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reds1 · 03-12-2017, 02:57 PM

December 6, 1946

Fort Richmond, Norfolk (BP) – The sixteen club members of the United Leagues converged in Fort Richmond for the 10th Annual Amateur Draft. The opulent banquet hall at the stately Sovereign Hotel served as the meeting place, where 8 rounds were scheduled for the day-long event. The draft was filled with several intriguing prospects, but one player was particularly prized as the consensus view on him was that he was major league ready.

The first selection was made by the Downie Chiefs, followed by the Pulberry Trolleys and Balmoral Giants. Here is a brief rundown of the 16 players taken in the first round:

1st Pick – Downie Chiefs:

IF Manuel Castaneda (62/80) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Downie Chiefs surprised no one by selecting Manuel Castaneda from Mexico. The 22-year old is considered by scouts to be ready for the major leagues right now. Castaneda projects to be a terrific contact hitter (.380) with great plate discipline. His defense at shortstop is elite and he has well-above average speed on the base paths.

Update: Shortly after making the selection, the Chiefs did indeed promote Castaneda to their roster. He becomes their shortstop for the present and future and will bat second in the lineup.

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2nd Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:

OF John Oldknow (22/80) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

While Pulberry does not get a player who can step into their lineup right away as the Chiefs did, they aren’t complaining. Oldknow has few, if any weaknesses. He projects to be a great hitter with some raw power with above-average foot speed and decent defense. He will report to the Hopetown Islanders, Pulberry’s AA farm team.

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3rd Pick – Balmoral Giants:

OF Peter Diamond (23/80) – 21-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH.

The Balmoral Giants select the appropriately named Peter Diamond as their first pick. Diamond is not projected to be a high average or home run hitter, as his pitch recognition could use some work. But he has great patience at the plate and solid defense in the outfield as well as jaw-dropping speed. He should prove to be a nightmare for catchers and scouts noted his ability to read pitchers pick-off moves. Only his poor work ethic is a concern. He has been assigned to the AA Georgetown Goldbugs.

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4th Pick – Hespeler Stars:

RHP Kent Dundon (20/80) – 18-years old; 6’-0”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH.

Hespeler goes with the young man from New Zealand, the first pitcher selected in this year’s draft. Dundon is blessed with good stuff and outstanding movement. His control however, is considered merely average. Still, he should have a good selection of pitches at his disposal when he reaches the majors. For now, though, he will get his feet wet with the AA Muir Electrics.

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5th Pick – Wellington Athletics:

OF Harvey Thornber (21/80) – 19-years old; 5’-8”, 155 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

Like first overall pick Castaneda, scouts think highly of Harvey Thornber’s ability at the plate, with very high contact (.380 again) with some pop (maybe 20 a year). While his eye is average and his defense in the outfield is underwhelming, he has very good speed on basepaths. He is off to the AA Evansville Clowns.

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6th Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings:

1B Harry Doxey (23/80) – 21-years old; 6’-0”, 210 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Red Stockings take a proto-typical 1B for their first pick, the one position where they do not have good depth in their system. Doxey should be an outstanding hitter with amazing contact and solid power. His defense is average and will not be looked upon to steal bases, but if his bat delivers as promised, those other skills will not be necessary. He will be assigned to the AA Cardiff Crushers to start things off.

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7th Pick – Cambria Cannons:

1B Carlos Correa (22/80) – 20-years old; 6’-2”, 215 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The second 1B and player from Mexico is selected by Cambria. Like Doxey selected ahead of him, Correa’s calling card is his bat; he has plus contact potential with some power. Defense may be an issue and he is not a fluid baserunner. He will start with the AA Vandecar Spurs.

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8th Pick – Fort Richmond Generals:

IF/OF Nobuyoshi Yoshida (26/77) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Fort Richmond Generals pick up a defensively versatile player in Yoshida, who hails from Embro, Dunwich. Yoshida also has very good contact potential, but is not a home run threat and won’t draw too many walks. But he is sure-handed and reliable in the field and will steal a few bases. The AA Marburg Mustangs will be his first destination.

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Here is the rest of the first round, selections 9-16:

9th Pick – Queensland Eagles:

RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (20/80) – stuff (35/50), movement (60/75) and control (20/55). 19-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; groundball tendency; 86-88 Mph velocity; Bats LH.

