[ayaghmour2]

5th Round, 70th Overall: LHP Ray Paulson
School: Forest Park Foresters
1946: 8-1, 91 IP, 1.09 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 16 BB, 110 K
Career: 16-1, 172.1 IP, 1.20 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 37 BB, 234 K

The 5th Round was almost a carbon copy of the 4th. We had two picks in both, and each time I selected a high school lefty pitcher and a 6'2'' high school shortstop. The high school lefty is Ray "Half-Pint" Paulson, who as you might expect, is not very tall. Just 5'8'' and only 145 pounds, Paulson isn't your typical pitcher, but he pitches like he's the scariest guy on the field. The kid has "it" if you can call it that, and gives off Duke Bybee type vibes. Paulson could quickly become a captain and he has high leadership, work ethic, and intelligence, and seems to come up best when the game is on the line. He's lost just one game in his high school career, working to a 1.20 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He made significant strides in year two, as despite picking up his first loss, he set personal bests for innings (91), WHIP (0.87), ERA (1.09), BB/9 (1.6), and K/BB (6.9). A three pitch pitcher, Paulson doesn't throw too hard, but he seems to have mastered the art of pitching. He places his pitches well and allowed just a single homer in each of his two first seasons. His stuff is never going to break, so keeping the ball in the park will be crucial to him. A good defense can make up for a lot of his shortcomings. It will be tough for him to carve out a starting spot, but his makeup is perfect for the late innings. We're getting closer and closer to relievers becoming somewhat valuable, giving him a solid fallback option if his stuff doesn't get much better.

5th Round, 77th Overall: SS Buddy Jenkins
School: Whitman Panthers
1946: .434/.515/.663, 102 PA, 8 2B, 4 3B, HR, 21 RBI, 29 SB
Career: .438/.517/.704, 204 PA, 22 2B, 7 3B, 3 HR, 43 RBI, 48 SB

There were a lot of guys I was looking at for this pick, but I think the name Buddy Jenkins is what finally made me go with another young shortstop. The next pick will definitely be a college guy, but Jenkins marks the seventh high school prospect we have selected so far. It might have been a reach in the 5th, but he has the perfect mold of a utility infielder with some upside to become a starter. His stats weren't great his first two seasons, but Dixie Marsh seems to like him a whole lot better then Tom Weinstock did. Whether this is due to differences in opinions or a significant stride in the offseason (Tom last scouted him in June), Jenkins is line for an important senior season. Marsh likes his speed, discipline, and glove, projecting him to be "an above average, everyday player." I think this might be a bit generous, but OSA feels the same way. What makes me feel that ways is a drop from 19 extra base hits to just 12 without any improvement in his contact or on-base abilities. What works in his favor is his size, as he's 6'2'' and has time to put on muscle. Any sort of power with his glove is crucial, as Jenkins has excelled at second, third, short, center, and right. His speed would allow him to effortlessly move to the outfield, and if short doesn't work center may be the next try instead of second or third. I do think he has the range to stick at short, but it's hard to tell until he starts playing minor league games. Even if he doesn't develop into an above average starter, his versatility almost guarantees himself a chance in the big leagues. I expect him to fill a Jim Mako role in La Crosse after he signs, giving him playing time all over the field. You can never have too many good shortstop prospects, and even though we only have one (Bob Stout, 190th) in the top 200, there are five more rank in the next 150. I think Jenkins will join that group if he's willing to sign, something that may be an issue with so many prep picks.

6th Round, 93rd Overall: CF Ed Sutton
School: College of Cairo Pharaohs
1946: .277/.370/.432, 311 PA, 11 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 49 RBI, 32 SB
Career: .273/.368/.434, 585 PA, 22 2B, 11 3B, 12 HR, 87 RBI, 66 SB

Hey, look! A college kid! They do exist!

After seven picks from the prep ranks, we grabbed an outfielder nearby from the College of Cairo, a pretty solid baseball program from Cairo, Illinois. Sutton himself is not form Illinois, he was born in Higginsville, Missouri, but the soon-to-be 21-year-old is ready for his third season for the Pharaohs. A very talented outfielder, both OSA and Dixie Marsh are high on the righty, with OSA going as far to declare him a potential "first division starter." That may be wishful thinking, but there are plenty of exciting tools here. An extra base machine, Sutton hits the ball hard, although he doesn't always elevate it. He hits plenty of balls down the line, and recorded 23 extra base hits as a sophomore after 22 as a freshman. Along with the extra base pop, he has a great feel of the strike zone, laying off tough pitches and fighting off close ones when he's down in the count. He doesn't have the hit tool of someone like Jerry Smith or Garland Phelps, but he could hit around .270 or .280 in the big leagues. He also has blazing footspeed, swiping 66 bases in 84 attempts, and he has well above average defensive skills out in center. He's spent some time in the corners as well, but I'm pretty convinced that center will be his final spot. As a college kid, he seems likely to skip La Crosse and is expected to rise quickly up our system.