Off Topic
Like the rest of the BBA movers and shakers, the Yellow Springs Nine front office is off in some exotic place making selections that will restrict the professional freedom that several young players will be able to exert for the next decade or so of their lives. Draft day is always a gala event, filled with a mix of bravado and despair usually made in equal parts—with some, however, suggesting this class my be more on the despair and less on the bravado.
Time as always, will tell.
Fervent Nine fans can’t be bothered to wait for time, though, which is good for us because then we can rake in the big bucks by selling this swill we’re calling a draft review.
Enough with the pre-game festivities, though. There’s a pool out back, and a margarita with my name on it waiting.
Let’s take a look at the Nine’s “haul,” starting with their first round selection.
Big Jeff Ready to Actually Play Ball
ROUND 1 SELECTION: Francis Xavier “Big Jeff” Pfeffer (SP)
With the Nine selecting in the #32 slot, which is apparently reserved for Heartland Division champions, and with several compensation picks made ahead of them, the YS9 staff sat on their heels until the #40 slot overall, and used it on an interesting, but little known right handed pitcher out of Champaign, Illinois. As some have noted, it is possible that the most intriguing thing about Pfeffer is his nickname “Big Jeff,” which would seem to be one of those reverse mojo things since the kid is (at 6’1”, 200 pounds) neither big, nor … um … named Jeff.
Regardless, the scoop on Pfeffer is that he’s a bit of a junkballing starter who should keep the ball on the ground. We say “should” because while he is listed as coming out of General Electric High School, he really has no record to go on whatsoever.
“He was mostly just kind of around, you know?” said Montgomery Frazier, his high school coach. “He was the guy shooting the breeze in the dugout, or sneaking off to make out with a cheerleader under the stadium seats. I guess I never realized he didn’t get into a game. Good on him for being drafted, though.”
BBA draft pundits immediately noted he’d do better if he threw a little harder, which is probably true. Others noted that even without so much as an inning pitched in the minors, the kid is considered to be a bit of a candidate to keep trainer tables filled.
Stuff Movement Control Velo STM Inj Type 2/5 2/8 1/6 94 MPH 6 Fragile? GB Projection: The team will give him a chance to actually play baseball in R-Alamogordo, where we expect he’ll start a few games. If he can stay somewhat healthy, and if the velocity can make the jumps the team wants, expect him to skip Short A next year. Ultimately, most insiders consider him to be a candidate for the bullpen in the future, though, where he could see considerable value.
Repertoire Scouted Fastball 4/6 Slider 3/6 Curveball 2/4 Change 1/5 Sinker 4/8
Last Word: There is apparently no truth to the rumor that he was drafted specifically so GM Ron Collins could use the phrase “Lighten up, Francis” in a Team News.