The Eagles select the second pitcher taken in the draft, a native of St. Thomas, Oxford. Micklethwait projects to be a well-balanced pitcher with respectable stuff, top-notch movement and decent control. He has three main pitches: fastball (40/45), curveball (40/60) and slider (40/55). His changeup will need some work (20/30) however. He is off to the AA Innerkip Oysters.

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10th Pick – Wolseley Unions:

LHP Axel MacKay (20/79) – stuff (35/50), movement (60/70) and control (30/50). 21-years old; 6’-5”, 210 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 88-90 Mph velocity; Bats RH.

The Unions also go with a starting pitcher, selecting MacKay from Brisbane, Australia. Th southpaw has nice stuff with top-notch movement and average control. His main pitches are the sinker (45/50), changeup (30/55) and forkball (45/55). His curveball is only so-so (30/30). Wolseley has assigned him to the AA Waterloo Whips.

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11th Pick – Brunswick Legends:

RHP Dominic Whitmore (20/78) – stuff (35/45), movement (55/70) and control (30/50). 20-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; groundball tendency; 89-91 Mph velocity; Bats RH.

For the third pick in a row, a pitcher is selected. In this case, Brunswick goes with the 20-year old from Kingston, Oxford. Whitmore has respectable stuff, especially if he gets smarter and stronger. His movement is outstanding to go along with decent control. He has several pitches in his repertoire, but apart from his forkball (45/55), none of them standout: fastball (35/35), curveball (25/40), slider (35/45) and changeup (25/25). He will work on his craft with the AA Jarvis Smokers.

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12th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:

C Alexander Pyatt (23/77) – contact (45/70), gap power (50/65) and eye (40/55). 20-years old; 5’-9”, 180 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Monarchs go with an offense-first catcher in Pyatt. The Hespeler native has terrific contact potential and a good eye. While he has some power, it won’t be anything to write home about. He is merely average in the field and is not a good runner. The AA Kingsville Royals will be his first assignment.

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13th Pick – Embro Suns:

IF Napana Mamo (21/80) – contact (30/55), gap power (45/65) and eye (30/55). 19-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The first Fijian selected, Mamo’s greatest strength is his bat. He is projected to be a .300 hitter with some power and an average eye. He also has well above-average foot speed. However, his biggest challenge will be his defense: rated 35 at 1B and 30 at 2B. That is something he can work on with the AA Lythmore Atoms.

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14th Pick – Stratford Barons:

RHP Alonso Martínez (20/74) – stuff (40/50), movement (55/65) and control (30/50). 20-years old; 5’-8”, 160 lbs.; neutral; 89-91 Mph velocity; Bats LH.

The fifth pitcher taken in the first round, Martínez from Juarez, Chihuahua, should have nice stuff, above average movement and average command. He has three main pitches: fastball (45/50), slider (45/55) and forkball (45/55). He also has a changeup (20/25) that could use some work. The Barons have assigned him to the AA Brockville Bears.

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15th Pick – Sherburn Tigers:

OF Noah Teale (22/79) – contact (40/60), gap power (40/55) and eye (30/50). 20-years old; 5’-11”, 175 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats LH/Throws RH.

The Tigers selected a well-rounded player in Teale. He projects to have above-average contact, some pop and a solid eye. While he may not win any defensive awards, he is competent in the field (especially at CF-50). Perhaps his greatest strength will be on basepaths (speed-75, stealing-80, baserunning-80). He is off to the AA Hannon Greyhounds.

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16th Pick – Kingston Pelicans:

2B Charlie Cockin (21/80) – contact (35/65), gap power (30/50) and eye (20/45). 18-years old; 5’-10”, 165 lbs.; normal, line drive hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The final selection of the first round, the Pelicans take the serviceable infielder from Brooklin, Dunwich. Cockin’s biggest strength is his terrific ability to make contact. However, plate discipline will be a concern and he won’t be a power guy. But his defense at 2B is respectable and while he won’t be mistaken for a base-stealer, he won’t be a liability on the basepaths either.

