Downie, Dec. 6 – The Kingston Pelicans enter uncharted waters at this year’s Amateur Draft, as this will be the first time that they will be making the first overall pick. After avoiding the basement for their first 17 seasons, the Pelicans finally hit rock bottom last season with a 60-94 record to earn the first pick. Pelicans GM Kane Overell has been at the helm of the team since the 1943-44 season. Over the past 12 seasons, Kingston has made the playoffs 5 times, winning three Western League Pennants and one United Cup. That Cup came in Overell’s first year as general manager. But in recent years, the Pelicans have steadily fallen in the standings until they finally fell into the basement last season.
But it’s not as though Overell has been striking out on his draft selections over the past several years. The Pelicans can claim quality picks currently on the roster with the likes of C Carlos Camasura (2nd round pick in 1944-45; 74/74), RF Mo Spenceley (13th overall pick in 1945-46; 53/53), SS Charlie Cockin (16th overall pick in 1946-47; 61/61), SP Kieran Bunce (16th overall pick in 1947-48; 57/57) and CF Chris Ramsbottom (8th overall pick in 1951-52; 62/63) to name a few. But as their recent fortunes bear out, more work is needed to turn things around.
“We have some quality players in the lineup”, agreed Overell,
“but he have some gaping holes as well if I’m perfectly honest. We have a chance now to try and plug them. High picks mean that you are not doing well in the standings of course, but when they come, you need to make your blows count. Hopefully this can be start of where we turn things around.”
Following the Pelicans on the draft board are the Wolseley Unions, who in recent years have been more accustomed to selecting in the bottom half of the 10 rounds that make up the Braeland Amateur Draft. This year, they will pick 2nd overall for the first time in franchise history. The highest selection made before this year was 3rd overall, back in 1940-41 when they picked IF Jorge Arredondo. The 34-year old Cuban-native was traded to the Brunswick Legends back in December 1946 where he went on to earn three all-star appearances and three Ball Hawk Awards. Tzu-yu Jin, who was hired as Wolseley’s new general manager this past off-season, will be looking to turn around the Unions’ fortunes as well, which fell on hard times last year when they barely finished just ahead of the Pelicans in the standings.
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Here is a brief overview of the 16 players taken in the first round:
1st Pick – Kingston Pelicans:
OF
Dan Hesketh (27/70) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.
Status: CO Junior
For their first overall pick, GM Kane Overell reached out to Australia for the immensely talented Dan Hesketh. The Brisbane-native has top-of-the scale speed with terrific baserunning and bunting skills. He grades out as a plus contact hitter with outstanding defensive abilities at either center or rightfield. He projects to be an impact player for a top-tier team.
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2nd Pick – Wolseley Unions:
IF/OF
Jonathan Higgins (25/58) – 21-years old; 6’-0”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
Status: CO Junior; University of Nebraska
Tzu-yu Jin taps the American mid-west for his first pick as Wolseley’s GM. Higgins, who hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is an immensely versatile fielder who can play anywhere in the outfield with ease. He too, has top-flight speed and will steal his share of bases. As his pitch recognition improves, he should make consistent contact. Scouts feel that he has a very promising future in the United Leagues.
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3rd Pick – Hespeler Stars:
IF/OF
Alistair Benney (20/73) – 18-years old; 5’-8”, 155 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
Status: HS Senior
The first Braelander picked in the draft is Golspie, Oxford native, Alistair Benney. Benney’s greatest strength is his bat: he has plus-plus contact ability and a very smooth swing that will allow him to hit for average. He should also grow into an above average power hitter as well. Defensively, he has good range and profiles as an everyday second baseman.
Fun fact: at last season’s amateur draft, the Stars selected C Aidan Bennie second overall. That means that one day there may be an A. Bennie and an A. Benney on the same roster.
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4th Pick – Wellington Athletics:
IF/OF
Jorge López (20/69) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH.
Status: HS Senior
The Athletics select fourth overall for the second consecutive season. This year, they go with the young López from Aruba. López projects to be a force at the plate, with above average contact and power. With excellent range, he should develop into an above average outfielder as well.
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5th Pick – Cobourg Redlegs:
1B
Vic Weld (20/58) – 18-years old; 6’-0”, 200 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
Status: HS Senior
The Redlegs go with Vic Weld of Hespeler. Weld’s greatest strength is his bat as well. He shows plus contact ability that should translate into a solid batting average. He has a fluid swing and shows above average power potential. Defensively, he looks to be a development project for a starting role at first base.
