Some time ago we took a look at the progress thus far of the players chosen in the 1st round of the 1965 WPK amateur draft.
The recent retirement of Gary Roop reminded me that now might be a good time to do the same for the 1966 draft.
While it is still early in the history of the WPK and too soon to know how the drafts held so far will pan out in the long run, at this stage of things the 1966 draft, at least as measured by the success of the first round picks, looks like it might be the draft others are measured against going forward.
An Overview:
The 1966 draft was pitching heavy at the top as the first seven picks were all pitchers, and every single one has developed into a big league role. The first position player chosen- high school shortstop Ray Mahony who was picked by Brooklyn at #8- gave up his career before it really even began, having played 10 games in the Rookie League. But a few others, particularly Justin Vargas, Greg Koenig, and Eric Taylor, are developing into stars in the league. Two players from the 1966 first round- Mahony and starting pitcher Kirk Sullivan-retired without ever playing in the WPK. But every other player from this draft has at least earned a small time in the WPK and many are really only just beginning their big league journey.
The Stars:
The first player chosen in the 1966 draft was starting pitcher Mike Stagner out of San Antonio College. He was chosen by the Milwaukee Cadets and in 1973, at the age of 29, Stagner has been an All-Star twice and this year is off to an amazing start in a season that favors hitters, with a 14-1 start and a WPK best 1.87 ERA. The durable power pitching righty won 19 games in 1970 and has a career WAR of 25.2, best of any player so far from the first round of this draft class.
In the long run the 25-year old right fielder Justin Vargas, of the Boston Berserkers, may end up being the best of this class. He already has won a league MVP and is a two-time all-star. Vargas has an impressive speed/power combination and is a decent defensive player. He had a great season in 1971 when he lead the league in batting average at .353 and had a WAR of 6.9. This season, he is already up to a 4.7 WAR and is on track for possibly another MVP season with a 10.2 WAR. He is hitting .346/.407/.640 with 20 homers and 12 stolen bases. He is one of the big reasons the Berserkers have been playing leap frog with Jacksonville all season for best record in the WPK. (Vargas was chosen at #11 by the L.A. Spinners and came to Boston in an off-season trade in 1966 which sent the now retired pitcher Brian Bauer to LA. where he only pitched in 8 games.) Vargas career WAR thus far: 22.6.
Speaking of the Jacksonville Wolf Pack, their 1966 pick (#13), center fielder Greg Koenig is a 3-time All-Star and has the second highest WAR thus far among the 1st round picks from this class at 23.1. At age 28 and injury prone, Koenig's best seasons may be behind him but he's an excellent defender, has great speed, and remains a decent hitter and shouldn't be written off yet.
The Busts:
Kirk Sullivan, chosen at #10 by the San Francisco Velocity, was considered an under-developed but potentially elite pitcher coming out of the University of Texas at Arlington, with scouts projecting him as ending up with incredible control, tremendous stuff, and well above average movement. But he never developed, playing 3 years in the minors, never getting above single A, and putting up 6.9 WAR. The Grand Prairie, Texas native retired from professional baseball in October of 1969.
One to Watch:
Mark Marple, the 28-year old Seattle relief pitcher, has one of the best fastballs in the WPK and his stuff is electric. Control can be an issue and his movement is just a bit above average, but he led the league in saves 1972, is a great leader, and while his K/9 numbers are down this year he is still very much one to watch.