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Here are the standings as of December 31:

03-12-2017, 02:57 PM	#332
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 6, 1946 Fort Richmond, Norfolk (BP) – The sixteen club members of the United Leagues converged in Fort Richmond for the 10th Annual Amateur Draft. The opulent banquet hall at the stately Sovereign Hotel served as the meeting place, where 8 rounds were scheduled for the day-long event. The draft was filled with several intriguing prospects, but one player was particularly prized as the consensus view on him was that he was major league ready. The first selection was made by the Downie Chiefs, followed by the Pulberry Trolleys and Balmoral Giants. Here is a brief rundown of the 16 players taken in the first round: 1st Pick – Downie Chiefs: IF Manuel Castaneda (62/80) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. The Downie Chiefs surprised no one by selecting Manuel Castaneda from Mexico. The 22-year old is considered by scouts to be ready for the major leagues right now. Castaneda projects to be a terrific contact hitter (.380) with great plate discipline. His defense at shortstop is elite and he has well-above average speed on the base paths. *Update:* Shortly after making the selection, the Chiefs did indeed promote Castaneda to their roster. He becomes their shortstop for the present and future and will bat second in the lineup. -------- 2nd Pick – Pulberry Trolleys: OF John Oldknow (22/80) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. While Pulberry does not get a player who can step into their lineup right away as the Chiefs did, they aren’t complaining. Oldknow has few, if any weaknesses. He projects to be a great hitter with some raw power with above-average foot speed and decent defense. He will report to the Hopetown Islanders, Pulberry’s AA farm team. -------- 3rd Pick – Balmoral Giants: OF Peter Diamond (23/80) – 21-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH. The Balmoral Giants select the appropriately named Peter Diamond as their first pick. Diamond is not projected to be a high average or home run hitter, as his pitch recognition could use some work. But he has great patience at the plate and solid defense in the outfield as well as jaw-dropping speed. He should prove to be a nightmare for catchers and scouts noted his ability to read pitchers pick-off moves. Only his poor work ethic is a concern. He has been assigned to the AA Georgetown Goldbugs. -------- 4th Pick – Hespeler Stars: RHP Kent Dundon (20/80) – 18-years old; 6’-0”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH. Hespeler goes with the young man from New Zealand, the first pitcher selected in this year’s draft. Dundon is blessed with good stuff and outstanding movement. His control however, is considered merely average. Still, he should have a good selection of pitches at his disposal when he reaches the majors. For now, though, he will get his feet wet with the AA Muir Electrics. -------- 5th Pick – Wellington Athletics: OF Harvey Thornber (21/80) – 19-years old; 5’-8”, 155 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Like first overall pick Castaneda, scouts think highly of Harvey Thornber’s ability at the plate, with very high contact (.380 again) with some pop (maybe 20 a year). While his eye is average and his defense in the outfield is underwhelming, he has very good speed on basepaths. He is off to the AA Evansville Clowns. -------- 6th Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings: 1B Harry Doxey (23/80) – 21-years old; 6’-0”, 210 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. The Red Stockings take a proto-typical 1B for their first pick, the one position where they do not have good depth in their system. Doxey should be an outstanding hitter with amazing contact and solid power. His defense is average and will not be looked upon to steal bases, but if his bat delivers as promised, those other skills will not be necessary. He will be assigned to the AA Cardiff Crushers to start things off. -------- 7th Pick – Cambria Cannons: 1B Carlos Correa (22/80) – 20-years old; 6’-2”, 215 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. The second 1B and player from Mexico is selected by Cambria. Like Doxey selected ahead of him, Correa’s calling card is his bat; he has plus contact potential with some power. Defense may be an issue and he is not a fluid baserunner. He will start with the AA Vandecar Spurs. -------- 8th Pick – Fort Richmond Generals: IF/OF Nobuyoshi Yoshida (26/77) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. The Fort Richmond Generals pick up a defensively versatile player in Yoshida, who hails from Embro, Dunwich. Yoshida also has very good contact potential, but is not a home run threat and won’t draw too many walks. But he is sure-handed and reliable in the field and will steal a few bases. The AA Marburg Mustangs will be his first destination. -------- Here is the rest of the first round, selections 9-16: 9th Pick – Queensland Eagles: RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (20/80) – stuff (35/50), movement (60/75) and control (20/55). 