May 13, 2038
The Las Vegas Hustlers entered the 2038 Ammy Draft with the 21st overall pick in the first round. In this deep, talented draft the Hustlers hoped to acquire a real difference maker with their first pick, and team brass is thrilled to have nabbed RHP Rafael Flores with their selection.
The 6'7 Flores checks a lot of boxes for Las Vegas. He's a 18 year old starting pitcher who has been dominant from his first season in High School with MGM. He's unique in that his four pitch repetoire doesn't feature a traditional fastball, rather four pitches that all figure to be plus in the future. His current best pitch is his slider, which actually figures to be the "weakest" of the four long term (7 POT). His curveball (9 POT), slider (8 POT) and changeup (8 POT) all contribute to his makeup as a projected ground-ball machine, something the Hustlers put great emphasis on in their pitching prospects these days.
Scouts do believe that Flores' work ethic needs attention, and the Hustlers will certainly spend time and resources to improve that. Another scout expressed some concern over his injury history. Flores has had nine injury records over the last three seasons, but in fairness all were day-to-day and nothing major raised a red flag with the Hustlers. He has the frame that projects him to be a workhorse down the road.
OFP: 70 (#1/#2 Starter)
ETA: 2042
