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Old 11-26-2018, 09:15 PM   #485
reds1
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CAMBRIA, Dec. 6 – The Hotel Severnlea overlooking Cambria’s Cardigan Bay played host to the United Leagues as representatives from each of the sixteen charter members converged in the hotel’s grand ballroom to hold the 14th Annual Amateur Draft. All eyes were on the Pulberry Trolleys as they had the first selection this season. As second-year scouting director Elijah Wedemeyer and his support staff took their place at the Trolley’s drafting table, long-time General Manager Marcus Dejyothin spoke with reporters just before the proceedings began. While acknowledging the depth of talent in this year’s draft class, Dejyothin was reluctant to tip his hand as to which way the Trolleys were leaning.

“There are a number of ways you could go and you wouldn’t be wrong; the class is really that strong“, observed Dejyothin, who was now entering his 14th year as Pulberry’s GM. “But our approach has always been to go with what we feel is the best talent available on the board. And that is even more important now with the first selection overall. We realize this could a game-changer for the franchise, so we are determined to get it right.”

Following the Trolleys with the next two picks were the Hespeler Stars and Queensland Eagles.

Here is a brief overview of the 16 players taken in the first round:

1st Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:



IF/OF Aidan Thirkettle (20/80) – 22-years old; 6’-2”, 200 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.

With a tantalizing field of talent to choose from, the Trolleys ultimately went with the speedy Thirkettle from Wellington. Thirkettle has the chance to be the complete package: a superior talent with outstanding contact, impressive power and an uncanny eye. While versatile, he is projected to be an elite right fielder with game-changing speed.

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2nd Pick – Hespeler Stars:



IF/OF Bill Spaeth (20/80) – 20-years old; 5’-10”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH.

The Stars select the Queensland-native Spaeth, who has above-average contact skills, a smooth swing, quick hands and good pitch recognition. He may never be an elite defender, but he won’t embarrass himself either and has a high ceiling both in the field and at the plate.

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3rd Pick – Queensland Eagles:



RHP Derek Tarn (20/76) – 18-years old; 5’-11”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Eagles select the first pitcher of the draft, the young Tarn from Wolseley. When fully developed, his repertoire should include an above-average changeup, a sinker with good life and an average curveball. His pitches have plenty of movement that should help keep the ball in the park. He has the potential to be ace one day.

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4th Pick – Sherburn Tigers:



RHP Bradley Strawson (27/73) – 23-years old; 5’-9”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

Sherburn also selects a pitcher, this time Strawson from Douro. He boasts five pitches, with a plus sinker as his best. His offerings have plenty of movement to cut down on the long ball. With three quality pitches, he has the potential to one day anchor a rotation. Immediately following the proceedings, Strawson became the first player of the draft class to be promoted to the big-league roster. The Tigers have penciled him in as their No. 5 starter.

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5th Pick – Wellington Athletics:



IF/OF Paul Pateshall (29/71) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH.

Wellington takes the smart and speedy Pateshall from Balmoral. Pateshall has good pitch recognition who projects to be a .330 hitter with the ability to bunt and steal at will. Although not a defensive whiz, his skills are still above average. Scouts feel he has good potential with a very promising future.

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6th Pick – Cambria Cannons:



IF/OF Doug Martin (20/69) – 18-years old; 6’-0”, 170 lbs.; Switch Hitter/Throws RH.

The host team goes with the strong, lean Doug Martin from Pulberry. Martin should prove to be an aggressive hitter with game-changing speed. While he may never develop into an elite defender, he should be solidly above average in the field and has the potential to be an impact big leaguer one day.

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7th Pick – Balmoral Giants:



IF Erik Perry (20/68) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 185 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

Perry’s game should be a well-rounded one with outstanding defense at 2B and excellent speed on the base paths. If he follows through on developing his contact and discipline at the plate, scouts feel the Stratford native can hit .310 at the major league level.

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8th Pick – Brunswick Legends:



SS Jean-Pierre Ferré (20/67) – 21-years old; 5’-10”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The first and only non-Braeland player selected in the first round, the Canadian-born Ferré looks to be a future lead-off hitter if he follows through on his promise. With great contact and ability to lay off bad pitches, Ferré projects to be a .330 hitter and draw 70 walks-a-season. With good defense and speed, the Legends are hoping he will be a future star-caliber shortstop.

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9th Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings:



RHP Brian McDaniel (32/80) – 21-years old; 5’-8”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Red Stockings take a reliever from Fort Richmond with their first pick of the draft. McDaniel projects to be either a top-flight reliever or stopper, with an off-the-charts curveball and hard cutter. With great command and stamina, McDaniel could also find himself starting on occasion, especially if he were to develop even a modest third pitch.

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10th Pick – Kingston Pelicans:



RHP Lester Beddoes (28/74) – 21-years old; 6’-1”, 195 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH.

The Pelicans follow Cobourg’s lead, in taking a reliever in the first round as well. This time, it’s the young Beddoes from the small town of St. Pauls Station. Beddoes’ greatest strength is his movement, which should generate a lot of ground balls and keep the ball in the park. With a sinker with good life and a great slider, he also has the potential to be a top reliever or future stopper.

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11th Pick – Embro Suns:



3B Adrian Flynn (20/70) – 21-years old; 5’-9”, 180 lbs.; Switch Hitter/Throws RH.

Flynn, the second Wellington-native selected in the first round, is an infielder with a nice compliment of offensive skills and decent, if not spectacular, defense at the hot corner. He has improving pitch recognition and could make consistent contact if he fully develops.

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12th Pick – Stratford Barons:



IF/OF Matthew Channing (20/61) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Switch Hitter/Throws RH.

Channing from Downie is an incredibly versatile and capable fielder that can play anywhere in the outfield and most of the infield. With above average contact skills, a smooth swing, quick hands and good pitch recognition, Channing could develop into a .310 hitter to go along with his dazzling speed. The Barons have made him a centerfielder to start things out.

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13th Pick – Fort Richmond Generals:



IF/OF Greg Cusack (25/67) – 22-years old; 6’-1”, 185 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Generals follow the Barons in taking a versatile and speedy defender for their first pick. Cusack, who hails from Stratford, can play anywhere in outfield and may win a few awards. On offense, he has the chance to develop into a solid contact hitter to go along with outstanding bunting skills and game-changing speed.

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14th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:



RHP Dara Eaddy (20/67) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The final pitcher selected in the first round is taken by the Monarchs – the young Eaddy from Kingston. Eaddy figures to be solid groundball pitcher with plenty of movement on his changeup, cutter and curveball. With further refinement, he has the chance to become a top-half-of-the-rotation starter.

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15th Pick – Downie Chiefs:



IF/OF Blair Stone (25/63) – 23-years old; 6’-0”, 185 lbs.; Switch Hitter/Throws RH.

Downie selects the very athletic Stone from Queensland. A solid fielder blessed with amazing speed and smarts on the base paths, Stone also has the potential to be an above average hitter, with good contact and some pop. The Chiefs will have him starting in centerfield down in AA.

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16th Pick – Wolseley Unions:



IF Rusty McLaren (20/64) – 19-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

With the final selection of the first round, the Unions tab Rusty McLaren from Hespeler. McLaren has an abundance of talent, especially at the plate where his good contact is complimented with power, patience and discipline. Although not projecting to be a great defender, he should nevertheless find a home at 3B and not embarrass himself.

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Here are the standings at the end of games on December 31:

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 11-26-2018 at 10:22 PM.
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