[ayaghmour2]

4th Round, 52nd Overall: SS Elmer Grace
School: St. Dominick's Padres
1947: .309/.392/.441, 218 PA, 10 2B, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 15 SB
Career: .309/.392/.441, 218 PA, 10 2B, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 15 SB

After three prep picks to start our draft, I used both of our 4th to select college players. The first was an old reliable type pick, grabbing a hardworking shortstop who can always fall back on a utility role. Add in the fact that he's a switch hitter and faired well in his first season against "Good" competition, and you have a solid supplemental piece pretty much right out of the box. That's not to say Grace's only value comes in a reserve role, as the infielder gives good at bats from both sides of the plate. There's no splits in the game generated amateur stats, so I don't know if he has a better side yet, so until otherwise proven we're going to assume he's pretty consistent both ways. Grace does a good job barreling the ball frequently, as his compact swing allows him to spray the ball when he makes contact. He's not going to be a home run threat, but Grace works the count well and will learn to punish mistakes. He's got decent speed which should allow him to take the extra base, allowing him to replace home run production with extra walks and doubles. On the dirt he handles short well, but I don't think he'll ever be anything more then a plus defender. There's plenty of open lineup spots in San Jose and Lincoln, so he may get to spend his first season at short. I'm hoping he does well in year two for the Padres, and if he comes near to his .833 OPS with more walks (25) then strikeouts (18), he could work his way up our system quickly.

4th Round, 55th Overall: LHP Dixie Gaines
School: Capital University Catamounts
1947: 11-3, 134.1 IP, 2.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 31 BB, 129 K
Career: 11-3, 134.1 IP, 2.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 31 BB, 129 K

The lack of pitching available in this pool was well documented, so even though I would have rather waited until the 5th Round, the choices were running out quickly. Based on reaction to the selection, I didn't reach too far, as Starkville native Dixie Grimes was highly sought after by other GMs. It's not hard to see why, as the 20-year-old southpaw burst onto the scene last season at Capital University. Gaines started 20 games and finished an impressive 11-3 with a 2.21 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He struck out 129 and walked just 31 in 134.1 innings pitched, which was third most last season for draft eligible players. He led all eligible collegiate hurler in ERA by keeping runners off bases. He had an excellent 4.2 K/BB rate and allowed just 3 home runs. His success doesn't come from dominating batters, instead keeping them on their toes as he commands five different pitches. His sinker is his go to pitch, and it allows him to keep the ball in the park and erase runners that reach base. For strikeouts he goes to his change up, which has tremendous downward movement. While all that is well and good, Gaines tops out at just 86 and his secondary offerings are more effective due to the unpredictability then their quality. Those are two hurdles our minor league staff will have to work out, as the young southpaw feels more like a high school arm then a college one. There's plenty of risk, but I think we have a chance to mold him into a effective big league pitcher. Not only is he intelligent, but hardworking, and I think him and Garland Phelps would be a very interesting battery. I'm rooting for the young lefty, even if his name buddy Marsh doesn't think he'd fit well in the majors.