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ayaghmour2 · 08-04-2023, 03:12 PM

5th Round, 65th Overall: 1B John Kerr
School: Chicopee Pacers
1947: .477/.529/.693, 105 PA, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 3 SB
Career: .477/.529/.693, 105 PA, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 3 SB

We kicked off the fifth round with our first of three picks, selecting 6'4'' first basemen John Kerr out of a high school in Massachusetts. While not a typical slugging first basemen, I expect that's something that will come later for the 18-year-old. He has a strong bat, covering all quadrants of the strike zone, allowing him to drive the ball to the opposite field. He's got average pop now, even if it hasn't quite shown up in the home run department, but even some of the better sluggers didn't hit many homers when they were in their teens. As a first basemen, he's really going to need to hit to keep playing regularly. We're at an interesting time for the system as we have a few talented first basemen prospects, with both Cal Rice (113th) and Dudley Sapp (132nd) sitting in the top 150. I'm not sure Kerr will join them, but I'd be very surprised if he doesn't rank at all. He has a lot of natural talent and the build to develop into a 25+ home run hitter. Dixie thinks he'll be an above average hitter, OSA views him more as a bench bat, and I'd split the difference on those projections. His value will come from his bat, so there's plenty of risk, but I can see him being an average everyday player.

5th Round, 68th Overall: CF Doc Zimmerman
School: Bryan Rams
1947: .478/.520/.829, 127 PA, 15 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 12 SB
Career: .458/.532/.764, 257 PA, 28 2B, 8 3B, 7 HR, 65 RBI, 42 SB

I... Can't get enough! Can't get enough! Can't get enough offfffffffff these center fielders!!!

That's now three in five rounds as our middle fifth rounder went to Doc Zimmerman, who doesn't turn 17 until the 2nd of February. A Houston native, Doc spent the past two seasons patrolling center for the Bryan Rams. They have been quite different, as his first season came with a .467 average, 2 homers, and 30 steals. Year two saw him sacrifice speed for power, with just a .448 average and 12 steals while he launched 5 homers. It's more then just that, as he hit more doubles (13 to 15) and triples (3 to 5) as well while cutting his strikeout rate (4.6 to 2.4) almost in half. Dixie is a big fan of his overall game, postulating him as a "regular starter," one that I hope he means in the big leagues. He's supposed to have blazing speed as well, but the drop in stolen bases is somewhat concerning. Granted, amateur stolen base stats aren't perfect, but speed is part of what makes him so exciting. I don't expect the power to hold up against tougher competition, but he has a nice hit tool and can hit around .300. His best tool is his eye, as he should be able to walk much more then he strikes out, and every ball in play can help him reach base. With his age, he may have a slow start, but I have faith the tools are in place for Zimmerman to work his way onto a big league roster.

5th Round, 71st Overall: SS Cecil Burr
School: Anacortes Seahawks
1947: .489/.548/.728, 107 PA, 11 2B, 4 3B, HR, 25 RBI, 34 SB
Career: .489/.548/.728, 107 PA, 11 2B, 4 3B, HR, 25 RBI, 34 SB

We made it three-for-three with prep picks, finishing things off with shortstop Cecil Burr. Burr didn't join varsity until his junior season, but he hit .489 with 16 extra base hits, 37 runs scored, and 25 RBIs to go with his 1.276 OPS. These are excellent numbers from Burr, who just turned 18 on January 16th. An athletic, 6'2'' youngster, he may not stick at shortstop, and even the Seahawks gave him time at second, third, and right to keep his bat in the lineup. That's not to say Burr can't handle short, as he does have good range, but if he fills out and adds muscle he may be better suited for third or right instead. And since he hits a lot of line drives, that could coordinate to a lot of extra base hits. He has the bat to play at either spot, especially if he's also providing plus defense, as he has a good swing, makes good contact, and his speed puts pressure on the defense. Burr is the type of player I like to target, young, athletic, and high upside with the fallback of a utility player. The bat could burn out and keep him from getting past AA, but with more refinement there's a chance for this block of marble to develop into a marvelous work of art.

