The Hawaii Tropics drafted South America Gulls (IFC) SS Norm Kissel with their 1st Round Pick, #27 overall. Kissel played short for the Gulls and won the IFC Championship back in February of this year. In 33 games with the Gulls, he slashed .439/.523/.583 with two homers, 24 RBI and scored 24 runs. He hit 11 doubles, a triple and two homers, drew 18 walks while striking out just 6 times. He posted a 165 wRC+ and a 1.8 WAR. He played well at short committing no errors in 102 chances while turning 23 double plays and making 57 assists. He had a 1.111 def eff and a +3.2-zone rating.
OSA has rated him a 10/9/11/5/3/4 hitting potential but his base running leaves a lot to be desired. His defense is rated a 2/6 at second and 4/5 as a shortstop with 6 range, 5 error, 7 arm and 7 double play.
The Tropics ran his ratings through their defensive assessment system and came up with these ratings-
The Tropics ran his ratings through their hitter assessment system, and it produced these numbers-
Hawaii management stated they will give Kissel time around the infield at second, short and third then send him to the development lab for some infield work.
Hawaii GM Jim Walker said, “He’s gonna hit so we just need to find a position to get him in the lineup when he gets to the big leagues. He has just a season at the IFC so we’ll send him to Short A San Juan and let him soak in the teachings of Hitting Coach Lindsey Miners.”
