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reds1 · 07-08-2018, 01:44 AM

EMBRO, Dec. 6 – Hope and optimism, not to mention tobacco smoke and chatter, filled the air at the Embro Civic Auditorium as representatives from all 16 teams of the United Leagues convened to conduct the 13th Annual Amateur Draft. Months of hard work by scouts and general managers all came down to this day, as teams hoped their selections would lead to future successes on the field. For the second straight year, the draft comprised of 10 rounds. The Hespeler Stars had the first overall selection this year, followed by the Wellington Athletics and Brunswick Legends.

The following is a brief overview of the 16 players taken in the first round:

1st Pick – Hespeler Stars:

IF/OF John McMurray (28/80) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.

Last year, the Wellington Athletics selected Matthew Floyd, a native of Hespeler. This year, the Hespeler Stars select the dynamic John McMurray from Wellington. Scouts hail the young McMurray as an outstanding potential 5-tool player: above average contact with power to go along with blazing speed, outstanding defense and a tremendous throwing arm. McMurray is a complete player that should become a multiple all-star. He has been assigned to Hespeler’s AA team, the Muir Electrics.

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2nd Pick – Wellington Athletics:

IF Carl Townsend (20/76) – 21-years old; 5’-6”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Athletics select a California native, Carl Townsend, second overall. Townsend is blessed with plus-plus contact, a good eye and a smooth swing. That should allow him to hit for high average. As a second baseman, Townsend should be decent defensively and overall, an elite infielder for years to come. He will start things off with Wellington’s AA club, the Evansville Clowns.

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3rd Pick – Brunswick Legends:

C Robert Kersey (20/73) – 21-years old; 5’-9”, 185 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH.

Brunswick goes with Kersey from Cambria, a catcher with the potential to be a .350 hitter with very good defensive skills and a strong arm. While base-stealing is not in his arsenal, he should be a tough out with some pop. He gets his start with the AA Jarvis Smokers.

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4th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:

OF Cooper Tyson (20/73) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.

The Trolleys take Tyson 4th overall, an incredibly gifted defensive outfielder with impressive speed. While Tyson has the makings of an award-winning defender, the Stratford-native also has the potential to be a well-round offensive player. He will make his way to the AA Hopetown Islanders to start his professional career.

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5th Pick – Sherburn Tigers:

OF Freddie Instone (20/80) – 18-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH.

Instone, a product of Birmingham, Dunwich, is projected to be a sensational contact hitter with decent power. Blessed with a strong arm and excellent speed, Instone should a starter for years to come. The Tigers have assigned him to their AA team, the Hannon Greyhounds.

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6th Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings:

IF Douglas Jones (20/71) – 18-years old; 5’-11”, 155 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

Another well-rounded player gets selected, this time by the Red Stockings. Jones, a Hespeler native, should be a mainstay in the field with a great arm and solid baserunning ability. But scouts are also impressed by his work at the plate, with good pitch recognition and a sweet swing. He has been assigned to the AA Cardiff Crushers.

7th Pick – Embro Suns:

RHP George Carter (20/68) – 20-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH.

The Suns select the first pitcher in the draft, 20-year old Carter from Braeland City. While Carter’s stuff is not overwhelming, he will compensate that with great movement and pinpoint control. With five pitches in his repertoire at present, scouts feel that Carter has the potential to become a top of the rotation pitcher if he continues to develop. He makes his way to the AA Lythmore Atoms.

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8th Pick – Queensland Eagles:

IF/OF Perry Jordan (20/71) – 23-years old; 5’-7”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Eagles liked what they saw in the Canadian-born Jordan and made him their first-overall pick. The scouts agree. Jordan has nice balance both at the plate and in the field. While he may not win many batting titles, he should still hit for high average with some power. Second base is his strongest position. With a good arm and decent speed, he should be a solid defender and steal a base or two. He heads to the AA Innerkip Oysters.

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

9th Pick – Kingston Pelicans:

C Gareth Mawle (20/67) – contact (50/65), gap power (50/65) and eye (40/55). 21-years old; 5’-11”, 200 lbs.; normal, line drive hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The second catcher selected in the first round, Mawle has the tools to be an everyday starter in the United Leagues, with good contact and promising pitch recognition skills. While he doesn’t have a ton of speed (40), he is above average at stealing bases (55). The Brunswick native Mawle will start things off with the AA Elgin Angels.