08-04-2023, 03:12 PM	#1175
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,066	1948 Draft: Round 5 5th Round, 65th Overall: 1B John Kerr School: Chicopee Pacers 1947: .477/.529/.693, 105 PA, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 3 SB Career: .477/.529/.693, 105 PA, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 3 SB We kicked off the fifth round with our first of three picks, selecting 6'4'' first basemen John Kerr out of a high school in Massachusetts. While not a typical slugging first basemen, I expect that's something that will come later for the 18-year-old. He has a strong bat, covering all quadrants of the strike zone, allowing him to drive the ball to the opposite field. He's got average pop now, even if it hasn't quite shown up in the home run department, but even some of the better sluggers didn't hit many homers when they were in their teens. As a first basemen, he's really going to need to hit to keep playing regularly. We're at an interesting time for the system as we have a few talented first basemen prospects, with both Cal Rice (113th) and Dudley Sapp (132nd) sitting in the top 150. I'm not sure Kerr will join them, but I'd be very surprised if he doesn't rank at all. He has a lot of natural talent and the build to develop into a 25+ home run hitter. Dixie thinks he'll be an above average hitter, OSA views him more as a bench bat, and I'd split the difference on those projections. His value will come from his bat, so there's plenty of risk, but I can see him being an average everyday player. 5th Round, 68th Overall: CF Doc Zimmerman School: Bryan Rams 1947: .478/.520/.829, 127 PA, 15 2B, 5 3B, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 12 SB Career: .458/.532/.764, 257 PA, 28 2B, 8 3B, 7 HR, 65 RBI, 42 SB I... Can't get enough! Can't get enough! Can't get enough offfffffffff these center fielders!!! That's now three in five rounds as our middle fifth rounder went to Doc Zimmerman, who doesn't turn 17 until the 2nd of February. A Houston native, Doc spent the past two seasons patrolling center for the Bryan Rams. They have been quite different, as his first season came with a .467 average, 2 homers, and 30 steals. Year two saw him sacrifice speed for power, with just a .448 average and 12 steals while he launched 5 homers. It's more then just that, as he hit more doubles (13 to 15) and triples (3 to 5) as well while cutting his strikeout rate (4.6 to 2.4) almost in half. Dixie is a big fan of his overall game, postulating him as a "regular starter," one that I hope he means in the big leagues. He's supposed to have blazing speed as well, but the drop in stolen bases is somewhat concerning. Granted, amateur stolen base stats aren't perfect, but speed is part of what makes him so exciting. I don't expect the power to hold up against tougher competition, but he has a nice hit tool and can hit around .300. His best tool is his eye, as he should be able to walk much more then he strikes out, and every ball in play can help him reach base. With his age, he may have a slow start, but I have faith the tools are in place for Zimmerman to work his way onto a big league roster. 5th Round, 71st Overall: SS Cecil Burr School: Anacortes Seahawks 1947: .489/.548/.728, 107 PA, 11 2B, 4 3B, HR, 25 RBI, 34 SB Career: .489/.548/.728, 107 PA, 11 2B, 4 3B, HR, 25 RBI, 34 SB We made it three-for-three with prep picks, finishing things off with shortstop Cecil Burr. Burr didn't join varsity until his junior season, but he hit .489 with 16 extra base hits, 37 runs scored, and 25 RBIs to go with his 1.276 OPS. These are excellent numbers from Burr, who just turned 18 on January 16th. An athletic, 6'2'' youngster, he may not stick at shortstop, and even the Seahawks gave him time at second, third, and right to keep his bat in the lineup. That's not to say Burr can't handle short, as he does have good range, but if he fills out and adds muscle he may be better suited for third or right instead. And since he hits a lot of line drives, that could coordinate to a lot of extra base hits. He has the bat to play at either spot, especially if he's also providing plus defense, as he has a good swing, makes good contact, and his speed puts pressure on the defense. Burr is the type of player I like to target, young, athletic, and high upside with the fallback of a utility player. The bat could burn out and keep him from getting past AA, but with more refinement there's a chance for this block of marble to develop into a marvelous work of art.