SURFERS GRAB INFIELDERS IN ROUND ONE
Gary Tinstaap
June 1, 2046
Long Beach, CA
The Surfers held the 24th overall pick in the 2046 BBA Amateur draft. This is the lowest that the team has picked since 2036, when they had the 29th overall selection. This year's draft is heavy on high-end pitching talent, though you wouldn't know that from the picks that Long Beach made in the first round. They've chosen to zig while the league zags, and we'll see how that turns out. If these picks come to fruition, we could be looking at the future middle infield for the Surfers in the next decade.
Round 1 / Pick 24
2B Steveland Morris
B/T: S/R
Current: 4/5/1/3/4
Potential: 8/7/2/5/8
IF Range: 9
IF Error: 7
IF Arm: 9
TDP: 8
SPD: 11
STL: 13
With the 24th overall pick in the first round, the Surfers picked infielder Steveland Morris, a potential shortstop out of high school. Morris is a switch hitter, with no glaring platoon splits right now. His defense looks borderline to play short at the BBA level, but at 19 years old, there's certainly time for improvement, or for the average SS fielding in the BBA to drop a bit. What he lacks in power, he should certainly make up for in speed. Word around the scouting community indicates that he could be the best base stealer in the BBA since Mons Raider. Now, it's likely that the BBA will never see another 173 SB season like Raider had in 2033, Morris would be the only player in the BBA today with a 13 steal rating. Regardless of how he turns out, it's certainly a departure from the typical Long Beach approach.
OFP: 65 - 1st Division SS
Likely: 60 - 1st Division 2B
BBA ETA: 2048
Round 1-S / Pick 38 (Compensation for loss of Millard Younger)
2B Ski Melillo
B/T: R/R
Current: 3/2/1/1/2
Potential: 10/4/1/5/9
IF Range: 6
IF Error: 8
IF Arm: 4
TDP: 7
With the 38th overall pick in the first round, the Surfers picked second baseman Ski Mellilo, a 21 year old right handed hitter out of college. Speaking of departures from the typical LBC approach, Melillo certainly fits that trend. An underdeveloped righty out of college, Melillo also has no power. He doesn't have the base stealing ability that Morris does, but he projects as a low strikeout hitter, and scouts rave about his work ethic and adaptability. His defense should be acceptable at second base, and his high contact approach could spell trouble for opposing pitchers at the top of the lineup with the speedster Morris.
OFP: 60 - 1st Division 2B
Likely: 50 - 2nd Division 2B
BBA ETA: 2049
2046.03 - The Long Beach Independent - 2046 Amateur Draft Round 1
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2046.03 - The Long Beach Independent - 2046 Amateur Draft Round 1
Stephen Lane
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Re: 2046.03 - The Long Beach Independent - 2046 Amateur Draft Round 1
I almost selected Morris with my pick at 14th overall. I love that he switch hits and has not splits yet, and his speed is ridiculous. I felt he'd be a guy I could plug in at 2B or even SS for years and see positive WAR. Good pick.
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Re: 2046.03 - The Long Beach Independent - 2046 Amateur Draft Round 1
Thanks. His defense will definitely be suspect at SS but he might hit/run enough to make up for it. Barring that, he should be a fun 2Bshoeless.db wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:56 amI almost selected Morris with my pick at 14th overall. I love that he switch hits and has not splits yet, and his speed is ridiculous. I felt he'd be a guy I could plug in at 2B or even SS for years and see positive WAR. Good pick.
Stephen Lane
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026
Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
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Re: 2046.03 - The Long Beach Independent - 2046 Amateur Draft Round 1
I'd trade for him today for my first rounder from last year, Dallas Dixon. hmu...hahaLane wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:10 pmThanks. His defense will definitely be suspect at SS but he might hit/run enough to make up for it. Barring that, he should be a fun 2Bshoeless.db wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:56 amI almost selected Morris with my pick at 14th overall. I love that he switch hits and has not splits yet, and his speed is ridiculous. I felt he'd be a guy I could plug in at 2B or even SS for years and see positive WAR. Good pick.
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Re: 2046.03 - The Long Beach Independent - 2046 Amateur Draft Round 1
Could have your own Trammell & Whitaker there....
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