Omaha selects undeveloped SS with first round selection.(44.17)
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2020 11:44 am
Coming off the every other year cycle that Omaha has been on where they win 90 games, lose 90 games, and win 90 games again, the team has had the “honor” of at least picking in the top half of the draft more often than not.
Similar to the past few years, this year, selecting 13th overall the Cyclones elected to go with a batter. As a matter of a fact, the team hasn’t selected a pitcher in the first round since 2040, when they selected Leonard Collins 19th overall. In 2041, the team didn’t have a pick, and then the past 3 years, it has been all infield players as the Hawks/Cyclones selected Wilson Estrada and Alfonso Trinidad in 2042, and Gehrig Jelinowicz last season.
This year, the team selected high school shortstop Jeff Patenaude. The 19 year old has had an odd development curve going from basically unknown in October 2042, to a potential all-star one month later. Since that time in late 2043, Patenaude has been able to keep the potential scouts see in him, but hasn’t turned any of that raw potential into actual skill yet as he is still ranked a 1/1/1 on the contact/power/eye skill chart.
It’s a bit of a risky move for Omaha, but one that they likely can afford to wait on or hope that things begin to click for. Patenaude will turn 20 years old at the end of this year and most first round picks are beginning to reach the AA level or so when they enter their 20’s.
Similar to the past few years, this year, selecting 13th overall the Cyclones elected to go with a batter. As a matter of a fact, the team hasn’t selected a pitcher in the first round since 2040, when they selected Leonard Collins 19th overall. In 2041, the team didn’t have a pick, and then the past 3 years, it has been all infield players as the Hawks/Cyclones selected Wilson Estrada and Alfonso Trinidad in 2042, and Gehrig Jelinowicz last season.
This year, the team selected high school shortstop Jeff Patenaude. The 19 year old has had an odd development curve going from basically unknown in October 2042, to a potential all-star one month later. Since that time in late 2043, Patenaude has been able to keep the potential scouts see in him, but hasn’t turned any of that raw potential into actual skill yet as he is still ranked a 1/1/1 on the contact/power/eye skill chart.
It’s a bit of a risky move for Omaha, but one that they likely can afford to wait on or hope that things begin to click for. Patenaude will turn 20 years old at the end of this year and most first round picks are beginning to reach the AA level or so when they enter their 20’s.