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ayaghmour2 · 11-01-2023, 06:05 PM

8th Round, 125th Overall: CF Frank Falcao
School: Mishawaka Pilots
1948: .436/.505/.734, 111 PA, 13 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 23 SB
Career: .436/.505/.734, 111 PA, 13 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 23 SB

I've spoken plenty about our abundance of outfield draft, but after eight rounds, I could no longer pass on Chicagoan Frank Falcao. Nicknamed "Fireball", Falcao is a Chicago kid who went to high school in Indiana, and played varsity for the Mishawka Pilots for the first time as a junior. He didn't have the greatest season, hitting just .436 with 3 homers, 30 RBIs, and 23 steals, but don't let the pedestrian line fool you. There's a lot to like about this kid. If I needed a center fielder, he probably could have gone four rounds earlier, and I like his upside a lot more then the last three guys we selected. A switch hitting outfielder, Falcao is an excellent defender out in center, and the speed translates well on the bases. He's an extremely raw prospect, but with a little work he could develop into a legit five tool prospect. He hits the ball hard, puts the ball in play a lot, and has an excellent eye. Dixie thinks he can draw upwards of 70 walks a year as he has a great feel for the strike zone. The one thing lacking right now is power, but most teenagers aren't hitting the ball 400 feet from home. The difference between becoming a fourth outfielder and an All-Star for Fireball is the home run power. If he can start elevating the ball, he'll be an excellent hitter, but for now his value comes from drawing walks, stealing bases, and snagging liners on the grass.

9th Round, 141st Overall: RHP Luke Wright
School: LaSalle Cavaliers
1948: 8-1, 94.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 35 BB, 138 K
Career: 8-1, 94.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 35 BB, 138 K

It's back-to-back Chicagoans for us here, as we picked up LaSalle righty Luke Wright, who moved from the city to the burbs to pitch. Like Falcao, he only played as a junior, and while his 1.81 ERA was on the high side, he struck out 138 hitters in 94.2 innings with just 35 walks. We got a bit lucky here as well, as Dixie's brand new report is better then when we drafted him, noticing his fastball is up a mile to 88-90, and Marsh thinks he can "pitch his way into a back-end rotation opportunity." Like our other two pitchers selected, Wright has a deep five pitch arsenal and there's a chance all five could be big league quality offerings. The increased velocity is huge, as he features both a fastball and sinker, and his change and splitter will get even tougher as he continues to add speed to the hard stuff. Wright doesn't have a best pitch yet, so unless one emerges from the group, his success will come from mixing up his offerings more then overpowering hitters. His command isn't a plus tool, but it's good enough where he shouldn't have to worry too much about walks. Wright doesn't turn 18 until August, so he's even more underdeveloped then the average prep arm. That's not a worry for me, we can take our time working out his kinks, and with his work ethic and quest for learning I'd bet on his dedication and heart to pitch his way up to his hometown team.

10th Round, 157th Overall: RF Delos Williams
School: Lincoln Tigers
1948: .448/.505/.688, 107 PA, 10 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 9 SB
Career: .436/.493/.660, 344 PA, 32 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 89 RBI, 22 SB

Our tenth pick was the hardest to make, as there were a lot of players I wanted and even more worth the selection. In the end, I settled on Delos Williams, a 6'3'' lefty swinging outfielder from LA. Set to be a four year starter at Lincoln, Delos has appeared at all three outfield spots, but he's likely best suited for right. OSA is a huge fan of the 18-year-old, saying he can "be penciled in for a lion's share of starts at his position" and I'm positive he wouldn't have lasted this long if he played a more premium position. Dixie and I aren't as keen as the league's scouting organization, but this is a big strong kid who really put a charge into a ball. He's got the raw power that's desired in project type prospects, and if we can get him a quality workout regimen his average power potential could resemble the power that Sal Pestilli or Red Bond have made famous. Unlike Falcao, he's still got double digit pop as is, with the chance to hit 15 or so out in a season. He has all the tools to hit his way into a big league lineup, and he's got a nice personal makeup. When he talks, people listen, and while still young he's already looking like a locker room leader. Despite being our last picks, he's got a legit shot of ranking high on our prospect list and he could end up as one of the more productive players we'll get out of this class.

