Trail Droppings 2040- 8 Calgary Loses 5, Gets 2

[indiansfan]

Calgary Loses 5, Gets 2

The Pioneers lost 5 players in the Rule 5 Draft, more than anyone can remember the team losing. Management said it was a testament to the depth of the FL champion team. The team also drafted 2 players while losing out on several that they had identified.

The first overall pick in the draft was reliever Jose Perez taken by Portland. I bet nobody had him in their pool to go number one. Perez was signed as a minor league free agent last season and the 31 year old was seen as a depth player for the team. A solid left handed reliever, Reyes will get to try to resurrect his career with the Lumberjacks, while he was simply injury insurance in Calgary. Reyes will be entering his 9th BBA season.

Catcher Andy O'Quinn was the 9th player selected in the first round. The Des Moines Kernels took O’Quinn who played at AAA in the Calgary system last year. A below average hitter, but with a good glove, O’Quinn was a longshot to make it up to Calgary. Like Perez, he was most likely destined to stay in the minors.

The third player chosen was reliever Chris Hall. He was taken by Madison right after O’Quinn at #9. Hall was someone the team was hoping to sneak through and was almost protected by the team. He wasn’t, because there was no room for him in Calgary this year, but the team was still high on him for the future. If Madison can’t find a spot, the Pioneers will gladly welcome him back.

Reliever Jorge Alonzo was taken at 19 by Long Beach. Like Hall, the team had hopes he would get through unnoticed, but they expected to lose one or the other. Hall throws hard, a 100 mph fastball, but has trouble getting it over the plate. He has averaged over 10 K’s per 9 the past 3 seasons in the minors.

The final Calgary player drafted was veteran William Belcham in the 3rd round by New Orleans. The utilityman has played 9 seasons in the BBA, winning the Gillstrom in his rookie season with Huntsville along with a Zimmer in LF the following year. His star status faded and he was signed to a minor league deal by Calgary after the 2037 season.

The team was hoping to add a center fielder to hit lefties and an upgrade at backup catcher or in the bullpen. By drafting Marcos Gonzales from New Orleans they hope they filled the first of their needs. Gonzales proved himself this Spring hitting .323 in training camp. He was so popular with his teammates that he was elected a captain. Time will tell if he can hold down the platoon job, but he has a good shot to make the team. Strange that the Crawdads left a 21 year old outfielder unprotected and then drafted a 31 year old in his place.

The second addition didn’t sit well with many players on the team. Adel Bin Ibrahim has worn out his welcome in more than one clubhouse. He has the talent, but lacks the drive and sportsmanship to succeed. Blessed with a 101 mph fastball and 4 other good pitches, Ibrahim should be a starting pitcher in the BBA. His splitter is really good, as is his slider, but he has only managed to get 13 BBA starts. This is the 3rd time he has been a Rule 5 pickand this is the 7th team he has played for.

[ThePreyingManta]

I think I'll be able to find a spot for Hall. My bullpen is horrendous.