Last of the Unplucked gems
Louisville GM Hopkins announced the fruits of his Rule V player claims today.
“I feel we took a dramatic step forward today,”announced GM Hopkins,”The Rule V draft is an extremely important vehicle for acquiring new talent for a club like ours…and these guys we got…they’re gonna be very good Sluggers for a very long time.”
Hyperbole aside, one questions the wisdom of self-proclaimed genius GM Hopkins, Rule V player draft haul. All three players that were selected by Louisville are realistically two seasons away from being able to contribute at the MBWBA level. One also wonders that if the Rule V draft is such a great place to find talent, why didn’t GM Hopkins make a single Rule V selection in 2008?
Round 1 Pick 1
Twenty-three year-old, right-hander Jorge Diaz is an exciting starter prospect plucked from the Madison Wolves organisation. Diaz enjoyed a stellar 2008, being named pitcher of the year for all of Single A, and increased expectations of his talent ceiling. Assuming spending 2009 in the Slugger bullpen doesn’t irreparably destroy his development, Diaz should become a very good starter in the MBWBA. Madison has already contacted Louisville management about re-obtaining the star prospect, but submitted an insultingly low offer. GM Hopkins announced that the talks confirmed his belief that you cannot trust managers of mixed characters.
Round 2 Pick 1
Twenty-two year-old, left-hander Gavin Cowing is an exciting closer prospect from the Buffalo organisation. Cowing has been named an all-star in each of the past two seasons at Single A. Cowing is almost the finished product, he just needs a little work on his control. Ideally, he’d be doing that in Double A or perhaps Triple A, but thanks to GM Hopkins, he will continue his development in Louisville.
Round 4 Pick 1
We’re not sure what happened to Louisville’s round three selection either. Bubba Barnes was chosen in the fourth round of the Rule V draft from Calgary. Barnsey is an intimidating 6’5’’ right-handed twenty-three year-old starter whose development stalled a little in 2008 in Double A ball. Bubba was an all-star in 2006 in Rookie ball, an all-star in 2007 in Single A ball, but couldn’t complete the hat-trick in 2008, split between Single and Double A. Nevertheless, Bubba looks like he may be an MBWBA quality starter in a season or two. GM Hopkins has mentioned he may explore returning Bubba to Calgary, dependent on how other pitching candidates perform in spring-training.
