[ayaghmour2]

5th Round, 77th Overall: RHP Jack Huston
School: Bay State
1941: 8-5, 118.1 IP, 3.80 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 54 BB, 111 K
Career: 25-15, 355.1 IP, 3.65 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 131 BB, 284 K

The last round where we have only one pick, I continued to grab college players after I started with just prep pitchers. Potentially our only college pitcher I'll take in the first 10 rounds, Huston was a reliable arm, but most of his numbers have trended upwards. It's not all bad, more innings, higher WAR, strikeouts, and K/9, but his ERA, WHIP, and BB/9 all jumped as well. He lost five games each season, won eight the past two, and finished 10 games above .500 at 25-15. His command isn't that great, but I think Huston could end up a spot starter despite it. His stuff isn't great, but he does have a nice curve and slider. His fastball is a bit slow, just 86-88, but he has a deceptive sidearm windup. OSA Is a bigger fan then Tom and I, thinking he could end up as a back of the rotation arm. Unlike most college starters, he seems to be a bit raw, but I still think I'll push him to start in San Jose. I grabbed a lot of high school arms later on, and I expect them all to start in La Crosse.

6th Round, 91st Overall: RHP Bill Ballantine
School: Bay State
Commit School: Laclede
1941: 4-1, SV, 65.1 IP, 1.24 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 15 BB, 86 K
Career: 20-3, SV, 271.2 IP, 1.46 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 68 BB, 345 K

Was he the best player available at the time? Did he have the most upside available? Does he throw triple digits? Did he start more then 50% of his games as a senior? No to all of those? Well, then what's so special about him? HE HAS THE BEST NICKNAME FOR A CLOSER IN CHICAGO!!! THE WINDY CITY WHIPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, the whole ride home after I drafted him, I kept commenting on how awesome his nickname is and how perfect it would be if he became a closer!

Enough about my dreams of the Windy City Whip mowing down hitters in the 9th at North Side Park, let's talk about Bill Ballantine himself. The Chicagoan spent four seasons at Fenger, but was only a full time starter as a freshman. He had a great first season, a perfect 8-0 with a 1.01 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 16 walks, and 123 strikeouts. Yes, that was a dominate season, but he never came anywhere close to that again. He started 13 games that season, but he didn't start double digit games since and only started half his game as a senior. Still, he finished with a nice 11.4 K/9 and a sub 1.00 WHIP. There is a lot to like about him, he has great stuff and a decent four pitch mix led with a low 90s fastball that should end up his best pitch. His ultimate upside isn't that great, but the Windy City Whip needs just one pitch; a super fast fastball! OSA actually thinks Ballentine could pitch his way into the back of a rotation, but I'll be more then happy if Ballentine ends up as a reliable pen arm.

6th Round, 93rd Overall: SS Joe Dackett
School: Darnell State
1941: .282/.355/.368, 198 PA, 7 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 33 RBI, 27 SB
Career: .283/.358/.351, 462 PA, 15 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 75 RBI, 63 SB

A two year starter at Darnell State, Joe Dackett had experience at both middle infield spots, and he looks to be athletic enough for short. He's not the greatest hitter, but he did well against top level college pitching and consistently hits the ball up the middle. He does a good job drawing walks, but he does hit too many groundballs. The mock thinks he should have been a first rounder, I think I may have taken him a little too early in the 6th, but he does have some upside as a useful 5th infielder. I'm sure he can manage third if needed, and he does give good at bats at the plate. He could be a fast mover up the system, and with the threat of war looming in the FABL, he could end up a decent replacement player if we get hit hard by the not-so-fun draft.

6th Round, 96th Overall: C Lee Tiede
School: Gates University
1941: .280/..337/.409, 280 PA, 10 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 5 SB
Career (HS): .411/.476/.675, 461 PA, 48 2B, 7 3B, 14 HR, 111 RBI, 16 SB
Career (COL): .286/.342/.423, 774 PA, 29 2B, 2 3B, 21 HR, 138 RBI, 12 SB

A 16th Round Pick back in 1938 by the Dynamos, he decided to instead attend Gates University, and developed into a nice power hitting backstop. At Gates, he never hit below his junior year .280/.337/.409 and managed at least 6 homers, 9 doubles, and 40 RBIs. I love his power, and despite rather poor plate discipline, he should still end up hitting more then his share of homers if he ever makes the big leagues. His defense is adequate behind the plate, but he did get some time at first, where his power does work well. This will help him get extra at bats even if he isn't the #1 catching option when he starts, as we have a lot of catchers in the low minors around his age. I think he could be a decent backup catcher, OSA thinks injuries could force his way into the lineup, and the mock thinks he should have been taken before Otto Christian. I'm leaning towards starting him up in San Jose, but no matter where he starts, I expect it to be a part time role at the beginning.

I'm a little behind on these reports, as I was out of the house most of yesterday, so the draft is almost complete. I expect to get separate reports on the 7th and 8th as well as the 9th and 10th out some time today, but we still have a few sims before our draftees will join the system. Our system keeps moving between 4th and 5th, but I'm thinking this class will not only keep us in the top 5, but move us up a bit higher.