[ayaghmour2]

The draft kicked off this morning, and surprisingly my #3 is still available as I await pick ten. I'm hoping he falls, but the waiting all day park is so tough. I miss the days of trading up, to snatch any of my top targets, instead of having to (im)patiently wait my turn. I'm hoping the pick comes up tonight, but I'll get it posted once it's official. Even if I have to pre-write a few potentials just to be safe. Regardless of if my guy falls or not, I'll be happy with who we get, as this is a pretty deep crop of future FABL everyday guys.

Edit: He was taken minutes after the post. Two picks before me...

SS Elmer Grace (#74 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 52nd Overall (1948)
AAA: .264/.371/.395 (100 OPS+), 471 PA, 21 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 3 SB
CWL: .305/.393/.552 (135 OPS+), 122 PA, 3 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 22 RBI

Jimmy Hairston no longer leads the CWL in home runs. And soon he might not even lead his own team!

The Stallions caught fire this week, winning all four games to take a one game lead over the Havana Sharks. Elmer Grace was a big part of that, as his two run homer in the first proved to be the difference in a 5-3 game. Grace walked and singled as well, finishing the week 5-for-14 with 3 walks and 4 runs. The switch hitter has managed to walk (16) twice as often as he strikes out (7), with a miniscule 5.7 K% and 144 WRC+. Grace has hit .305/.393/.552 (135 OPS+) in his 27 games, showing that he's possibly ready for a trip to the big leagues. Unfortunately for him, regular playing time is accounted for, as only Skipper Schneider plays short for the Cougars. This leaves second and third for George Sutterfield, Otto Christian, Billy Hunter, and Charlie Woodbury, with Grace then competing with the next tier down in Johnny Carlisle, Clark Car, Rupert Heinbaugh, and winter teammate Al Clement. His hard work is still paying dividends, as he's earned a consistent place in the top-100 while putting up impressive offensive and defensive numbers at short. The only real opportunity for him getting playing time would be a long-term injury to Skipper, but even then I'd probably go to George Sutterfield first. Grace is more then ready to debut, but he's not Rule-5 eligible yet and he needs to be playing every day. He's still young, not 23 until June, so a repeat season in Milwaukee isn't the worst thing. It'll allow him to improve his versatility, so if any of our non-Skipper infielders start struggling, he can push someone off second to vacate the open spot.

All he's got to do is hit!