11-01-2023, 06:05 PM	#1253
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	1949 Draft: Rounds 8-10 8th Round, 125th Overall: CF Frank Falcao School: Mishawaka Pilots 1948: .436/.505/.734, 111 PA, 13 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 23 SB Career: .436/.505/.734, 111 PA, 13 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 23 SB I've spoken plenty about our abundance of outfield draft, but after eight rounds, I could no longer pass on Chicagoan Frank Falcao. Nicknamed "Fireball", Falcao is a Chicago kid who went to high school in Indiana, and played varsity for the Mishawka Pilots for the first time as a junior. He didn't have the greatest season, hitting just .436 with 3 homers, 30 RBIs, and 23 steals, but don't let the pedestrian line fool you. There's a lot to like about this kid. If I needed a center fielder, he probably could have gone four rounds earlier, and I like his upside a lot more then the last three guys we selected. A switch hitting outfielder, Falcao is an excellent defender out in center, and the speed translates well on the bases. He's an extremely raw prospect, but with a little work he could develop into a legit five tool prospect. He hits the ball hard, puts the ball in play a lot, and has an excellent eye. Dixie thinks he can draw upwards of 70 walks a year as he has a great feel for the strike zone. The one thing lacking right now is power, but most teenagers aren't hitting the ball 400 feet from home. The difference between becoming a fourth outfielder and an All-Star for Fireball is the home run power. If he can start elevating the ball, he'll be an excellent hitter, but for now his value comes from drawing walks, stealing bases, and snagging liners on the grass. 9th Round, 141st Overall: RHP Luke Wright School: LaSalle Cavaliers 1948: 8-1, 94.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 35 BB, 138 K Career: 8-1, 94.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 35 BB, 138 K It's back-to-back Chicagoans for us here, as we picked up LaSalle righty Luke Wright, who moved from the city to the burbs to pitch. Like Falcao, he only played as a junior, and while his 1.81 ERA was on the high side, he struck out 138 hitters in 94.2 innings with just 35 walks. We got a bit lucky here as well, as Dixie's brand new report is better then when we drafted him, noticing his fastball is up a mile to 88-90, and Marsh thinks he can "pitch his way into a back-end rotation opportunity." Like our other two pitchers selected, Wright has a deep five pitch arsenal and there's a chance all five could be big league quality offerings. The increased velocity is huge, as he features both a fastball and sinker, and his change and splitter will get even tougher as he continues to add speed to the hard stuff. Wright doesn't have a best pitch yet, so unless one emerges from the group, his success will come from mixing up his offerings more then overpowering hitters. His command isn't a plus tool, but it's good enough where he shouldn't have to worry too much about walks. Wright doesn't turn 18 until August, so he's even more underdeveloped then the average prep arm. That's not a worry for me, we can take our time working out his kinks, and with his work ethic and quest for learning I'd bet on his dedication and heart to pitch his way up to his hometown team. 10th Round, 157th Overall: RF Delos Williams School: Lincoln Tigers 1948: .448/.505/.688, 107 PA, 10 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 9 SB Career: .436/.493/.660, 344 PA, 32 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 89 RBI, 22 SB Our tenth pick was the hardest to make, as there were a lot of players I wanted and even more worth the selection. In the end, I settled on Delos Williams, a 6'3'' lefty swinging outfielder from LA. Set to be a four year starter at Lincoln, Delos has appeared at all three outfield spots, but he's likely best suited for right. OSA is a huge fan of the 18-year-old, saying he can "be penciled in for a lion's share of starts at his position" and I'm positive he wouldn't have lasted this long if he played a more premium position. Dixie and I aren't as keen as the league's scouting organization, but this is a big strong kid who really put a charge into a ball. He's got the raw power that's desired in project type prospects, and if we can get him a quality workout regimen his average power potential could resemble the power that Sal Pestilli or Red Bond have made famous. Unlike Falcao, he's still got double digit pop as is, with the chance to hit 15 or so out in a season. He has all the tools to hit his way into a big league lineup, and he's got a nice personal makeup. When he talks, people listen, and while still young he's already looking like a locker room leader. Despite being our last picks, he's got a legit shot of ranking high on our prospect list and he could end up as one of the more productive players we'll get out of this class.