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10th Pick – Balmoral Giants:

IF/OF Cedric Bristow (20/67) – contact (45/55), gap power (40/55) and eye (40/55). 22-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; normal, groundball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Cobourg-born Bristow is projected to be an absolute nightmare on the base paths with his incredible base-stealing abilities (80-80-80). At the plate, he should make consistent, hard contact. While able to play 1B (45) and 3B (30), his strongest position is in the outfield: LF (70), CF (65) and RF (55), with terrific range (70) and arm (55). He will play centerfield with the AA Georgetown Goldbugs.

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11th Pick – Downie Chiefs:

IF Freddie Ogburn (20/60) – contact (40/60), gap power (40/60) and eye (30/50). 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; spray, flyball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The young Ogburn has the makings of a reliable hitter, with decent judgment of the strike zone and quick bat. However, off-speed stuff can fool him at present. Not noted for his speed or position strength (35 at 3B is the best), he has really good defensive ratings: infield range (60) and infield arm (80). Hailing from Balmoral, Ogburn will now head to the AA Minto Tribe.

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12th Pick – Cambria Cannons:

OF Calvin Hanbridge (20/65) – contact (35/60), gap power (45/60) and eye (35/70). 18-years old; 6’-1”, 180 lbs.; spray, flyball hitter; Bats LH/Throws LH.

The Cannons takes the Australian Hanbridge from Brisbane. Hanbridge’s greatest strength is at the plate. Above average contact and patience should generate a high batting average and plenty of walks. While he has some speed (55) and can swipe a base or two (50), defense is not a strength (30 at LF/RF, 25 at CF). He heads to the AA Vandecar Spurs.

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13th Pick – Stratford Barons:

OF Don North (20/61) – contact (30/50), gap power (35/55) and eye (35/60). 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats LH/Throws LH.

Don North’s calling card will be his bat, as he has the strength (30/55) to put a charge in the baseball every time he comes to the plate. He has good strike zone recognition and average contact potential. While he has very good speed (60), he is not adept to steal many bases yet. Also, while he has a good arm (60), his defensive positioning is not great (30 at RF is as good as it gets). The Fort Richmond born North will make his way to the AA Brockville Bears.

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14th Pick – Wolseley Unions:

RHP Joseph Sellwood (24/62) – stuff (40/50), movement (55/65), control (40/65), stamina (50). 22-years old; 6’-0”, 185 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 89-91 mph velocity; Normal (3/4) slot; Bats LH

The second pitcher and Birmingham native selected in the first round, Sellwood has the potential to be rotation anchor. He has good stuff and very good movement and control. He has five impressive pitches in the works: fastball (45/50), curveball (40/55), changeup (30/55), splitter (45/50) and forkball (40/45). He makes his first start with the AA Waterloo Whips.

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15th Pick – Fort Richmond Generals:

RHP Kazurnori Fujimoto (20/53) – stuff (35/40), movement (60/70), control (40/60), stamina (45). 23-years old; 5’-11”, 185 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 89-91 mph velocity; Ove the top slot; Bats RH

The Generals follow Wolseley with a pitcher selection of their own: 23-year old Fujimoto from the small town of Selby, Perth. Fujimoto has the tools to one become a No. 2 starter. While he doesn’t have great stuff, he has amazing movement and pinpoint control. He has three pitches, although none are extraordinary: fastball (45/45), curveball (40/450 and splitter (40/50). Fort Richmond has assigned him to the AA Marburg Mustangs.

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16th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:

RHP Taylor Folkard (20/52) – stuff (40/50), movement (55/65) and control (35/55); stamina (55). 21-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 87-89 mph velocity; stamina (55); Bats RH.

Rounding out the first round, the Monarchs take a pitcher as well. The Sherburn-native Folkard should be a useful arm in the rotation, with a four-pitch repertoire: fastball (40/45), slider (40/50), changeup (45/55) and splitter (35/40). He will pound the zone and has good movement that should help keep the ball in the park. He will get his start with the AA Kingsville Royals.

