C-Notes 2045.07 - Cougars Draft Battery

[GoldenOne]

The Charlotte Cougars will be spending a lot of money when it comes time to sign their draft picks. Cougars owner John Weber seems to either not realize this or just not care. With the Cougars having a winning record as we roll into May, the first time in the team's history, Weber is also certainly happy to have had 2 of the first 4 picks, #3 and #4 overall, in the 2045 draft. The #3 pick was a compensation pick for not signing last year's #2 overall draft pick, CF Mike Brodt (who went 9th overall to Vancouver in this year's draft.)

At #3 this year, the Cougars selected SP Thomas Turner. The 20 year old from Meridian, Idaho could probably start at the BBA level today. Turner does not automatically wow anyone with his slightly above average stuff and movement but his control, at such a young age, is truly remarkable. Turner also shows slightly better splits towards RHBs as well. He comes to the Cougars with a great fastball and splitter but his slider is easily his best pitch and will fool many a BBA batters. Dont be surprised if Turner shows up in Charlotte this September, if not beforehand, especially considering his excellent work ethic. In fact, the two hardest parts to deal with in Turner will be in the Charlotte Front Office not jumping the gun and bringing him up too early, and, the $7.5M he is rumored to be demanding to sign.

With the #4 pick, Charlotte decided to look at their club, realize that their weakest position was Catcher and then listen to all the pundits discuss the dearth of catching across the BBA, and decide to select the best catcher available. One quick look at the switch-hitting catcher from Edinburgh, Indiana, Todd Tatlock, and it was all GM Golden could do to contain his giddiness. The combination of 11 Ability and 12 Arm at the catcher position? Yes please! Tatlock can hit too? Oh my! While his power may only be average, Tatlock can consistently put the ball in play. The drawback here? Tatlock is rumored to want $6.5M to sign. Actually, that's not too bad as just a couple of weeks ago, he was rumored to be expecting $7.5M.

It may take time for Tatlock to join the big league club but the Front Office will have to have more self-control that it has shown in the past to keep Turner away for too long. Either way, hopefully these two get along as they look to be spending a lot of time together in Charlotte!

[DugoutDesperado]

Todd Tatlock from Edinburg Indiana? Whose custom ammy was that?

I know Todd from real life. I coached two of his daughters in volleyball.

[DugoutDesperado]

Sorry - I should have said non-BBA life instead of real life.

[HerbD]

Sorry - I should have said non-BBA life instead of real life.

That's mine...I went to high school with Todd

and he was a hell of a baseball player!

Todd hit .460 for Indiana State in 1995 finishing just one point behind Sean Casey for the DIV 1 batting title

[Dington]

That's a crazy connection.

[DugoutDesperado]

Sorry - I should have said non-BBA life instead of real life.

That's mine...I went to high school with Todd

and he was a hell of a baseball player!

Todd hit .460 for Indiana State in 1995 finishing just one point behind Sean Casey for the DIV 1 batting title

I knew he did pretty well at Indiana State, did not know it was .460 type of good though. Gives me something to hit him up on the next time I see him.

So you were a Lancer in your teen years?

[HerbD]

Sorry - I should have said non-BBA life instead of real life.

That's mine...I went to high school with Todd

and he was a hell of a baseball player!

Todd hit .460 for Indiana State in 1995 finishing just one point behind Sean Casey for the DIV 1 batting title

I knew he did pretty well at Indiana State, did not know it was .460 type of good though. Gives me something to hit him up on the next time I see him.

So you were a Lancer in your teen years?

Yes sir...my kids(and Todd's) go to Southwestern(Shelby). He still lives in Edinburgh but I live in the country between Edinburgh and Shelbyville.

[DugoutDesperado]

We were there last fall for vball. His two older girls are pretty decent. Time will tell on the youngest.

Do you also know Brian Moenich by chance then?