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6th Pick – Downie Chiefs:
OF
Gary Scofield (20/71) – 18-years old; 5’-8”, 150 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.
Status: HS Senior
The Chiefs take the young Scofield of Cobourg as their first pick. Scofield show tremendous potential at the plate, with raw power, patience and a quick bat that should handle most fastballs and draw plenty of walks. Defensively, he has very good range and throwing arm that should suit him well as an outfielder.
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7th Pick – Sherburn Tigers:
OF
Carlos Cuevas (24/56) – 21-years old; 6’-2”, 200 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.
Status: CO Junior; Puerto Rico-Utuado
The Tigers take Cuevas of Puerto Rico as their first pick. Cuevas has a sweet, fluid swing that will allow him to drive the ball with consistency and become an above average power hitter. Defensively, he should also become an above average outfielder, especially on the corners. Although not fast, he is a smart baserunner and will steal a few. Scouts consider him a future second division starter at rightfield.
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8th Pick – Queensland Eagles:
OF
Nobuyori Sugahara (20/67) – 18-years old; 6’-0”, 175 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
Queensland takes Sugahara from Japan, who projects to be among the best in the baseball at working the count and drawing walks, with above average contact potential. He has the speed and baserunning skills to one day steal around 20 bases a season. With good range in the outfield, scouts believe that he as a very promising future in the majors.
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9th Pick – Brunswick Legends:
3B
Al Annear (20/59) – 19-years old; 5’-10”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
The second Australian taken in the first round, the young Annear also boasts an impressive bat, with a balanced, rhythmic swing. The Perth-native should become a talented contact hitter with the potential to slam 20 homers a season. While he may not become a star, he should still become a solid contributor one day.
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10th Pick – Fort Richmond Generals:
C
Shane Acton (20/54) – 18-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH.
The Generals select Acton from Tansley, Dunwich. Acton’s greatest strength his is power abilities. When fully developed, he should have enough power to hit his share of balls out of the park. However, he grades out as a slightly below average contact hitter.
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11th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:
IF/OF
Andrew MacDerment (34/61) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.
The fifth Braelander selected, the Monarchs take Andrew MacDerment, an enticing all-around player. MacDerment is blessed with above average contact skills, a smooth swing with quick hands and good pitch recognition. He projects to be an above average power hitter as well. With solid speed on the basepaths and excellent range and arm in the outfield, the Rutherglen, Perth native is projected to make a solid impact on the field and at the plate.
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12th Pick – Embro Suns:
2B
James Reed (20/56) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 175 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
Embro takes a young infielder from Fort Richmond. Scouts like his offensive capabilities. Reed has a feel for the strike zone and knows when to lay off a bad pitch. Besides a fluid swing he shows above average power potential. Defensively, however, is considered merely average.
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13th Pick – Balmoral Giants:
IF/OF
Maurice Gayford (20/67) – 19-years old; 6’-0”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
Balmoral picks Maurice Gayford from Wolseley, whose speed and baserunning skills should regularly put pressure on defenses. Gayford has above average contact potential and with further development, good power and plate discipline. Defensively, he has excellent range and arm strength for any position in the infield. Scouts really like his ceiling and feel he can one day be a first division starter.
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14th Pick – Cambria Cannons:
OF
Kuauli Walenekino (29/53) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH.
Cambria goes with the speedy Walenekino from Fiji. Walenekino is blessed with blazing speed and great timing, which should give him the green light to steal every time he reaches base. He should one day be among the leaders in stolen bases each year. He is also an elite defensive center fielder. A smooth right-handed swing should help him hit around 25 home runs a season one day. The consensus is that he will soon flourish in the majors.
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15th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:
3B
Callum Gunton (31/52) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 195 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
The Trolleys select Cobourg-native Callum Gunton with their first pick. Gunton possess a lot of talent and grades out as a plus contact hitter although he may difficulty in strike zone judgement. Although he may win many defensive awards, he should be a proficient third baseman in the majors.
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16th Pick – Stratford Barons:
IF
Manalagenna Ulani (20/44) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.
To close out the first round, the Barons selected Manalagenna Ulani, the second Fujian to be taken in the initial round. Ulani’s greatest asset is his defensive play. With a great arm and range, he should be a well above average defender. However, while he should have an average eye at the plate, he is considered a slightly below average contact hitter. Unless he improves, he may prove to be more useful as a role player than starter.