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Here are the standings at the end of games on December 31:

07-08-2018, 01:44 AM	#449
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	EMBRO, Dec. 6 – Hope and optimism, not to mention tobacco smoke and chatter, filled the air at the Embro Civic Auditorium as representatives from all 16 teams of the United Leagues convened to conduct the 13th Annual Amateur Draft. Months of hard work by scouts and general managers all came down to this day, as teams hoped their selections would lead to future successes on the field. For the second straight year, the draft comprised of 10 rounds. The Hespeler Stars had the first overall selection this year, followed by the Wellington Athletics and Brunswick Legends. The following is a brief overview of the 16 players taken in the first round: 1st Pick – Hespeler Stars: IF/OF John McMurray (28/80) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH. Last year, the Wellington Athletics selected Matthew Floyd, a native of Hespeler. This year, the Hespeler Stars select the dynamic John McMurray from Wellington. Scouts hail the young McMurray as an outstanding potential 5-tool player: above average contact with power to go along with blazing speed, outstanding defense and a tremendous throwing arm. McMurray is a complete player that should become a multiple all-star. He has been assigned to Hespeler’s AA team, the Muir Electrics. -------- 2nd Pick – Wellington Athletics: IF Carl Townsend (20/76) – 21-years old; 5’-6”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. The Athletics select a California native, Carl Townsend, second overall. Townsend is blessed with plus-plus contact, a good eye and a smooth swing. That should allow him to hit for high average. As a second baseman, Townsend should be decent defensively and overall, an elite infielder for years to come. He will start things off with Wellington’s AA club, the Evansville Clowns. -------- 3rd Pick – Brunswick Legends: C Robert Kersey (20/73) – 21-years old; 5’-9”, 185 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH. Brunswick goes with Kersey from Cambria, a catcher with the potential to be a .350 hitter with very good defensive skills and a strong arm. While base-stealing is not in his arsenal, he should be a tough out with some pop. He gets his start with the AA Jarvis Smokers. -------- 4th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys: OF Cooper Tyson (20/73) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH. The Trolleys take Tyson 4th overall, an incredibly gifted defensive outfielder with impressive speed. While Tyson has the makings of an award-winning defender, the Stratford-native also has the potential to be a well-round offensive player. He will make his way to the AA Hopetown Islanders to start his professional career. -------- 5th Pick – Sherburn Tigers: OF Freddie Instone (20/80) – 18-years old; 5’-9”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH. Instone, a product of Birmingham, Dunwich, is projected to be a sensational contact hitter with decent power. Blessed with a strong arm and excellent speed, Instone should a starter for years to come. The Tigers have assigned him to their AA team, the Hannon Greyhounds. -------- 6th Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings: IF Douglas Jones (20/71) – 18-years old; 5’-11”, 155 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. Another well-rounded player gets selected, this time by the Red Stockings. Jones, a Hespeler native, should be a mainstay in the field with a great arm and solid baserunning ability. But scouts are also impressed by his work at the plate, with good pitch recognition and a sweet swing. He has been assigned to the AA Cardiff Crushers. 7th Pick – Embro Suns: RHP George Carter (20/68) – 20-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH. The Suns select the first pitcher in the draft, 20-year old Carter from Braeland City. While Carter’s stuff is not overwhelming, he will compensate that with great movement and pinpoint control. With five pitches in his repertoire at present, scouts feel that Carter has the potential to become a top of the rotation pitcher if he continues to develop. He makes his way to the AA Lythmore Atoms. -------- 8th Pick – Queensland Eagles: IF/OF Perry Jordan (20/71) – 23-years old; 5’-7”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH. The Eagles liked what they saw in the Canadian-born Jordan and made him their first-overall pick. The scouts agree. Jordan has nice balance both at the plate and in the field. While he may not win many batting titles, he should still hit for high average with some power. Second base is his strongest position. With a good arm and decent speed, he should be a solid defender and steal a base or two. He heads to the AA Innerkip Oysters. -------- Here is the rest of the first round, selections 9-16: 9th Pick – Kingston Pelicans: C Gareth Mawle (20/67) – contact (50/65), gap power (50/65) and eye (40/55). 