[ayaghmour2]

First five AI guys from the draft today. These are probably the most valuable, haven't really looked at the remaining picks, which will come later tonight. I expect some won't have very long writeups, but I didn't want this post to get too top heavy.

11th Round, 173rd Overall: LF Ray Johnson
School: Burlington Blue Devils
Commit School: Cumberland University
1949: .422/.495/.644, 104 PA, 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 10 SB
Career: .438/.511/.657, 473 PA, 37 2B, 6 3B, 13 HR, 114 RBI, 25 SB

There was a guy I really wanted with this pick. Turns out he was already taken! So instead we get four year starter at Burlington Ray Johnson. It's, underwhelming to say the least, as the left fielder hit just .438/.511/.657 in 92 games. He did hit three or more homers each season, but he doesn't play much defense and he's not very fast. He is athletic, so there's that, and Johnson gives off some Zeke Johnson vibes. Right now Dixie views him as a bench piece, but he does comment on his bat speed and barrel control. He's also demanding $3,400 to sign, and while we have the money, I'm not sure that's how I want to spend it. but considering most of the players likely have little to no talent, he'll probably stick around long enough to get an open roster spot.

12th Round, 189th Overall: RHP Pat Burnett
School: Chesapeake State Clippers
1949: 4-8, 121 IP, 4.76 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 73 BB, 103 K
Career (COL): 14-27, 384.2 IP, 4.73 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 199 BB, 289 K
Career (HS): 13-6, 186.2 IP, 2.31 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 68 BB, 212 K

The first college pitcher of the class, Pat Burnett is no stranger to being a Cougar draftee, as he was one of the twenty AI picks in 1946 (which includes on-again off-again top-100 prospect Harry Beardsley!), selected 316th after going 6-3 with a 2.42 ERA at his West Philadelphia high school. He didn't get too much written about, but what stands out is the height. He's 6'10''!!

Pitching still isn't his strong suit, but with that height all you can do is hope for the best. He's been sent a $90 check, and will stash him somewhere where he can learn to pitch. He needs a team to keep him accountable, and I'd be surprised if the recently turned 21-year-old stays in the 84-86 range his whole career. Right now he's just a guy with a good slider, and he needs to harness his command to find any success. The 18.5 K% was nice, but as that was a career best his 13.1 BB% was a career low. I'm keeping my expectations low, but you could argue that Browning is 2/5ths of a major league pitcher. He has a few paths, master his command, increase his velocity, etc, but if he doesn't make any improvements he'll top out as a A ball reliever. I don't expect him to make any starts this season, but I think he'll be a good guy to mop up innings that can spend his spare time honing his craft with the pitching coach.

13th Round, 205th Overall: CF Bill Hardaway
School: Northern Mississippi Mavericks
1949: .281/.343/.367, 246 PA, 8 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 38 SB
Career (COL): .282/.343/.373, 700 PA, 24 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 102 RBI, 116 SB
Career (HS): .443/.504/.641, 476 PA, 38 2B, 7 3B, 10 HR, 123 RBI, 41 SB

Another college draftee, Bill Hardaway was selected by the Saints in the last round of the 1946 draft at 392nd overall. He's made noticeable improvements, and has even been named by OSA as a "frontrunner for an audition as a center fielder." Dixie Marsh's isn't as fond, and I'd tend to side with him, but he does see his value in a platoon role. If he plays good defense he'll have value, and as a lefty he could get a majority of at bats. 21 in July, Hardaway will have to work hard to separate himself from the many talented outfielders in our system. Without power he'll need to cut it in center, and make the most out of his speed. It could be his ticket to an audition for a regular role. He won't be one of the first guys to sign, but even if I have to cut someone he'll fill at least a reserve role on one of our low minors teams.

14th Round, 221st Overall: RHP George Clark
School: Elmwood Trojans
Commit School: Oklahoma Bible College
1949: 10-1, 117.2 IP, 1.61 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 30 BB, 142 K
Career: 31-8, 418 IP, 1.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 114 BB, 422 K

Another Illinois native, George Clark was born in Peru, Illinois and went to school in another small town, Elmwood that's a few hours closer to the Chicagoland area. Clark spent all four years in the Trojans rotation, and he saved the best for last. Clark was an impressive 10-1 in 15 starts, sporting an impressive 1.61 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, which along with his 4.7 K/BB, were personal bests. You could say the same for most stats, and he's throwing a bit harder this year then he was his first three seasons. The lanky righty has a decent three pitch arsenal, and he's hitting 86 with his fastball. I'd love for him to sit in the 90s, as his fastball is clearly his worst pitch right now. I expect him to add velocity at some point, but otherwise he's best suited for the pen. He doesn't want too much, so I expect to bring him in, but he may not get many innings this season.

15th Round, 237th Overall: CF Pat Paterson
School: Superior Generals
Commit School: Provo Tech
1949: .451/.492/.646, 128 PA, 12 2B, 5 3B, 31 RBI, 32 SB
Career: .449/.494/.656, 481 PA, 48 2B, 18 3B, HR, 102 RBI, 91 SB

A four year starter at Superior, Pat Paterson hit between .440 and .455, and hit just one homer in 94 games. Consistency is nice, and when it comes with great speed and solid defense, that could make him a useful off the bench piece. Peterson projects to hit for a high average even if he'll never hit one out of the park, and those type of players profile well in other Continental Association parks. Paterson seems like the type who would benefit from a three year college stint, but I really like rangey center fielders who can put the ball in play. It may come down to a numbers game for Paterson, but he's intriguing enough to earn a second look.