Sticking Points 2057.4: Early Returns From the 2057 Pikemen Draft

[JimSlade]

Let's take our minds off the brutal 24-56 Rockville Pikemen season that is underway, shall we? Instead, let's dig deep into their farm system, where a crop of new prospects added in the 2057 amateur draft hope to slowly turn the tide.

The Pikemen stretched with their first pick, 16-year-old rightfielder Tim O'Reily, an Irish native who was was being heavily recruited by college programs and who was believed to be a longshot to sign. The team went all in with a hefty signing bonus at the number 11 slot and got their young man. "He was our favorite player available at that point in the draft," say GM Jim Slade. "We see him developing into an athletic corner outfielder who can hold down a spot near the top of a lineup. I don't like to make projections, but when I look into the future I see Eric Wagner " In 25 games with the rookie league Aurora Bullfrogs, O'Reily is batting .271 with 2 home runs and 3 doubles, not too far off Wagner's pace with the big league club.

Bernardo Flores, another corner outfielder drafted second by the Pikemen, was off to a torrid start (4 home runs, 2 doubles) in his first 2 weeks with Aurora until a strained hamstring put him on the shelf. "We hope Bernardo can get in a few more ABs before the season ends," says Slade, "but either way, we leaned on offense in this draft, and we think we landed a future piece."

With the Pikemen pitching staff in shambles and a lack of organizational pitching depth, Slade has come under fire in Rockville media. "I'd love to have added some stud arms at the top of this draft," he tells me, "but I've got to go with the best talent available, and if that means drafting a third consecutive corner outfielder, so it goes."

Arturo Caro, a polished 22-year-old rightfielder was that possibly redundant third-round pick. Caro, however, could fast track his way to Rockville. He reported straight to the A-ball Eau Claire Cavaliers, where he's hitting for power, if low average. His 7 home runs in 28 games is second to only last year's top pick, first baseman Masahiko Harada. He joins a list of talent in Eau Claire that could soon push its way toward an eventually gutted Rockville roster.

With its 4th-round pick, the Pikemen finally selected a starting pitcher, tiny Vinnie Walls, all of 5 feet, 8 inches and 165 pounds. His 4 starts with the short-A Port of Spain Royales have not been pretty, probably driven by a 1.81 WHIP. However, his 3.06 FIP relative to an 8.66 ERA suggests that he's not being helped by his fielders. "We're not worried about Vinnie. He's got 3 viable pitches, his control should develop, and his mechanics are sound."

The Pikemen went for a defensive specialist in the 5th round, 21-year-old, switch-hitting catcher Carlos Marcillas, who is also starting his season at Port of Spain. He's only 77 at-bats into his professional career, but he's been the hottest hitting prospect in Rockville's 2057 draft, with a .319/.390/.536 slash line and 5 home runs. Did Slade and his scouts see this offensive potential? "Kid's got a good eye," says Slade, trying to hold in a smirk, "anything can happen."

In the 6th round, the Rockville grabbed another fairly developed outfielder, centerfielder Jorge Cruz, who like Caro reported directly to Eau Claire. "Organizationally, we're so short on depth up the middle," says Slade. "Seeing Jorge still on the board at that point was a no-brainer." He's nailed down center with outstanding defense and more offense than expected, including 3 home runs and 3 triples in 122 at-bats. With Winston-Salem Warthogs centerfielder Juan Chavez down for at least a month, Cruz could get a taste of AA ball before this season is over.

In the crap-shoot rounds that would follow, Rockville added some pitching depth, highlighted by 11th-round pick Tony Avila, who has not walked a batter in 4 starts; teenage third baseman and folksy, coffee-pitchman-in-waiting Wilford Folsom; and Alejandro Teasley, another catching specialist who's early returns as a hitting force have been unexpected.

"Trust me," says Slade, "I see what's going on in Rockville. I see the escalating negative run differential. I see the talent gap. I get where you guys and the fans are coming from. I could toss and turn all night counting losses, but I choose to count on some of these kids contributing in the future instead."