The Connecticut Shore League

[Big Six]

June 15, 1944

It's time for the annual draft, and here are the players who were chosen in the first round this year. We'll also catch up with last year's first round choices.

Stonington Brawlers: RHP Ron Goines (age 18)

Nobody was surprised when the Brawlers made Goines the #1 pick in this year's draft. He went 12-0 as a high school senior in Barre, Vermont, striking out 205 batters in 124 innings and allowing only nine earned runs. His fastball reaches the mid-90s, and he complements it with a very good curveball. Ron has the makeup and tools to emerge as one of the best pitchers to hit the Shore League in years. The Brawlers will have to open their wallets wide to meet Goines' signing price, which might approach $150,000.

Let's catch up with Sherwood Wester, who has a 6-8 record and a 3.38 ERA with the Brawlers' Nutmeg League affiliate in Haddam. He's added a little bit of gas to his fastball, and continues to impress the Brawlers brain trust.

Mystic Clippers: 2B Johnny Mills (age 17)

The Clippers took a chance on this high schooler from Somersworth, New Hampshire. There are no question about Mills' tools; he is a good all-around athlete with great range at second, and he has the potential to hit .300 with line-drive power in the Shore League. However, Johnny hasn't impressed anyone with his work ethic. He's asking for an $85,000 signing bonus, and Clippers fans are almost demanding the team meet Mills' price because the team didn't sign its first round pick in either 1942 (Charlie Pike) or 1943 (Brian White).

Mystic Clippers: 3B Eric Kelly (age 17)

With the pick the Clippers received for their inability to sign Brian White, they selected another New Hampshire high school star. Kelly, from Fremont, is one of the best offensive players in this year's draft class. He might not hit for a high average, but his ability to drive the ball, his strike zone judgement, and his plus speed make him an intriguing prospect. Brian is reportedly asking for a $75,000 signing bonus.

Guilford Corgis: RHP Brian White (age 17)

Once again, the Corgis chose a pitcher the Clippers couldn't sign the year before. White pitched this year at Northwestern, where he went 7-3, with a 2.74 ERA, 23 walks, and 95 strikeouts. His coaches praise his old-fashioned approach to the game and his willingness to work hard. The Corgis will probably have to pay about $75,000 to sign him.

Let's catch up with Paul Melancon, the #1 pick in the '43 draft. He's struggled in his professional debut, with a 1-8 record and a 6.05 ERA with Coventry. He is averaging a strikeout per inning, though.

Old Saybrook Privateers: CF Jose Torres (age 20)

Torres, who played his collegiate ball at Villanova, covers a lot of ground in center field, runs very well, and controls the strike zone well. However, it's his plus-plus power that made the Privateers eager to take him off the board. Jose's smooth right-handed swing enables him to drive the ball hard to all fields. He'll probably want about $40,000 to sign a pro contract.

Let's catch up with Forrest Kelly, who has a 3-8 record and a 5.38 ERA for the Privateers' affiliate in Old Lyme. Like many teenage flamethrowers, Forrest needs to improve his control, but he's still as good a prospect as ever.

Madison Republicans: RHP Alan Bradshaw (age 19)

A three-sport star out of Franklin County Tech High in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, Alan went 6-0 as a senior, and he struck out ten times as many batters as he walked. He stands 6'5" and weighs 220, and his fastball has been clocked at 92 MPH. A changeup, forkball, and splitter complete his repertoire, and his control is very sharp for a young pitcher. With a signing request of $29,000, Bradshaw could be starting his professional career sooner than some of his fellow 1944 draftees.

Let's catch up with Floyd Goodman, who was the centerpiece of the Stonington-Madison trade that made Dave Frazier a Republican. Floyd has a 6-7 record and a 4.14 ERA with Haddam, but he's reportedly added 5 MPH to his fastball and is looking more and more like a future star.

Waterford Conchs: RF Allen Skiba (age 21)

Skiba, a University of Maine product, possesses all five tools except power. He bats lefthanded and makes consistent, hard contact against both right- and left-handed pitchers. He is a mobile, skilled outfielder with a strong arm, and he runs well for a man his size (6'1", 220). The Conchs love his intangibles, and think he'll be a team leader one day. Allen is asking for a signing bonus of about $40,000.

Let's catch up with Charlie Pike, the top pitching prospect in the Shore League. In his first pro season, Charlie continues to develop his skills. He has a 6-8 record and a 3.87 ERA for the Pomfret Bluebirds, but he pitched much better in May and June.

Branford Barbers: RHP Rick O'Brien (age 18)

Continuing the trend of selecting high school pitchers, the Barbers used their first round pick to choose this 6'6" righthander from Fall River, Massachusetts. He doesn't throw extremely hard yet, but he commands his fastball, curve, and changeup with a touch few teenagers possess. Rick projects as a middle-of-the rotation starter with the ability to shoulder a heavy workload. He's requesting a $22,000 signing bonus.

Let's catch up with Dwain Alexander, who's now in the Mystic organization after a May 31 trade. The Clippers called him up last week, and he's off to a rough, 0-11 start in his Shore League debut.

Groton Green Sox: 3B Randy Westmoreland (age 22)

Westmoreland enjoyed a fine career at Tufts University, where he hit .340-14-66 as a senior. The Green Sox were delighted to see him on the board when their turn to pick came around, because they're very high on his ability to hit the ball hard and consistently. He is an average fielder, but his arm is very strong. A likeable, popular player, Randy is asking for a $31,000 signing bonus.

Let's catch up with Mauro Reyna, who batted .256 in limited duty with Groton last spring, and is now a #3 hitter for the Clinton Blue Claws in the Nutmeg League. He's hitting .269 with four homers and 41 RBI, and he's stolen 14 bases.