BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
4 Novermber 2318
DRAFT!!!!
We will come to you on Wednesday morning with the results of the draft. This is the last of our previews on the 2318 crop.
This time, we will take a look at the OSA Mock Draft and what we think about what we are seeing. We will break down the top ten picks mentioned, noticing a few changes. We will also look at the surprises (ratings risers by OSA standards).
#1 County Crossing - 1B Bear Jones, Tufts University - We do not think the Bloodbugs need Jones' bat as much as they need a true ace to take over the rotation. However, there is no doubt about Jones' talent and his ability to blast a bunch of balls into the stands. In other words, we think the Bugs may go in a different direction, but Jones is a consensus #1 in almost any season.
#2 Quincy - SP Arcade Anderson, Northeastern University - This is our top pitcher and overall player in the draft. Quincy just won a Sole Survivor Series. They may be in a perfect position to get back there by adding Anderson to the rotation. He would slot in to the 2nd or 3rd starter in the rotation immediately. A must-pick!
#3 Sunshine Tidings - C Cade Atombride, Acadia College - We said that this is a CYL-heavy draft, so where are they? Atombride is an interesting rising prospect, showing some change late in the 2318 campaign that suddenly turned scouts in his favor. That was despite being the backup catcher for the Minks and appearing in only seven games. Something outside of baeball caused him not to follow up his 2317 season. That also made scouts drop him, but now he may be #3 overall? We are not sure why. His build? We will see how accurate this prediction is.
We also disagree with OSA's pick here when the Chemists already have a stud catcher prospecy in Austin Sapia, who probably becomes the full-time starter in 2319.
#4 Nordhagen Beach - LF Steven Shin, Boston College Prep - The first CYL player comes off the board and addresses one of the Party Boys' many needs. While he will take time to make it to the CBO, Shin has a lot of power potiential and may ne a regular 25 home runs hitter eventually.
#5 Bunker Hill - SP Eagle Eye Hayes, Marblehead Mess - Hayes was truly dominant, including going 13-0 with a 1.31 ERA during his senior season with the Mess. Hayes has the chance to be a rare CYL-to-CBO player.
However, where does he pitch if the 75ers take him this season. The 75ers will not be drafting this high for awhile, so maybe taking the best player available would be their strategy. Hayes seems to be that player here as our 2nd-rated player overall.
#6 University Point - RF Deadtree Wallatello, Boston College Prep - Wallatello is not as highly-rated as some peers, so he is another wrench in the mock. He had pretty good stats but has not projected to be a top ten pick at all, and we would be surprised to see him this high.
#7 Spectacle Island - 1B Ryanab Costello, Vermont Tech - Costello is only behind Jones in 1B talent and we can see him going early. He will never be the force Jones is, but he is consistent and is good at getting on base (.500 OBP in three years with the Maples).
#8 Oberland - C Guffy Verizon, Boston Common Baby Bellies - Verizon is a great defensive catcher who can hit for some power. He will not be in the middle of a lineup, but his defensive abilities will make him an everyday option. Racky Westheim will probably retire in 2319, and the T-51s have no solid catcher prospects. Verizon would be a great pick here and where we would expect the first catcher to be taken.
#9 Salem - SP Eye Anson, Franklin Pierce University - Anson is another prospect we are crazy about. Scouts think he has true ace capabilities, though maybe not quite as good as Anderson and Hayes. Scouts think that Anson could develop four pitches that have equal devastation, something he could use to keep hitters off balance for 6+ innings.
#10 Nahant - 1B Fortunato Cask, Chicopee Galaxy - Cask is an interesting prospect. While he is projected at 1B, he identifies at 3B. He does not have great power for a 1B, but he does have great contact potential. Scouts think that he can get into the .250/15 range of ability soon, so he as a CYL player could premier as early as 2320.
Other pick we're watching closely:
#14 Roxbury - SP Rhubarb Coombs - The definitive fourth-best pitching prospect in the 2318 draft.
#23 The Slog - 2B Boob Willis - Willis could be a lot better than people think. While he will need some time to fully grow into his body, Willis could be the something special the Ghouls need to overcome the IL in the playoffs. Well, eventually. We doubt that happens in 2319.
Second Round #9 Salem - C Carl Ireland - Ireland may actually be the best catcher in the draft, so if he drops to the 2nd round, some team will benefit. OSA thinks that team is the Hats.
Second Round #17 Goodneighbor - 2B Neaner Sheni - Sheni is the type of player you put as leadoff and just let him go. He can hit for average, steal bases, and cover lots of infield space. Sheni could be a steal at this spot.
Third Round #2 Quincy - 1B Dimmy Suciu - Suciu came on in 2318, jumping from 9 homers to 30. Scouts wonder if he has a much lower ceiling than some of his peers, thus dropping him to the 3rd round, but he could be an everyday 1B from the 3rd round. Quincy would benefit from two great picks.
Third Round #18 Egret - CF Anatoli Knazev - Knyazev is an interesting speed prospect, though he ran a lot less in his senior season. He has blazing speed and covers a lot of ground in the OF. Scouts think he will bat at the top of the order and start at LF once he is fully developed.
Fourth Round #12 Easy Town - C Breslan O'Sullivan - Another interesting catcher prospect. He is a jack of all hitting trades, meaning he will be decent but not great. He is also a pretty good defensive catcher, giving O'Sullivan a chance to make it big in the CBO.
Fourth Round - 2B Sandor Mountain - A 6'4" 2B with great range and lanky arms to reach out even more, Mountain is an interesting prosect. He needs a lot of work in improving his bat, but when he makes it, he could hit for decent average though his home run numbers may never be great.