21-years old; 5’-11”, 200 lbs.; normal, line drive hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH. The second catcher selected in the first round, Mawle has the tools to be an everyday starter in the United Leagues, with good contact and promising pitch recognition skills. While he doesn’t have a ton of speed (40), he is above average at stealing bases (55). The Brunswick native Mawle will start things off with the AA Elgin Angels. -------- 10th Pick – Balmoral Giants: IF/OF Cedric Bristow (20/67) – contact (45/55), gap power (40/55) and eye (40/55). 22-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; normal, groundball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH. The Cobourg-born Bristow is projected to be an absolute nightmare on the base paths with his incredible base-stealing abilities (80-80-80). At the plate, he should make consistent, hard contact. While able to play 1B (45) and 3B (30), his strongest position is in the outfield: LF (70), CF (65) and RF (55), with terrific range (70) and arm (55). He will play centerfield with the AA Georgetown Goldbugs. -------- 11th Pick – Downie Chiefs: IF Freddie Ogburn (20/60) – contact (40/60), gap power (40/60) and eye (30/50). 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; spray, flyball hitter; Bats RH/Throws RH. The young Ogburn has the makings of a reliable hitter, with decent judgment of the strike zone and quick bat. However, off-speed stuff can fool him at present. Not noted for his speed or position strength (35 at 3B is the best), he has really good defensive ratings: infield range (60) and infield arm (80). Hailing from Balmoral, Ogburn will now head to the AA Minto Tribe. -------- 12th Pick – Cambria Cannons: OF Calvin Hanbridge (20/65) – contact (35/60), gap power (45/60) and eye (35/70). 18-years old; 6’-1”, 180 lbs.; spray, flyball hitter; Bats LH/Throws LH. The Cannons takes the Australian Hanbridge from Brisbane. Hanbridge’s greatest strength is at the plate. Above average contact and patience should generate a high batting average and plenty of walks. While he has some speed (55) and can swipe a base or two (50), defense is not a strength (30 at LF/RF, 25 at CF). He heads to the AA Vandecar Spurs. -------- 13th Pick – Stratford Barons: OF Don North (20/61) – contact (30/50), gap power (35/55) and eye (35/60). 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; normal, flyball hitter; Bats LH/Throws LH. Don North’s calling card will be his bat, as he has the strength (30/55) to put a charge in the baseball every time he comes to the plate. He has good strike zone recognition and average contact potential. While he has very good speed (60), he is not adept to steal many bases yet. Also, while he has a good arm (60), his defensive positioning is not great (30 at RF is as good as it gets). The Fort Richmond born North will make his way to the AA Brockville Bears. -------- 14th Pick – Wolseley Unions: RHP Joseph Sellwood (24/62) – stuff (40/50), movement (55/65), control (40/65), stamina (50). 22-years old; 6’-0”, 185 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 89-91 mph velocity; Normal (3/4) slot; Bats LH The second pitcher and Birmingham native selected in the first round, Sellwood has the potential to be rotation anchor. He has good stuff and very good movement and control. He has five impressive pitches in the works: fastball (45/50), curveball (40/55), changeup (30/55), splitter (45/50) and forkball (40/45). He makes his first start with the AA Waterloo Whips. -------- 15th Pick – Fort Richmond Generals: RHP Kazurnori Fujimoto (20/53) – stuff (35/40), movement (60/70), control (40/60), stamina (45). 23-years old; 5’-11”, 185 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 89-91 mph velocity; Ove the top slot; Bats RH The Generals follow Wolseley with a pitcher selection of their own: 23-year old Fujimoto from the small town of Selby, Perth. Fujimoto has the tools to one become a No. 2 starter. While he doesn’t have great stuff, he has amazing movement and pinpoint control. He has three pitches, although none are extraordinary: fastball (45/45), curveball (40/450 and splitter (40/50). Fort Richmond has assigned him to the AA Marburg Mustangs. -------- 16th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs: RHP Taylor Folkard (20/52) – stuff (40/50), movement (55/65) and control (35/55); stamina (55). 21-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; groundball pitcher; 87-89 mph velocity; stamina (55); Bats RH. Rounding out the first round, the Monarchs take a pitcher as well. The Sherburn-native Folkard should be a useful arm in the rotation, with a four-pitch repertoire: fastball (40/45), slider (40/50), changeup (45/55) and splitter (35/40). He will pound the zone and has good movement that should help keep the ball in the park. He will get his start with the AA Kingsville Royals. -------- Here are the standings at the end of games on December 31: __________________ United Leagues of Braeland