The Hustlers hoped to pick up a mid-range prospect or two for him. Instead, they got back a *near* Gold Glove winning shortstop and an *almost* premium prospect!
Benton Bobke seems like he's been around for a while, having just completed his fourth season with the Greenville Moonshiners (third as a full time starter). However, he's just 27 years old. The fourth overall pick in the 1999 draft, Bobke certainly hasn't become a superstar as projected but he's a solid starter. "He's hit 20+ HR and 70+ RBI the last two years," said GM Matt Rectenwald. "And many around the league felt he was robbed of a Gold Glove at shortstop." The Hustlers have stopped short of saying Bobke will gain a starting job. "It's complicated right now, there may be another domino to fall in order for that to happen," Rectenwald explained.
Joe Garland was the 7th overall pick in the 2001 draft. Scouts were bullish on his power and that still hasn't changed. However, at age 24, he's going to have to start developing and quick. The Moonshiners were carelessly aggressive in pushing him from Class A in 2004 to Class AAA in 2005, and he still has yet to have a "breakout" season in the minors. The Hustlers are toying with the idea of having Garland play a full season for AA Reno.