The Outlaw Chronicles - Ammy Draft Edition

[bigmike13]

The Bandits went into this years amateur draft having 4 picks through the first 2 rounds and a total of 7 through round 4, so the entire draft strategy for GM Calvaruso was restock, restock, restock.

"I have made no secret that i felt this organization was very thin in their farm system and I have made it a priority to strengthen this system as much as possible". Calvaruso was quoted at his weekly press conference.

A quick snapshot of the first 4 picks of this years draft hold no surprises, the bandits went after the proverbial "best athlete available" in almost every case.

The first pick of the Bandits draft was at #12 and it saw them take 3B Doug Glover from Nazareth High School in Brooklyn, NY. Glover has been rated as high as 5th in some draft circles and projects to be an impact hitter with the power that every team needs. Glover has seen time throughout the entire infield during his high school career and has displayed very good range, soft hands and a cannon for an arm.

The Bandits also had a supplemental pick and went after college 2B Joseph Drew. A right handed bat from Arlington, Tx, Drew is considered by most scouts as "A solid offensive player who should develop into a top of the order type hitter. Not much power right now but could easily be a .310 or better hitter". Drew is another player that could project anywhere on the field and while not an overly fast runner, has shone a very good head on the basepaths.

In the second round, the bandits took a bit of a project with pick #38 by taking another Texan, SP Manny Ruiz from Angleton, TX. Ruiz is a strong armed starter that has consistently hit 96-98 on the radar gun throughout his career. Ruiz has a solid 4 pitch arsenal and shows very good command for a power pitcher. Some scouts think his fastball doesn't have quite enough movement but hopefully that is something that can get better over time.

With their second pick in the 4th round, the Bandits got a little lucky as LF Nathan Claycomb fell to the 45th pick. Questions began to surface right before the draft about his sign-ability. The high schooler from Johnstown, PA was a commitment to Penn State but with the troubles going on in Happy Valley, the Bandits think they can change his mind.

From the looks of the first 4 draft picks, the restocking of the bandits farm system is well on its way.