PREVIEWING THE 1929 DRAFT
PART 4 - SECOND BASEMEN
There are some really strong defensive second basemen available in this draft. There are also three players who really standout at the top of the list.
1- JAKE SHADDOAN : Liberty College: Just a dominant draft year for Shaddoan (.473/.532/.779) who played 3 seasons for the Bells. Very consistent offense although this year was certainly his best season. Solid defense at second base and the best hitter at his position. Also spent some time at first base and was a second team All-American twice.
2- SAM ORR : Henry Hudson University: Highly touted coming into the season and did not disappoint with a .357/.396/.683 slash line and 18 homeruns. Very good with the glove at second as well and has some speed, Orr stole 11 bases this season. I have followed him for 3 years and felt he would be a first round pick all along. If he drops out of the first round, it will be through no fault of his own but rather just a case of some very good outfield and pitching depth in the class.
3- HENRY CLAYTON : Spartanburg HS: Just an incredible defensive season (+15.2 ZR, 1.253 Eff) by the 17 year old. Pretty good year at the plate as well .387/.451/.486 with only knock could be a lack of pop in his bat.
4- VINCE BURKETT : Bayou State: 2 years of very strong defense and some power with 48 homeruns in 150 career college games. Needs to cut down on strikeouts is the one knock on him. .282/.355/.672 in his draft year.
5- RAY BARNES: Boulder State - Another very strong defensive second baseman, Barnes was also a career .372 hitter in his 150 games with the Grizzlies. Slashed .373/.444/.458 this past season.
6- ED SINGLETARY : Louisville HS - .361/.425/.452 in his draft year. Just 1 career homerun and he is undersized so the power may never come but he did hit 35 doubles in 120 career games. Defense is solid.
7-TOM GREGORY : New Orleans HS - No question that Gregory can hit after slashing .405/.447/.549 but his defense does raise some red flags. Perhaps a move to third base is in his future as he likely lacks the power associated with first base, although first might be a much better long term defensive option for the 17 year old.
8- SAM LEHMAN : Tulsa HS - Be tough to find a better defensive second baseman than Lehman, who can also easily handle third base. Very little power as of yet. Slashed .301/.349/.373 but a 15.4 ZR and 1.235 defensive efficiency should get him noticed.
9- JOE FRETWELL : Chicago HS - Another strong defensive high school second baseman, Fretwell needs to get better at the plate. Slashed .295/.380/.416 in his draft year. Does have 10 homers in his high school career and a .468 career slugging percentage.
10- JOE HONEYWOOD : Cambridge HS - Unlike most of the other high school 2B to make this list, Honeywood's defense could be a concern. He does look like he has some offensive potential and improved his batting average and OBP each of his 3 seasons - slashing .389/.474/.473 in his draft year.