Two big-name Marquees including one of our all-time greats join the league, along with four top-notch Legacy Players.
These are the Legacy Players for the 1955 Season:
Baltimore Orioles: Brooks Robinson (78.5; 2896 – one-club player) MARQUEE 100%
Pittsburgh Pirates: Roberto Clemente (94.8; 2433 – one-club player) MARQUEE 100%
Brooklyn Dodgers: Sandy Koufax (48.9; 397 – one-club player)
Detroit Tigers: Jim Bunning (59.3; 304)
New York Yankees: Clete Boyer (27.6; 1068)
St. Louis Cardinals: Ken Boyer (62.8; 1667)
Larry Jackson (52.0; 330) was also eligible for the Cardinals, but Ken Boyer’s higher WAR makes him the selection.
Elston Howard (27.0; 1492) was also eligible for the Cardinals, but Clete Boyer’s higher WAR makes him the selection.
There are 137 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 8 rounds.
The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1954 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):
Round 1
1. Pittsburgh Pirates (344)
2. Baltimore Orioles (351)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (468)
4. Detroit Tigers (442)
5. Brooklyn Dodgers (597)
6. New York Yankees (669)
7. Kansas City Athletics (331)
8. Chicago Cubs (416)
9. Washington Senators (429)
10. Boston Red Sox (448)
11. Cincinnati Redlegs (481)
12. Philadelphia Phillies (487)
13. Milwaukee Braves (578)
14. Chicago White Sox (610)
15. New York Giants (630)
16. Cleveland Indians (721)
Rounds 2 thru 8
1. Kansas City Athletics (331)
2. Pittsburgh Pirates (344)
3. Baltimore Orioles (351)
4. Chicago Cubs (416)
5. Washington Senators (429)
6. Detroit Tigers (442)
7. Boston Red Sox (448)
8. St. Louis Cardinals (468)
9. Cincinnati Redlegs (481)
10. Philadelphia Phillies (487)
11. Milwaukee Braves (578)
12. Brooklyn Dodgers (597)
13. Chicago White Sox (610)
14. New York Giants (630)
15. New York Yankees (669)
16. Cleveland Indians (721)
Plenty of buzz around our club on the eve of the Draft—understandably so, given who is soon to be joining us. Still, there’s plenty of other work to be done as we try to reposition ourselves ahead of the anticipated turnover among our group, and we view this as one of the most important Drafts for us in recent memory.
In the end, here’s who we take – please welcome our new recruits:
1.
OF Roberto Clemente, 20- The timing of Arriba’s arrival couldn’t be much better for us really, with Kiner out of contract next year and almost certainly to be let walk. The extra bonus with Roberto is his defence, undeniably elite, and with Jimmy Piersall in CF and Diering floating around in the background we are certainly on an upswing in this regard. A franchise-changing add.
2.
C Pete Daley, 24- More for tomorrow than today, although he looks ready. We’re fairly thin here and with the Burgess move almost a given we needed the reinforcement, even though he’s more a backup than everyday type.
3.
P Tom Sturdivant, 24
4.
P Frank Baumann, 21- A close call between Tom and Hank Aguirre, but this time I opt for the full press and put the short-term ahead of the long-. Tom projects to be a solid low-spin / spot starter but I think will be more use in a stopper role for now. Frank is a slightly later, slightly lesser version thereof who we’ll stash at AAA for now.
5.
IF Kenny Kuhn, 17
6.
OF Tex Nelson, 18
7.
SS Alex George, 16
8.
P Mike Kume, 28
Obviously a really nice Draft for us.
FULL DRAFT LOG
