[ayaghmour2]

The pool has been loaded, and we're beginning the draft this weekend. Some new players have been added, but they have no stats. I can't really see myself taking any of these guys in the first round, or maybe even second, but here are some interesting guys to keep an eye on:

CF Rats McGonigle
School: Bronx Tech
The name alone is enough to warrant a draft selection, and with no stats, a name is enough pull. Add in the nickname "The Ringer from Stringer" and there's no doubt in my mind that Rats McGonigle belongs in a big league organization. Tom loves him, thinks he's the second best prospect in the pool, but I think I'll find it hard to take a guy with no stats. A literal baseball rat, McGonigle worked his way on to the Bronx Tech roster, and will get his first chance as a junior. He's an above average defender out in center, and he could effortlessly move to left or right as well. He's got plus contact ability and OSA thinks he'll be an elite hitter and defensive marvel in center. The scouts love him, the writers love him, and I imagine the fans will love him. Of all the stat-less players, I think he'll be the first one selected, but I can't imagine he'll be one of the first few picks, even if his talent warrants the selection.

RHP Harry Sharp
School: Red River State
If you thought taking a statless hitter was a huge risk, let me tell you about Harry Sharp. The 21-year-old righty not only has no stats, but my scout and OSA both think he could just be a bullpen arm, but Tom's report is "Very Low" and he ranks him with Vic Carrol, Marcus Magnum, and Ambry O'Brien as pitchers worth taking in round one. A hard worker from St. Louis, he also forced his way on to his college's roster, using a high 80s fastball to get there. He keeps the ball on the ground, and his curveball is an outstanding out pitch. OSA says his change is "rudimentary" and likely what is stopping him from starting in the big leagues. He's from St. Louis, so perhaps the Pioneers take the risk on him in the regional round, but if he goes undrafted, he'll be someone to follow for the 4th Round. I'd love for him to improve his change, but Otis Cook has shown you don't need three good pitches to succeed in the FABL.

C Al Stout Jr.
School: Edgewood
Son of longtime Wolve shortstop Al Stout, the younger Stout will be eligible for the upcoming draft. His father spent 1907-1915 with Toronto before three seasons in Foresters before he hung up the cleats. In 1,367 FABL games he was worth 66.6 wins above replacement with a .267/.355/.310 (97 OPS+) batting line. Junior was born in 1920 in Euclid, Ohio and he's stayed in Ohio most of his life. He projects to have a decent eye, but the bat might not develop into what scouts are looking for. The big league pedigree will be beneficial, but I can see Stout falling. A season of stats will give a better reference point for his talent, but a catcher with any sort of bat can be very valuable.

RF Jack Kowalski
School: Roosevelt
His friends call him the "Polish Rifle" and I'm pretty sure it's because of his cannon of an arm. Regardless, Kowalski is the first Polish player in the league, born in Warsaw before moving to DC this year to play high school baseball at Roosevelt. Kowalski has an exudes and air of confidence and he's one of those players that tends to play with his pedal to the metal. He projects to be a decent corner defender, but range and speed are not his strengths. He should hit for a high average, but sometimes he can be over aggressive at the plate. This kid has a ton of potential, but he has a long way to go before reaching it.

3B Davey Robicheaux
School: Bay State
A draft eligible sophomore, Crawfish Robicheaux could make the decision to stay for his junior season to boost his draft stock. He's eligible out of Bay State in Alabama this year, but the Louisiana native will likely not return for a second season. The youngster has a great hit tool and has great recognition of the strike zone. His power is above average at the moment, and I can see it turning into a real plus tool. OSA loves his potential, Tom is a little less sure of it, but both think he should be a reliable every day player. A mix of strong plate discipline, above average contact, and potential top line power, he's got almost everything you look for in a third basemen. He'll be 22 in April, but I can see him being a slow riser instead of a plug and play starter.

C Augie Hays Jr.
School: Gloucester
Another catcher with a father who played professionally, "Augie Doggie" is a switch hitting catcher who looks like one of the best defensive catchers available this year. He's got a cannon behind his plate, and his teammates do enjoy throwing to him. He was only on the Gloucester team because of his father, but after their everyday catcher transferred out, they decided to give their senior bullpen catcher a shot. He has a lot of issues with his swing, but he is able to put the bat on the ball occasionally. His plate discipline is his best asset at the plate, but his true value comes with his glove. His dad was known as the "Dirt Dog", but he topped out in AA. I think glove alone will allow junior to surpass his father, but his usefulness will be determined by how much he can improve his bat.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that both of the players I wanted in the independent draft were taken before my pick, so in the end it really didn't matter which one I picked. One was Sig Stofer, who went first to the Keystones. The other was Ed Greenwood who was next to the Saints. Both look like really good future players, and I can see Stofer manning first sooner then later. He's no Rankin Kellogg, but the Boardwalk Bopper could be another mainstay at first. Greenwood is much more raw, and the Saints have an interesting youngster in Dilly Ward manning center at the moment, but Greenwood could eventually snatch the job up. With the draft starting, we pick seventh in both the first and second round. Technically we are third for the regional round, but basically I can take any player (there is one I have my eye on that I really hope falls) from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, or Wisconsin as we had a worse record then the Chiefs. We could also get someone from Missouri (Pioneers) and Kentucky (Foresters and Pioneers), but we would have a little competition.