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January 2, 2023
Draft Complete: Raiders Choose a Future, Not a Shortcut
The waiting is over. The picks are in. After 180 long rounds spread across the league, the San Jose Raiders finally have something tangible to show for their place in the PBA: a roster.
If there was any doubt about how Emanuel Black would approach his first major test as general manager, this draft provided clarity. Whether by design, necessity, or a combination of both, the Raiders emerged from the process looking younger than expected—a notable shift from Black’s reputation for favoring veterans.
Some of that youth was unavoidable given the club’s limited financial flexibility. Other selections, however, were unmistakably intentional.
Navigating the Board From an Awkward Spot
Draft position shaped the entire experience. The Raiders selected third in odd-numbered rounds and 30th in even-numbered rounds, a pattern that created long, uncomfortable gaps as talent disappeared from the board with no way to intervene.
It forced patience. It punished hesitation. And it demanded decisiveness.
More than once, players the Raiders likely had circled were gone by the time their turn came back around. The front office had to live with it—and move on quickly.
The Franchise Bet: Joey Watts
With the third overall pick, the Raiders made their biggest statement of the draft, selecting 22-year-old center fielder Joey Watts out of The Hammocks, Florida.
The choice set the tone immediately. Watts comes with at least three years of team control before free agency, and his projection as one of the league’s premier center fielders made him an obvious long-term cornerstone. Black didn’t chase a quick fix. He chased a future.
If Watts becomes what he’s projected to be, this pick will be revisited often—and not just in San Jose.
A Veteran Spine, With Youth Around It
Despite the overall youthful direction, the projected starting lineup blends experience and prime-age contributors:
C – Danny Seavy (27)
1B – Jose Gonzalez (30)
2B – Carlos Olivarri (27)
3B – Andrew McRaven (30)
SS – Steve Kibler (27)
LF – Elimilton Janeiro (28)
CF – Joey Watts (22)
RF – Dave Jones (36)
It’s a lineup that leans toward offense, in line with Black’s known preferences. Speed, batting average, and reliability appear to have been prioritized over flash or raw power.
Five additional batters were drafted to round out the first-team roster, though their roles remain unsettled. Spring training will decide who sticks.
A Rotation Built on Youth
If the position players show balance, the pitching staff makes a much bolder statement.
The first starter off the board was 22-year-old Willie Bacca, taken in the fourth round, and he anchors a rotation that skews unmistakably young:
Willie Bacca (22)
Joe Basinger (24)
Danny Castillo (22)
Luis Hernandez (24)
Joe Olsen (22)
It’s a group full of upside—and uncertainty. There are few safety nets here. Development will matter as much as performance, and patience will be tested early.
Bullpen Roles Take Shape
The bullpen offers a bit more experience at the back end:
Closer – Danilo Bobbio (30)
Setup – Bobby Ragland (24)
Middle Relief – Mike Brown (24), Boudewijn Shingler
Four additional relievers have been assigned to the first-team squad, but like several bench players, their places are far from secure. Spring training will be unforgiving.
The Real Work Begins Now
The draft may be over, but this is where the difficult part begins.
It’s now on Emanuel Black and the coaching staff to mold this collection of youth, experience, and projection into something coherent—and competitive. Development plans, roster decisions, and early confidence will shape the Raiders’ identity long before the standings do.
Over the coming days, we’ll look to bring you interviews with players and members of the front office, offering a closer look at the personalities who will define this franchise’s first steps.
The San Jose Raiders finally have a team.
Now we find out who they really are.
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