2036.13 - The Long Beach Independent - 2036 Amateur Draft Round 1

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2036 AMATEUR DRAFT ROUND 1 RECAP

It’s being called the best draft class ever. How did your Surfers do in the first round?

Long Beach, CA
April 22, 2036

Well, the Surfers missed the playoffs (we’re going to keep printing that, in hopes that someone from the organization reads this little paper) and the upshot of the better draft pick has been cashed in. This draft class has been called the greatest ever by multiple front office folk around the league. Let’s see how Long Beach did. Our lead prospect writer Gary Tinstaap provides his report cards on the 2036 first-round draftees below.

(NB: OFP = Overall Future Potential, rated 10-100)

Round/Overall: 1/21
CF, RHB Carl von Meister
Current: 5/6/5/5/5
Potential: 7/8/6/6/6
OF/IF Range: 9/8
OF/IF Error: 10/6
OF/IF Arm: 8/7
TDP: 6
Run/Steal/Inst.: 11/11/10

As with previous drafts, notably the 2034 pick of Sloan Daniel, the Surfers picked a well-developed and well-rounded position player with their first pick. His college coaches remark on his excellent work ethic and they marvel at his athleticism in the field. A true CF talent, he could also play 2B, 3B or even SS in a pinch with the proper training. Given the state of CF in the LB organization, we doubt that he’ll play anywhere else, but at least he will have some flexibility. His offensive ceiling is fairly limited, but in combination with his defense and current development, we have no problem seeing him as a BBA center fielder sooner than later. When he gets there, he'll not only be a superior defender, but an excellent base stealer as well. The Surfers are not known for being a speedy team, but they have been know to let guys with ability run. von Meister looks to be one that manager Anthony Light would give the green light to.

OFP: 75 - First Division CF
Likely: 55 - Second Division CF
BBA ETA: mid-late 2037



Round/Overall: 1/29
3B, RHB Ira Sanchez
Current: 5/6/3/4/5
Potential: 7/9/3/5/8
OF/IF Range: 2/8
OF/IF Error: 6/7
OF/IF Arm: 11/10
TDP: 3
Run/Steal/Inst.: 8/9/10
Sac Bunt/BFH: 7/9

In a bit of a puzzling decision, the Surfers went with another right-handed bat out of college. This time. It’s a 3B with decent contact and limited strikeouts. He would be fringy at a position up the middle, but given that he’s got plenty of experience at the hot corner already, we could see him learning SS or 2B to see if he can learn to turn a double play. He should have enough bat to play a bit at the BBA level, but we would like to see a bump in contact or eye for him to really make an impact. At 22, he’s at least low risk and could be a contributor fairly soon. Notably he's rated as 9 ability on bunting for a hit. It's not something we ever talk about much, but perhaps we see the Surfers add a little more small ball to their game.

OFP: 60 – Second Division 3B
Likely: 40 – First Division Utility
BBA ETA: 2038



Round/Overall: 1A/38
IF/OF RHB Pepe Rocha
Current: 2/3/1/2/1
Potential: 7/8/4/6/8
OF/IF Range: 9/7
OF/IF Error: 6/7
OF/IF Arm: 7/4
TDP: 6
Run/Steal/Inst.: 10/9/7

Are you sensing a trend? I’m sensing a trend. Here’s another right-handed college bat, though this one is three years younger and far less developed than the last two. Listed as a center fielder, he looks to be fringy at best there. Left field would probably be his best position, though he could potentially play second base. He’d need to soften his hands, but at 19 years old, he should have plenty of time. If he does fully develop, he could be a decent BBA hitter. At second base, he could have an impact bat, but if he’s stuck in LF then it’s less appealing. Perhaps they should just stick him in CF and hope for some improvement.

OFP: 60 – Second Division CF
Likely: 40 – First Division Utility
BBA ETA: 2040