.519/.606, 138 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 6 SB

Our first shortstop of the AI portion, Art only played as a senior, and he didn't hit all that much. Despite that, he did show some versatility, appearing at second, third, and his primary position of short, and he gave his team quality at bats. He doesn't always make good contact, but he lays off the tough pitches and will draw his share of walks. Intelligent and well-spoken, Whisenant had a commanding presence as captain of the New Market team, and he could develop into a captain off the bench. He profiles as a utility man, but his leadership could make him an integral member of a big league bench.

18th Round, 287th Overall: RHP Frank Kelly
School: Cumberland University Explorers
1945: 4-6, 95 IP, 5.87 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, 69 BB, 43 K
Career: 8-13, 195.1 IP, 5.48 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 135 BB, 87

A two year starter at Cumberland University, Frank Kelly wasn't all that effective, with an ERA above five in both of his seasons. He also walked more hitters then he struck out, and allowed nearly two batters to reach per inning. He's another weird sinker baller who allows a lot of flyballs, but that's more because it's not a very good pitch. To be fair, none of the four are, but he's a hard worker who's always in the gym, and gives it his best even if he's not. He'll start his minor league career in San Jose, and with no red arrow down, he has a good shot of working his way up a rather thin relief corpse.

19th Round, 303rd Overall: SS Heinie Kaczorowski
School: Freeport Yellowjackets
1945: .400/.522/.533, 115 PA, 7 2B, 3B, HR, 22 RBI, 2 SB
Career: .408/.520/.577, 508 PA, 40 2B, 6 3B, 5 HR, 98 RBI, 19 SB

A four year starter for Freeport, Heinie Kaczorowski was the star of campus, and he just loves being the center of attention. He won't in La Crosse, as he'll be lucky to warm the bench. He does have some value, experience at first, second, short, and right, which means at leas third and left, if not also center, seem in play. He has a good feel for the strike zone, and what he lacks for in power, he makes up with discipline. He has the tools to be a useful bench player, but he'll have to get over himself to make his big league dream to come true.

20th Round, 319th Overall: 1B Syd Jones
School: Holyoke Cougars
1945: .455/.526/.626, 461 PA, 12 2B, 3B, HR, 27 RBI, 5 SB
Career: .448/.524/.599, 461 PA, 42 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 99 RBI, 23 SB

Hey! Another Cougar! Syd was a four year starter like Heinie, but he actually produced decent numbers at the plate. Despite less career homers, Jones had a far higher OPS, and could develop into an average hitter. He'll be stuck behind Cal Rice and isn't likely to get many at bats any time soon. He has a good eye and could hit for a decent average, and while not a switch hitter, he reminds me a lot of Cuno Myer. You haven't heard much about him, but the former Cougar farmhand got my vote for All Star due to his 147 WRC+, 21 doubles, and 35 walks in 71 games for the Dynamos. Myer was a late round pick too who stick around because he always could hit. He didn't start much, but when he did he was effective, and after years of waiting he finally got a chance to play every day.

21st Round, 335th Overall: SS Chief Ward
School: Perrysburg Yellowjackets
1945: .423/.508/.529, 125 PA, 9 2B, 3B, 22 RBI, 15 SB
Career: .438/.498/.632, 514 PA, 47 2B, 7 3B, 8 HR, 121 RBI, 59 SB

Sticking with the theme, our next selection was Chief Ward, who not only was a four year starter, but a shortstop who played for the Yellowjackets, just like Heinie Kaczorowski. It was in a totally different state, but the Michigan native played pretty much every position in his 102 high school games. Ward checked in everywhere except pitcher, first, and catcher, but after hitting almost .500 as a freshman he disappointed a bit. That season he hit .496/.533/.748, with his bests in the three triple slash categories .423, .508, and .684. I like his chances to stick as a utility guy, but I'm not sure he'll ever get a shot to start in the big leagues.

22nd Round, 351st Overall: RF Hal Spyker
School: Milford Raiders
1945: .425/.520/.637, 101 PA, 7 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 2 SB
Career: .425/.520/.637, 101 PA, 7 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 2 SB

Spyker didn't play until he was a senior, and he didn't do all that much to stick out. A rather lazy corner outfielder, he's a strong lefty swinger, but his muscles are more for glamour then homers. He's a disciplined hitter, but he's rather useless in the field and he's not very fast. I doubt he'll last very long in our system, but like every one of these guys he'll get at least half the season. I'm really looking forward to next season, where he have to sign all our picks, as I could let guys like this head to college instead.

23rd Round, 367th Overall: CF Bob Peck
School: Opelika State Wildcats
1945: .285/.315/.322, 254 PA, 7 2B, 3B, 42 RBI, 40 SB
Career (HS): .433/.480/.567, 389 PA, 33 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 83 RBI, 54 SB
Career: .271/.300/.328, 794 PA, 25 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 126 RBI, 118 SB

Another "Eagle Eye," Bob Peck was drafted a round earlier this go around, as he wa a 24th selection by the Kings out of high school. Peck didn't hit for much power, but he's got blinding speed which makes me believe he'll have great range out in center. He has a decent hit tool and profiles as a 4th outfielder, due to his excellent focus, speed, and versatility. As a light hitter, it'll be tough for him to play every day, but even Cy Bryant put together a few solid seasons. He's a bit better then some of the earlier picks, but he has a much higher floor, and could probably play up in Lincoln if needed.

24th Round, 383rd Overall: SS Don Nelson
School: Mora Mustangs
1945: .422/.500/.644, 107 PA, 6 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 15 SB
Career: .422/.500/.644, 107 PA, 6 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 15 SB

He only played one season of high school ball, but the four homers Don Nelson put up were impressive. He worked his way up to varsity, and filled in where needed, playing games at second, third, short, right, and center. Left shouldn't be too hard, and even though he's under six foot, I have no doubt that he can handle first. He doesn't have a great arm, and his range may not be great, so I can't see him sticking at short. Left might end up being his best position, but we need infielders more then outfielders. Nelson won't ever hit much, but he's a useful bench tool in the lower minors.

25th Round, 399th Overall: C Lew Sullivan
School: Taft Blue Devils
1945: .407/.485/.566, 130 PA, 13 2B, 3B, HR, 30 RBI, 9 SB
Career: .394/.484/.589, 503 PA, 47 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 113 RBI, 27 SB

To round out the Class of 1945 we got a Philly born catcher who spent most of his life in the Bronx. Another four year starter, Lew finally hit over .400 as a senior, and finished his career with less then 10 high school homers. One concern is his lack of a position rating at catcher, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he's not a good defender. What he's not, is a good hitter, as he'll likely struggle with top-level pitching. His time as a pro player may be short, but for a last pick, we could have done far worse.

We had a few notable releases, including former 4th Rounder Tommy Davis, part of the Dave Rankin return George Sacchetti, and former 8th Rounders Lew Lord and Johnny Godfrey.