After the first three picks, the Valencia Stars’ front office went on a pitchers’ spree as rounds four through twelve were all allocated to the rubber. Sources close to the GM cited that this may have been predicated by the fact that every single farm system within Valencia are at the league minimum 11 pitchers with the Rookie squad only having 7 hurlers. Ten out of the twenty selections in this draft were at the pitching position.
With the 10 pitchers selected via the draft and an additional 6 pitchers in the international complex at least 17 years of age with a potential rating of 30 or more, one would think that the drought has been resolved from a quantity perspective. But one wonders how much quality is really being added?
The list of 2062 draftees include:
Ramon Lopez – 17 years old, Current Overall Rating 20/Potential Overall Rating 40
Ramon is a starting pitcher with decent stuff (7) but lousy control (4). He has three bread and butter pitches with the fastball, slider and cutter. They all have a potential of 9 or 10 n the ratings scale but time will tell whether the lefty can achieve those ratings. Ramon will likely start with the rookie squad.
George Strode – 17 years old, Ratings 30/40
George is projected to have Stuff/Movement/Control of 6/5/5. Although he had some trouble with his ERA his last year in high school, he did register 33 strikeouts in 26 innings. Look for George to have a shot of being in the rotation with the Valencia S A club.
Malumat Tskhadadze – 20 years old, 40/40
Malumat is older than the previous two picks but he is also more developed. His Stuff/Movement/Control weighs in at 5/5/5 and he had a 4-2 record with a 3.10 ERA and 70 K’s in 52 innings of work. Malumat will most likely start with the SA squad as well.
Carlos Hernandez – 18 years old, 25/40
Carlos has a Stuff/Movement/Control rating of 8/4/5 with a fastball that clocks in at 100 mph. Carlos is the first reliever selected out of this bunch and had 33 K’s in 25 innings in high school last season. Carlos will start the season with the Rookie club.
German Rivera – 17 years old, 35/40
Although only 17 years old, German is pretty developed. While his ceiling is not that high, the Valencia faithful is hoping that a bump is in his future. His Stuff/Movement/Control ratings are 7/5/4 with a potential 11 rated fastball and 9 rated slider. German may be starting the season at the SA level.
Jose Duran – 18 years old, 25/35
With a Stuff/Movement/Control ratings of 8/5/1 and the ability to throw 100+ mph, Jose is the true definition of the Wild Thing. He had 35 strikeouts in 23 innings but he also issued 37 free passes. Look for Jose to be with the rookie club in hopes that he can be taught some minor element of control.
Juan Monzerate – 17 years old, 25/35
Juan may have an 11-rated fastball that goes 100 mph but he too is lacking on control with a potential rating of 4. Juan will start with the Rookie club as well.
Domingo Cruz 18 years old, 20/35
Domingo has Stuff/Movement/Control ratings of 4/5/5 if he meets his potential with a fastball that tops out at 99 mph. Look for Domingo to be with the Rookie club as the season begins.
Javier Mendoza - 20 years old, 30/35
Javier is another flame thrower whose fastball tops out at 101 mph. The sidearm closer has a 5/4/3 Stuff/Movement/Control ratin
Robinson Perez – 20 years old, 20/20
Drafted in the 18th round by an autopick, his Stuff/Movement/Control ratings could top out at 5/5/2. Don’t expect Robinson to still be around when the Rookie club starts its season.
All in all, the Rookie Club in Russelville will have a plethora of gunslingers. Strikeouts, walks, hit batters will be a plenty if the scouts ratings are accurate.