19-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; groundball tendency; 86-88 Mph velocity; Bats LH. The Eagles select the second pitcher taken in the draft, a native of St. Thomas, Oxford. Micklethwait projects to be a well-balanced pitcher with respectable stuff, top-notch movement and decent control. He has three main pitches: fastball (40/45), curveball (40/60) and slider (40/55). His changeup will need some work (20/30) however. He is off to the AA Innerkip Oysters. -------- 10th Pick – Wolseley Unions: LHP Axel MacKay (20/79) – stuff (35/50), movement (60/70) and control (30/50). 21-years old; 6’-5”, 210 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 88-90 Mph velocity; Bats RH. The Unions also go with a starting pitcher, selecting MacKay from Brisbane, Australia. Th southpaw has nice stuff with top-notch movement and average control. His main pitches are the sinker (45/50), changeup (30/55) and forkball (45/55). His curveball is only so-so (30/30). Wolseley has assigned him to the AA Waterloo Whips. -------- 11th Pick – Brunswick Legends: RHP Dominic Whitmore (20/78) – stuff (35/45), movement (55/70) and control (30/50). 20-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; groundball tendency; 89-91 Mph velocity; Bats RH. For the third pick in a row, a pitcher is selected. In this case, Brunswick goes with the 20-year old from Kingston, Oxford. Whitmore has respectable stuff, especially if he gets smarter and stronger. His movement is outstanding to go along with decent control. He has several pitches in his repertoire, but apart from his forkball (45/55), none of them standout: fastball (35/35), curveball (25/40), slider (35/45) and changeup (25/25). He will work on his craft with the AA Jarvis Smokers. -------- 12th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs: C Alexander Pyatt (23/77) – contact (45/70), gap power (50/65) and eye (40/55). 20-years old; 5’-9”, 180 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH. The Monarchs go with an offense-first catcher in Pyatt. The Hespeler native has terrific contact potential and a good eye. While he has some power, it won’t be anything to write home about. He is merely average in the field and is not a good runner. The AA Kingsville Royals will be his first assignment. -------- 13th Pick – Embro Suns: IF Napana Mamo (21/80) – contact (30/55), gap power (45/65) and eye (30/55). 19-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH. The first Fijian selected, Mamo’s greatest strength is his bat. He is projected to be a .300 hitter with some power and an average eye. He also has well above-average foot speed. However, his biggest challenge will be his defense: rated 35 at 1B and 30 at 2B. That is something he can work on with the AA Lythmore Atoms. -------- 14th Pick – Stratford Barons: RHP Alonso Martínez (20/74) – stuff (40/50), movement (55/65) and control (30/50). 20-years old; 5’-8”, 160 lbs.; neutral; 89-91 Mph velocity; Bats LH. The fifth pitcher taken in the first round, Martínez from Juarez, Chihuahua, should have nice stuff, above average movement and average command. He has three main pitches: fastball (45/50), slider (45/55) and forkball (45/55). He also has a changeup (20/25) that could use some work. The Barons have assigned him to the AA Brockville Bears. -------- 15th Pick – Sherburn Tigers: OF Noah Teale (22/79) – contact (40/60), gap power (40/55) and eye (30/50). 20-years old; 5’-11”, 175 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats LH/Throws RH. The Tigers selected a well-rounded player in Teale. He projects to have above-average contact, some pop and a solid eye. While he may not win any defensive awards, he is competent in the field (especially at CF-50). Perhaps his greatest strength will be on basepaths (speed-75, stealing-80, baserunning-80). He is off to the AA Hannon Greyhounds. -------- 16th Pick – Kingston Pelicans: 2B Charlie Cockin (21/80) – contact (35/65), gap power (30/50) and eye (20/45). 18-years old; 5’-10”, 165 lbs.; normal, line drive hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH. The final selection of the first round, the Pelicans take the serviceable infielder from Brooklin, Dunwich. Cockin’s biggest strength is his terrific ability to make contact. However, plate discipline will be a concern and he won’t be a power guy. But his defense at 2B is respectable and while he won’t be mistaken for a base-stealer, he won’t be a liability on the basepaths either. -------- Here are the standings as of December 31: Last edited by reds1; 07-26-2017 at 05:45 PM.