The 2058 BBA Draft is in the books and fans will soon get a chance to see their future Tropics players in the minors. Here is a rundown of picks through the 5th round who the Tropics front office selected in the draft.
First round- 1B John Harris 6’6’ 200 lbs out of US Coast Guard Bears. Harris is a tall and rangy first baseman with high leadership and work ethic abilities. He has run of the mill contact, gap and power at 7/7/7 and Eye and AvK of 5/5. He is almost major league ready but will spend time in the minors and can be an emergency call up in case of injury.
GM Jim Walker said, “Harris can play left and can fake it in right and third for short periods. He is a switch hitter and hits slightly better from the left side but can hold his won as a right-handed hitter. He gives us depth. He’s not a great pick but he’ll have his uses.”
Second round- C Jeff Appleton 6’0’’ 185 lbs out if Nike Airs. Appleton has decent ability but no arm and isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. He is a 5/5/7/7/6 hitter and hit 15 homers his final season at Nike. Like Harris, he is almost BBA ready and will provide Hawaii with depth.
Walker said, “Appleton is a guy that can step in for a short period of time for us in an emergency. We have some aging guys in AAA that will be moving on and he can step if big league backup Katsumi Matsumoto falls off the cliff.”
Second round supplemental pick- SP Danny Anderson 6’5” 190 lbs out of 3M Miners. Anderson is a young college junior at 19 but performed well for 3M as a starter. He is an 8/5/6 starter with a 9 fastball, 8 slider and 8 change with his fastball touching 99 at times with an over-the-top motion. He has that borderline starter tag with 7 stamina and doesn’t hold runners well at a 3.
“He will start in the minors, but he will likely be converted into a reliever in the future. He is another guy that we drafted that is major league ready, so we have instant help on the way.”, said Walker.
Third round- SP Curt Bott 6’2” 185 lbs out of Pabst Blue Ribbons. Bott is another BBA ready pick that is a reliver candidate. He is a 7/7/5 normal ¾ arm slot pitcher that can hit 99 mph on the gun. He throws an 8 fastball, 6 slider and a 7 sinker with a 6 stamina and holds runners well.
Walker said, “More depth and leadership for the organization as a whole.”
Fourth round- RP Bart Creasy 6’11” 205 lbs out of Ford Motors High School. Creasy is a drunken late at night missed auto pick that has some upside. If he develops, he will keep the ball in the yard but walk a few too many. He is a 7/7/4 flame thrower with a fastball that will top out at an 8 and a 1 change that can maybe get to a 6.
“Fucked that one up.”, Walker said cringing.
Fifth round- 2B Antonio Gomez 6’6” 190 lbs out of MGM Gamblers High School. Gomez is a tall unathletic second baseman that will end up a first baseman or a DH. He is a 6/8/6/5/6 hitter with some speed but a horrible baserunner. He can lay down a bunt and may get on base with the bunt a couple of times a year.
Walker said, “This guy is one of those long-term development guys. Maybe he’ll turn into something.”
