Northwest League Begins Operation
by Tom Varney
Portland Journal
The inaugural Northwest League dispersal draft began yesterday as the Sandpoint Foresters selected former Milwaukee Brewers centerfielder Ariel Castano with the first pick. Many expected the five-tool 26-year old to land with one of the 24 remaining Major League teams, but after the contraction dispersal draft, he found himself on the outside looking in. The Foresters were more than happy to give him a new home.
"I owe this league a lot. There aren't as many chances for a baseball career as there used to be, so to get another shot means a lot to me and my family," said Castano after being introduced to the media by league commissioner Henry Anderson. Castano's comments once again raised a question voiced by many observers of the fledgling league: if a player is a star in the Northwest League, will the majors come calling for him? Will the Northwest League become simply a glorified minor league system? League officials have stated that questions like these are being addressed, but thus far they have no official comment.
After Castano, the Twin Falls Twins selected right fielder Robert "Grasshopper" Sailor. The 32-year old slugger last played for the Colorado Rockies, where he held down the fourth outfielder/right-handed pinch hitter role after a few productive seasons with the Detroit Tigers. The Idaho Falls Spuds then snapped up shortstop Josiah Davey. After his public run-in with Cincinnati Reds management in a public feud at the end of the 2008 season, he found himself without a job and no one calling on the phone. The man they called "Viper" for his quick bat and lightning reflexes in the field had earned another aspect to his nickname. Many will be watching to see if Spuds manager Matt Forrest will get along any better with Davey. The first five picks rounded out with Bend's selection, slugging first baseman Ralph Wilson.
The Boise Buckaroos took the first pitcher, Eduardo Carpio, last seen working his magic for the Minnesota Twins in the 2006 World Series. Shoulder troubles sidelined the ace for two full seasons, and if he's able to return with anything like his earlier form, the Buckaroos will be ecstatic. One of the surprise picks in the draft was Bozeman's selection of 25-year old starter Kip Bray with the #19 pick. The second-youngest player selected in the first round, just two months older than new Helena third baseman Desmond Rosado, Bray was long touted as a future ace for the Washington Nationals. Major league scouts soured on him after a disastrous callup to AAA in 2007 and an equally difficult second tour in 2008.
For a full recap of the 50-round initial draft, please go to
our website.
In the end, it was an exciting day for the new league, as the questions surrounding its inaugural season were hushed by optimism and anticipation of watching these players take the field for the first time in cities and towns all across the greater northwest. Opening Day is on the way, and fans across four states are ready to pack the parks.