Out of the Shadows: The Eclipse League

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Just a quick FYI on this save from this point before we proceed.

In an effort to accelerate things, I'll be lightening the load a bit with regard to reportage over the final section of this league's finite life-cycle, which runs through to 2009. I'll still be providing the annual preview and a stripped-back Janus report each Opening Day, but just a single recap each season from this point, rather than the monthly as has been the case of late.

I'm also bringing down the curtain on the Out of the Shadows features, given we're not really seeing new candidates come through any more. My aim is to have this all tied up with a nice little bow on top by Xmas Day this year, meaning it would have run for exactly five years.


OK, so we are nearly tapped out completely on the Draft, with the Category A NeL and MLB players now all done and just this and one more group of the Category B MLB players to go. That leaves just the B/C NeLers and Category C MLB players still providing new blood. While I'll keep conducting them with the lesser-quality players to ensure the league continues to run smoothly, after this year I'll just fold a brief recap of any salient points of interest from the ensuing Drafts into the respective Opening Day preview. At some point, I'll close down the TL and just have clubs run Reserve Rosters, as there won't be sufficient players to service the extra level.

NeLer Fred Wilson (with whom I am totally unfamiliar) is an interesting one among this year's draftees and I might use him to draw a proper line under the OotS ledger at some point. He comes in hot and should be one of the first taken here. Catcher Robert Footes and pitcher Rufus Lewis are a couple other NeL players to watch for.

Frankie Montas, Marcus Stroman, Jorge Orta, Yan Gomes and Billy Hatcher are among those from the MLB ranks entering the league this year.

The Bacharach Giants have the first pick in the 1993 EL Draft, and they use it on pitcher Justin Masterson.

Here are Rounds 1 and 2 in full:

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