2030.2 - LB Independent - 2030 Amateur Draft Updates

[Lane]

January 27, 2030
Long Beach, CA

The 2030 Amateur Draft has begun in the BBA. The Long Beach Surfers hold the 14th overall pick, the lowest pick during the tenure of GM Stephen Lane. Thanks to multiple compensation picks for the loss of qualified free agents, the Surfers actually have 6 picks in the first 90 selections of the draft. Though it won't likely net them an impact prospect, it will surely help refill the organizational depth that has been looking a little thin following promotions and trades.

Check back here throughout the draft as the Independent staff will continue to update with the Surfers picks.

With the 14th overall pick of the draft, GM Stephen Lane selected 16 year old catcher Jesus Ayala. Well developed for his age, Ayala appears to be ready to join the Surfers' Rookie affiliate Cayucos Surf if he signs with the team. With talents of 7/7/8/5/8, Ayala has middle of the order potential if he reaches his peak. Scouts note that his defense needs improvement, but also that he appears to have the work ethic necessary to make those improvements.

With the 30th overall pick, in the 1st Round, Supplemental, the Surfers chose right handed pitcher Yasuoka Okamura, a 16 year old out of Japan. There are questions about whether he has the stamina to handle a starters workload, but if his pitches reach their potential, and he increases his velocity, there's a good chance that he makes the bigs as a back end starter with his 8/7/7 talents.

In the second round, 45th overall, Long Beach selected 16 year old lefty Dessalegne Mutemi out of Kenya. He looks to be a corner outfielder with plus power potential, or a middle reliever with an outside shot of late innings reliever with velocity bumps. No word from the team about where they plan to play him, but there appears to be big league potential there.

With their first of two picks in the 2nd Round, Supplemental, the Surfers chose 17 year old LHP Chris Johnson out of Puerto Rico. With 7/7/5 talents, he's likely no more than organizational fodder without any bumps. Scouts say that he possesses the requisite intangibles to improve though, so we'll hang on to hope for a while.