[ayaghmour2]

C Joe Rainbow (49th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 18th Round, 289th Overall (1931)
Alma Mater: Somerville HS Generals
Last Year Rank: 4th

Here's a prospect that you just can't tell is a top prospect without seeing his actual ratings. The 19-year-old was an 18th Round pick that no one really even considered drafting because he hit .143/.324/.250 (69 OPS+) as a senior. Unfortunately, he didn't hit much better in C Ball, hitting .179/.276/.337 (58 OPS+) in 423 trips to the plate. He did manage 15 homers and 47 RBI's, which is encouraging, but the righty really hasn't looked good at all. My scout is a big fan, and so is OSA, giving him credit for excellent plate discipline and a nice contact tool. He's also supposed to be a quality defender behind the pate, and he did show promise defensively with the Lions. After drafting Harry Mead in the 4th Round, I'd love to move Rainbow up to San Jose, but I really don't think he's ready. I'll likely let the split games behind the plate with Mead occasionally filling in at first and left.

SP Cy Sullivan (68th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 60th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Austin HS Senators
Last Year Rank: New

Just going to change this one a bit since his draft recap was very long:

Taken in the 4th round this year, Sullivan fell on draft boards because no Senator played more shortstop this year then him. As a senior, he was 0-6 with a 6.62 ERA (72 ERA+), 1.84 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched because he had a fellow pitcher manning short and his ground ball percentage is almost 60%. Sullivan is a 6'6'' righty who's bound to see a velocity increase. He's a four pitch pitcher with a mid 80s fastball, change, slider, and curve, all average or better pitches. Despite starting almost half the season at short, Sullivan will be a pitcher only in our organization and he's already our top pitching prospect. I'm really excited for him and I think he's got the potential to be one of the better pitchers in the game. He's just 18, so obviously he's got a long way to go, but I'm really excited to see what he becomes.

SS Billy Hunter (73rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 14th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Cincinnati HS Tigers
Last Year Rank: New

I haven't had any success drafting shortstops, Clint Hinzman in Toronto (traded for Cy Bryant) non withstanding, but I also have never grabbed one in the first round. I generally prioritize SS/CF/SP in most drafts, but there usually isn't one I like enough when my pick comes around. I was elated to see Billy Hunter, a high upside 17-year-old high schooler, still on the board at 14. The big reason for that is after hitting 14 homers and driving in 60 runs with OPS+ of 168 and 160 as a sophomore and junior, he slumped as a senior. The Toledo native hit .305/.351/.461 (107 OPS+) with 4 homers and 36 RBI's across 185 trips to the plate. There was a silver lining this year, as after poor showings defensively, he improved his zone rating to a +6.4 and his efficiency to a 1.089. These numbers are extremely encouraging and my scout, who doesn't usually like to hyperbolize, projects him to be "an elite starting shortstop". What's better is that he's young enough to perfectly coincide with when the annual injuries eventually cripple Russ Combs beyond the point of repair.

LF Rich Langton (74th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 46th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Detroit City College Knights
Last Year Rank: New

His junior year was the worst of his three seasons, but the 21-year-old Rich Langton still hit .340/.376/.547 (127 OPS+) with 8 homers, 7 steals, and 48 RBI's. He finished his college career with a very impressive .348/.396/.585 (151 OPS+) batting line with 27 homers, 18 steals, and 135 RBI's in what translates to roughly a full FABL season. His 20/20 potential and positive ratings out in left are almost like an improved version of Vince York. Unlike York, Langton just hits from the right side, but my scout is a big fan of his. He projects him to be a .360 hitter with a ton of upside at the plate, in the field, and on the base path. I like Langton even more then Ed Reyes, who was our first rounder last year and ranks 75th in the FABL. Langton has all the talent needed to be a longtime major league starter.

SP Walker Pearce (78th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 30th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Wilkes-Barre HS Warriors
Last Year Rank: New

I had to do it! Another high school pitcher in the 2nd Round, and even though both Ike Quinn and Roy Byrd's arms have fallen off, Mel Leonard is one of the best prospects in baseball and John Hartz is top 10 in our system (granted a weak one). Pearce is more Leonard then Hartz, however, as the little lefty not only has upside, but also a track record. The senior was 3-3 with a 2.35 ERA (204 ERA+), 1.01 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts in 61.1 innings. He had a sub 3 ERA all three years of High School with 6.5+ K/9 and sub 0.5 HR/9 ratings. Pearce keeps everything on the ground with an elite high 80s sinker and he gets a lot of movement on it and his offspeed stuff. He's got nice command and since he's just 5'9''. a growth spurt can give him a nice velocity boost. I wouldn't say he's an ace, especially with how good our rotation is, but he's a dependable middle of the rotation guy that should be able to step in once Max Wilder eventually reaches the cliff.