[ayaghmour2]

We got back to simming today, and while I do plan on getting a weekly writeup after this one, I wanted to at least knock out some of the new draft prospects. There's at least one solid one in the AI rounds, but what's more important is where my guys ended up. Bill Grimm is now our top prospect, ranked 22nd after Dode graduated at 2, though our top two picks check in at two and three.

That would be Hub Russell (31st) and Johnny Kern (34th), who while not top-25 prospects are still in the top-50. We didn't hit with any other high picks, but there are plenty to fill out the top 500. 5th Rounder Ralph Tuomi (9th, 182nd) and 4th Rounder Clem Barney (10th, 198th) crack the top-200, with eight more in the top 500. The big surprise is 12th Rounder Tom McDaniel (11th, 212th), who is joined by 3rd Rounder Art Strait (12th, 217th), 7th Rounder Bob Adams (13th, 228th), 10th Rounder Johnny Maples (16th, 263rd), 6th Rounder George Jones (17th, 265th), 11th Rounder Phil Weeks (20th, 337th), 15th Rounder Tony Nino (19th, 318th), and 9th Rounder Horace Stewart (21st, 402nd). That's a pretty solid haul, with just 8th Rounder Alex Perry outside our top-250, and he's the guy who's a current starter with insane stuff. Pretty great draft so far!

13th Round, 252st Overall: 3B Charlie Arnold
School: Bluegrass State Mustangs
1963: .256/.289/.398, 266 PA, 10 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 6 SB
Career: .263/.297/.388, 607 PA, 20 2B, 2 3B, 16 HR, 113 RBI, 12 SB

The last guy on my list, we got Charlie Arnold in the 13th Round, a two year starter for Bluegrass State. 23 in September, he hit .263 with 16 homers and 113 RBIs, and while he may not start, I could move him up to San Jose to start his prep career. A versatile hard worker, he's played some catcher, first, third, left, center, and right, and I really like the arm at third. That, first, or left is his best position, and since he does find the gaps he could start at any of them. While not a star by any means, he could at least be a useful bench role, and at this part of the draft that has a lot of value. We have one more sim until La Crosse starts things up, so there's plenty of time to see where he best fits.

14th Round, 271st Overall: RHP Dick Porter
School: Taft Blue Devils
1963: 8-1, 99.1 IP, 1.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 21 BB, 116 K
Career: 8-1, 99.1 IP, 1.72 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 21 BB, 116 K

The AI wanted a pitcher next, going with high school right Dick Porter. A one year starter, Porter was 8-1 in 13 starts, coming just two outs shy of 100 innings. The senior had a strong 1.72 ERA and 1.92 FIP, and doesn't turn 18 until January. A three pitch pitcher, he doesn't throw very hard, so it's going to be tough for him to earn a starting spot. His cutter and fastball are okay, but neither can overpower, so his success is tied to his change up. It could be a wipeout pitch, but without much else going for him, I don't see future starter here.

15th Round, 291st Overall: 3B Tony Nino
School: Xavier Prep Yellow Jackets
1963: .441/.506/.657, 166 PA, 15 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 13 SB
Career: .441/.506/.657, 166 PA, 15 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 13 SB

A guy Dixie wanted to get a hold of, perhaps I should have saved Arnold for a later round, as Tony Nino ranks 19th in our system and 318th overall. Another one year starter, Nino is actually an Illinois native, he was born about 80 miles west of Chicago in Rochelle, though his high school ball came in Louisiana. A speedy infielder, he spent some time at short too, and I'm sure if needed second would be solid as well. While not great defensively, he doesn't do anything wrong, and is one of the hardest workers there is. That could improve the bat, as while he hits for average power and swings a quick bat, he doesn't project as more then a bench player. He swings too often, so unless he improves his approach he'll have a limited offensive ceiling. Lucky for him, there's plenty of lineup spots available, and he'll get into games for the Lions once the season starts.

16th Round, 311th Overall: RHP Don Smith
School: Penobscot State Pirates
1963: 4-7, 108.1 IP, 6.06 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, 95 BB, 99 K
Career: 8-15, 223.1 IP, 6.21, 1.97 WHIP, 197 BB, 198 K

Another right handed pitcher, this time it came from college, as we picked up Don Smith from Penobscot State. The results weren't great, but you can say that about almost any of the guys available here. What I don't like is the stuff, as he's just got four middling pitches. His slider might be alright, but even in the 93-95 range his fastball and cutter don't overwhelm. Likely to fill a pen role, it hasn't quite hit him that he's not FABL material, and I'm hoping some early struggles can knock some sense in to him.