[ayaghmour2]

3rd Round, 45th Overall: CF Fred Crawford
School: Hardwick Friars
Commit School: Davidson University
1949: .536/.556/.800, 136 PA, 16 2B, 7 3B, HR, 36 RBI, 35 SB
Career: .540/.561/.805, 389 PA, 51 2B, 17 3B, 3 HR, 106 RBI, 102 SB

Unlike Biff Tiner, Fred Crawford made it three straight .500 seasons, and for Crawford three seasons is his entire high school career. A hardworking outfielder from Massachusetts, he's not the most talented guy out there. But he is one of the quickest players and he always gives over 100%. He'll never hit for much power, but he's at his best when he's keeping the ball on the ground. He'll hit them hard, so if a player is out of position or caught between hops, Crawford can find himself on base. He has a quick stroke and attacks the ball and he's not the type of hitter to wait back in the count. He won't walk or strike out much, which is good because his skillset is best utilized by making things happen. Worst case scenario he's an awesome pinch runner, but I expect him to be so much more then that. Dixie Marsh is a huge fan, recently labeling him a "reliable hitter in the organization's grand scheme," and I tend to believe him. He has all the makings of a leadoff hitter. The best comparison for his bat may be Minutemen shortstop Harry Barrell, but the elite shortstop doesn't have anywhere near the foot speed Frank has, although he'll never be anywhere near the defender Harry is. We'll be luck if he can stay in center, but interesting enough he's played a little second and third as well as the corner outfield spots. It'll be interesting to see where he ends up, but he'll be most valuable patrolling center. His defense needs some work, but I trust him to spend the requisite time to improve his game.

4th Round, 61st Overall: LHP Buster Clark
School: Santa Cruz Pirates
Commit School: St. Dominic's
1949: 5-0, 69.1 IP, 0.78 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 9 BB, 104 K
Career: 9-0, SV, 127.1 IP, 0.92 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 20 BB, 198 K

As the year went on, Buster Clark was one of the guys who rose up Dixie Marsh's list, and OSA liked enough of him to include the California native on their initial mock draft. It seem well deserved, as the southpaw walked just nine guys in just shy of seventy (69.1) innings. He was the only draft eligible pitcher to walk single digit batters, allowing one free pass fewer then our second rounder Wilson McKinney despite nearly twenty more innings. His 3.2 BB% was unsurprisingly best among available pitchers as well and his 11.6 K/BB was second to only Frank Young (11.9). He was throwing a tick harder this year, and it really made a difference, His ERA dropped almost 30 points and his WHIP down almost a full point. These are all encouraging signs, and I'm excited to see how his five pitches play against professional hitters. Four of his five pitches are pretty great already, with the slider especially lethal against fellow lefties. His sinker generates a ton of grounders and he locate his curve and splitter well. It's early, but he has all the tool to pitch in the big leagues, and there's a chance he could be this year's Dixie Gaines. I really think we got a good one here.