Ownership is very happy with the draft selections that GM Gary Altman has put together.
First Round - Lowell Anderson. Rumors were circulating that the Bombers were yet again going to select an elite SP Prospect. However, "Big Stud" Anderson fell to #5 and Altman didn't even use up his allotted time to make the selection. Almost immediately, season ticket sales were up 3,000 after the pick.
Anderson, currently rated as an 8 in RF is anticipated to bring his defense up to at least 10 and hopefully a 12 by the time he makes it to South Carolina. His offensive numbers rate as:
17-15-17-15-13 and you'd think he could make it to the ABL in just two seasons. Sources tell the Bomber Beat that there is serious debate where Anderson starts his professional career, either in A or AA.
Second Round - Adrian Ortiz, 1B. Another collegiate offensive standout was selected. Rated as an 18 defensively, and offensive numbers show 15-14-12-13-17. Initial scouting reports say, "Looks like a natural out there and the game comes easy to him. Could be one of the best in the league at his position.
Third Round - Noburo "PitBull" Yoshida. This pick was a tad off the reservation for the Altman. When asked about this pick he was quick to point out that getting a high stamina SP who was just 17 years old was almost a no brainer. Yoshida throws 93-95 and management believes that as his body physically matures he'll be able to go 2-4 MPH faster. He throws 4 pitches and his basic pitch ratings are 13-13-13. He's a 3.5* ABL Potential now, but we feel as if he'll move that number as he progresses.
Fourth Round - J.R. Murphy. Another SP prospect that has 4 pitches and his basic rating is 12-13-14. Another 3.5* ABL Potential.
Fifth Round - Mamoru Nemoto, 2B. Excellent Range, and can turn a double play, this 16 year old has all the makings of being a stud. His basic batting ratings are 16-17-8-13-20. A true number 2 hitter in the lineup who always gets the bat on the ball and rarely strikes out.. 4* ABL Potential
Sixth Round - Jeffrey Blevins, CL. A live arm with ratings of 18-14-8 He has a plus fastball and curve and has 4* ABL potential.
Seventh Round - Gilbert German, RF. A defensive stud in RF (14) and positive offensive numbers. 12-14-16-10-13. Lots of power to be expected by German and while only 2.5* SC is expecting some big power numbers from German.
Eighth Round - And yet another SP Prospect. Hidekazu Takeuchi. 17 years old, 19 Stamina and throws 6 pitches - all above average! His basic pitch ratings are 12-12-12, and has 2.5* potential. This was a departure for Bomber management as he has yet to break 90 MPH with his pitches, but based on his poise expectations are optimistically high for Takeuchi.
Ninth Round - 24 year old Hirokazu Matsumoto. Does a lot of things very well...except hit HR's. He can play LF or RF equally well (14), and his basic batting numbers are 15-14-3-12-11. His base running is outstanding and steals to a 15 rating. ABL potential is 2.5 primarily because he has little power. He will start the season in AA. His Scouting Report says, "Profiles as a future big-league regular, but he's got the talent to exceed even that projection". ow while his HR Power rating is a 3, he did hit 13 HR's in 295 in the Japanese league. If he plays like he did in Japan he will undoubtedly be the steal of this draft.
Tenth Round - Bob Taylor, 1B. Has some power, but not much else to go on. Will be lucky to spend two seasons in this organization that has some depth at 1B with the drafting of Ortiz.
Eleventh Round - Edward Bayley, MR. The third teenage that can not vote has been drafted by SC. Right now Bayley is a MR, but we're thinking closer sometime down the road. His basic ratings are 18-7-15 with 3 pitches and a 16 stamina. His ABL Projection is 4*
Twelfth Round - Ernie Webber. 2B. A below average middle infielder is being looked upon to take the bump. His ABL Projection is 3* and his basic ratings are 12-13-11 and he has 3 pitches and a 19 Stamina. Ernie needs to work on his control. If he can maintain or improve that he will quickly ascend the South Carolina organization
All in all, there was a lot of talent drafted by SC which should further back fill the teams lower level teams. Player development is key for the Bombers as their budget is still in the bottom half of the league, thus making the need to develop their own talent that much more critical.
