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ayaghmour2 · 03-14-2025, 06:35 PM

9th Round, 171st Overall: SS Horace Stewart
School: Whitwell Tigers
1963: .431/.479/.701, 188 PA, 18 2B, 6 3B, 5 HR, 43 RBI, 32 SB
Career: .447/.502/.697, 757 PA, 79 2B, 22 3B, 15 HR, 176 RBI, 113 SB

Our second shortstop of the draft, Horace Stewart was a four-year letterman at Whitwell, as the switch hitter was a mainstay for his varsity team. The Nashville native collected exactly 300 hits in 153 games, hitting an impressive .447/.502/.697 with 79 doubles, 22 triples, and 15 home runs. A skilled defender, Stewart has the range to stick at short, but to build his versatility I expect him to get reps at second and third when necessary. As we add more infield depth, more guys will get to play different positions, and if he's at the same level as Art Strait, time at short will be limited. He's the better defender, but Strait is a better hitter both now and in the future, and the more he plays there the better he's going to get. Stewart needs to improve the bat first, but he has the swing to hit his way into a lineup. Able to barrel the ball with a quick, compact swing, he hits the ball hard to all fields, and with balls in play his speed is a weapon. And at 6'3'' he has the chance to build muscled and add power to his game. Another hard worker, we need to get him in the weight room ASAP, and he'll have all the time he needs to get into a groove before the on-field results really matter. At worst a utility player, at best a potential regular, he could end up one of our better infield prospects.

10th Round, 191st Overall: RHP Johnny Maples
School: Adirondack State Mountaineers
1963: 8-4, 112.1 IP, 3.69 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 57 BB, 97 K
Career: 24-11, 331 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 110 BB, 288 K

As cool as the name Johnny Maples is, this was not a name pick in the 10th Round, as he's a really good pitcher that only fell because this class had so many good pitchers. The almost 20-year-old broke out as a freshman at Adirondack State, going 10-4 in 19 starts with a 2.50 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts. It ended up an outlier season, but the 6-2 right was still excellent as a sophomore and junior. He did take a step back this season, seeing his walk rate nearly double. His 11.2 BB% is just short of his 1961 (5.0) and 1962 (6.8) rates added together (11.8), so this might be what his career hinges on. The stuff is good, but not overcome a ton of walks good, but each project to be plus pitches. His sinker is already a weapon, even in the mid 80s, as he has no issues throwing his go-to pitch. With a good defense behind him, he can produce better results then deserved, and he's pretty well developed. At least a useful innings eater, there is room in San Jose for a starter right away, and I have faith in his ability to skip a level.

03-14-2025, 06:35 PM	#1620
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	1963 Draft: Rounds 9 and 10 9th Round, 171st Overall: SS Horace Stewart School: Whitwell Tigers 1963: .431/.479/.701, 188 PA, 18 2B, 6 3B, 5 HR, 43 RBI, 32 SB Career: .447/.502/.697, 757 PA, 79 2B, 22 3B, 15 HR, 176 RBI, 113 SB Our second shortstop of the draft, Horace Stewart was a four-year letterman at Whitwell, as the switch hitter was a mainstay for his varsity team. The Nashville native collected exactly 300 hits in 153 games, hitting an impressive .447/.502/.697 with 79 doubles, 22 triples, and 15 home runs. A skilled defender, Stewart has the range to stick at short, but to build his versatility I expect him to get reps at second and third when necessary. As we add more infield depth, more guys will get to play different positions, and if he's at the same level as Art Strait, time at short will be limited. He's the better defender, but Strait is a better hitter both now and in the future, and the more he plays there the better he's going to get. Stewart needs to improve the bat first, but he has the swing to hit his way into a lineup. Able to barrel the ball with a quick, compact swing, he hits the ball hard to all fields, and with balls in play his speed is a weapon. And at 6'3'' he has the chance to build muscled and add power to his game. Another hard worker, we need to get him in the weight room ASAP, and he'll have all the time he needs to get into a groove before the on-field results really matter. At worst a utility player, at best a potential regular, he could end up one of our better infield prospects. 10th Round, 191st Overall: RHP Johnny Maples School: Adirondack State Mountaineers 1963: 8-4, 112.1 IP, 3.69 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 57 BB, 97 K Career: 24-11, 331 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 110 BB, 288 K As cool as the name Johnny Maples is, this was not a name pick in the 10th Round, as he's a really good pitcher that only fell because this class had so many good pitchers. The almost 20-year-old broke out as a freshman at Adirondack State, going 10-4 in 19 starts with a 2.50 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts. It ended up an outlier season, but the 6-2 right was still excellent as a sophomore and junior. He did take a step back this season, seeing his walk rate nearly double. His 11.2 BB% is just short of his 1961 (5.0) and 1962 (6.8) rates added together (11.8), so this might be what his career hinges on. The stuff is good, but not overcome a ton of walks good, but each project to be plus pitches. His sinker is already a weapon, even in the mid 80s, as he has no issues throwing his go-to pitch. With a good defense behind him, he can produce better results then deserved, and he's pretty well developed. At least a useful innings eater, there is room in San Jose for a starter right away, and I have faith in his ability to skip a level.