As I mentioned earlier, I am trying something different in having the Rookie Draft in midseason; I usually have it in December.
With my Conspiradores travelling so poorly, it may prove a blessing in disguise.
150 new players coming in, with six rounds for clubs to take 120 of them via this means.
Some big names among them and here's how the dominoes fall in the first two circuits and our new recruits to try help turn things around:
Scouting is set to low here and I'm hopeful Sho Time's pitching ratings will climb to closer approximations of his IRL self. His hitting ratings look there already and we'll have to figure out the plan with him and Juanjo because we can only use one DH in our lineup. Stoopid rules. Whatever the case, this is meant to be fun and I had made my mind up to take him if nobody before us had, and here we are.
So dire has our pitching been that we use all six picks on arms. I was hopeful Mo Rivera was going to be still available for our R2 pick but Veracruz beat us to it.
Turned out nicely for us as we instead used that pick on Framber Valdez, whose clubhouse presence in this timeline will be very useful as ours is in disarray right now.
All of those that need to eventually sign on without complication.
There's no need to start Shohei's clock yet so he'll bide his time at AAA Havana. Framber, on the other hand, will come straight in and hopefully get everything back to one giant love-in.
Here's the official news wire:
The Class of 2001: Names to Know from the Gulf League Rookie Draft
By Ángel Serrano, El Béisbol Independiente
The Gulf League's 2001 Rookie Draft brought together a remarkable spread of talent, past and present, across borders and eras. From modern dual-threat phenoms to pioneers of the Negro Leagues, the six-round draft pool brimmed with storylines. As clubs set the foundation for future glory, a few names from this class already shine a little brighter — not just for their potential, but for the paths they’ve walked to get here.
1. Shohei Ohtani – R1, Pick 9 – Querétaro Conspiradores
Queretaro may have struck gold at No. 9. Shohei Ohtani, the 24-year-old Japanese superstar, arrives in the Gulf League already bearing a two-way legacy that’s reshaped baseball’s possibilities. A Most Valuable Player in both Japan and the United States, Ohtani’s fusion of velocity and slugging power is as breathtaking as it is rare. Now under the desert skies of Querétaro, the Conspiradores hope his next masterpiece unfolds in green and gold.
2. Dennis Martínez – R1, Pick 16 – Unión Laguna Algodoneros
Before Félix Hernández or Johan Santana, there was “El Presidente.” The Nicaraguan right-hander, drafted by Unión Laguna, was the first from his country to pitch in the majors and the first Latin American to throw a perfect game. Known for his guile and impeccable control, Martínez won 245 big-league games across three decades. If his presence rubs off on Laguna’s young staff, expect the Algodoneros to contend sooner than later.
3. Wild Bill Wright – R1, Pick 11 – Mexico City Diablos Rojos
Drafting Wright is a nod to history from the capital club. “Wild Bill,” an imposing 6’4” outfielder, was a switch-hitting terror in both the Negro Leagues and the Mexican League. Known for his speed and power, Wright earned MVP honours in Mexico in 1943 and later made the country his home, beloved as much for his character as his play. His selection by Mexico City rekindles a love affair more than 70 years old.
4. Ronald Acuña Jr. – R1, Pick 2 – Quintana Roo Tigres
No surprise here. The Tigres snapped up Ronald Acuña Jr. early, and rightly so. The Venezuelan outfielder is one of the defining figures of the modern game — dynamic, flashy and devastating at the plate. Still just 20 in draft age, Acuña boasts a rare 40-40 season and elite bat speed. In the sun-drenched ballparks of the Yucatán Peninsula, his flair will feel right at home.
5. Heavy Johnson – R1, Pick 1 – Yucatán Leones
With the first overall pick, Yucatán made a statement of historical reverence. Heavy Johnson, one of the most feared hitters of the 1920s, won the 1923 Negro National League batting title with a .406 average. A powerful, barrel-chested catcher-outfielder hybrid, Johnson was also a military veteran and a respected leader. In anchoring the Leones’ rebuild, he brings thunder in the bat and gravitas in the clubhouse.
6. Pascual Pérez – R1, Pick 15 – Chihuahua Dorados
Flamboyant, fearless and always entertaining, Pascual Pérez brought flair to the mound like few others. The late Dominican righty, drafted by Chihuahua, once famously got lost on the way to a game and arrived mid-inning — but still dominated. With a blazing fastball and a penchant for deception, he was an All-Star and a showman. In Chihuahua, fans should expect both strikeouts and swagger in equal measure.
7. Jhonny Peralta – R1, Pick 8 – Campeche Piratas
A steady force through the 2000s, Dominican shortstop Jhonny Peralta built a career on quiet consistency. With over 200 career home runs and multiple All-Star nods, he was dependable both with the glove and at the plate. Campeche’s pick reflects a preference for stability over flash — but make no mistake, Peralta’s value could anchor the infield for a decade.
8. Mariano Rivera – R2, Pick 2 – Veracruz El Águila
Could there be a better match of player and place? The greatest closer in baseball history, drafted to pitch on the Gulf coast. Rivera’s legacy is well known: 652 saves, five rings, and a cut fastball that haunted batters for two decades. Born in Panama and deeply spiritual, his calm under pressure became legend. Veracruz has landed not just a reliever, but a spiritual compass for their bullpen and beyond.
9. Bill Monroe – R2, Pick 13 – Oaxaca Guerreros
Drafting Monroe is like tapping into the game’s jazz era — unpredictable, gifted and utterly magnetic. A Negro Leagues infielder in the early 1900s, Monroe was famed for his glove, his wit and his powerful stick. He could dazzle defensively or drop bombs from the left side. For Oaxaca, his showmanship might pair beautifully with the city’s artistic soul.
10. Masyn Winn – R3, Pick 19 – Durango Caliente
One of the youngest and most exciting modern talents in the pool, Masyn Winn brings double-barrelled potential to Durango: a cannon arm at shortstop and top-tier speed on the basepaths. The Texan was already turning heads with elite athleticism, and at 21 he has room to blossom into a superstar. For Caliente, his arrival adds spice to an already combustible roster.
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The Gulf League may still be in its infancy, but certain names already carry weight beyond their selection slot. Whether drawn from the archives or tomorrow’s highlight reels, these picks embody the league’s mission: to honour the game’s full tapestry while forging its next great era.