[glenn]

1) St. Louis Redbirds Needs: Second Base, Center Field, Right Field

Draft: CF:L. Bostock, RF:R. Pruitt, RF:P. Dade, SP:P. Vuckovich, 1B:T. Kelly, MR:G. Pentz, LF:J. Brown

Analysis: The Redbirds addressed their most pressing need with the selection of center fielder Lyman Bostock. The speedy center fielder has a good glove, and can play all three outfield positions. St. Louis feels he will be able to immediately contribute to the team, and announced he would be batting ninth and playing center field against right handed pitching.

2) Cincinnati Locomotives
Needs: Center Field, Right Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP:G. Minton, RF:B. Molinaro, 2B:R. Andrews, C:R. Cerone, MR:P. Reuschel, LF:A. Gardner, SP:J. Gideon

Analysis: The Locomotives selected 22 year-old Greg Minton with their first pick. The big righty has a decent fastball, with a good curve, but will need some development before pitching in the big leagues. Cincinnati was pleased that catcher Rick Cerone was still available in the fourth round. Cerone will start the season at AAA and the team will give him a shot to make the big league roster in 1975.

3) Los Angeles Wildcats
Needs: First Base, Second Base, Right Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: CF:C. Lemon, CF:R. Manning, LF:B. Rivera, MR:T.Toms, 2B:J.Manuel, MR:G. Terlecky, 3B:T. Bianco

Analysis: The Wildcats failed to address any of their major needs, and selected two center fielders with their first two picks. Neither Chet Lemon or Manning has played any position other than center field, so the Wildcats may have a potential trade in mind to address their roster needs.

4) Bronx Bombers
Needs: Catcher, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop, Left Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP:J. Candelaria, RF. Ford, SP:R. Guidry, RF:J. Simpson, 1B:B. Beall, SS:M. Miley, SP:J. Pactwa

Analysis: The Bombers addressed a major need, selecting starting pitchers John Candelaria and Ron Guidry. Candelaria will start the season at AAA, and the Bombers will assign Guidry to Single A.

5) Dallas Mavericks
Needs: First Base, Second Base, Shortstop, Left Field, Center Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft:SP. Eckersley, SP:J. Augustine, MR:B. Schultz, 3B:J. Quirk, MR:I. Brookens, RF:A. James, SP:C. Mitchell

Analysis: Dallas selected 19 year-old Dennis Eckersley out of high school. The Mavericks scouts felt that Eckersley was the best pitcher available in the draft, and after a couple of years of development, has the potential to be the ace of the staff. Dallas added lefty Jerry Augustine in the second round, and the Mavericks hope Augustine will be able to develop with Eckersley.

6) Austin Westerners
Needs: Catcher, Second Base, Shortstop, Center Field, Right Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: MR:J. Umbarger, 3B:B. Hobson, MR:O. Jones, 2B: B. Smith, MR: M. Wiley, C: B. Allietta

Analysis: The first round selection of Jim Umbarger was a surprise, because it failed to address Austin’s most pressing needs. Austin still has big holes up the middle at catcher, second base, shortstop, and center field.

7) Philadelphia Freedom Eagles
Needs: First Base, Second Base, Center Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: RF: J. Clark, MR: P. Mitchell, MR: M. Stanton, CF: H. Cruz, SP: E. Raich, LF: G. Martz, LF: C. Chant

Analysis: Philadelphia selected 18 year-old RF Jack Clark with their first selection. The Freedom Eagles feel Clark was the best player available, and has decent speed, and good power potential.

8) Baltimore Renegades
Needs: Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP: M. Flanagan, SS: B. Bailor, MR: D. Moore, 2B: S. Dillard, 2B: D. Flynn, MR: P. Hanna, RF: M. Poepping

Analysis: The Renegades addressed their major need with the selection of lefty Mike Flanagan. The 22 year-old will start the season at single A, but the Renegades feel Flanagan will develop into a top of the rotation starter. The Renegades are pleased with third round selection Donnie Moore, who they feel will help their bullpen, and has the potential to develop into a frontline closer.

9) Fort Worth Cowboys
Needs: Second Base, Shortstop, Left Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SS: R. Smalley, LF: D. Walling, CF: J. Wallis, LF: R. Stillman, 3B: R. Staiger, MR: M. Barlow, DH: L. Fritz

Analysis: The Cowboys selected 21 year-old switch hitter Roy Smalley in the first round. The Cowboys believe that Smalley has the talent to start at either second base, or shortstop.

10) San Jose Bees
Needs: First Base, Shortstop, Center Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP: F. LaCorte, RF: D. Bergman, MR: J. Burton, SS: T. Sandt, DH: D. Goodwin, MR: L. Currence, DH. J. de la Rosa

Analysis: San Jose selected starter Frank LaCorte and right fielder Dave Bergman with their first two selections. San Jose hopes LaCorte will develop into a solid number three starter.

11) San DiegoSea Wolves
Needs: Catcher, Third Base, Left Field, Right Field, Bullpen

Draft: SP: E. Rasmussen, MR: D. Warthen, RP: T. Stoddard, MR: R. Lerch, SS: R. Belloir, MR: R. Kurosaki

Analysis: San Diego selected pitchers in the first three rounds. The Sea Wolves will start all three at single A. Eric Rasmussen will be given the opportunity to start, and Tim Stoddard will start out in the bullpen.

12) Houston Stars
Needs: Shortstop, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP: S. Monge, 2B: D. Scott, MR: D. Heaverlo, SS: J. LeMaster, SP: M. Pazik, MR: K. Crosby

Analysis: Sid Monge was selected in the first round by the Houston Stars. The lefty has a good slider, and good changeup, but has struggled with control.

13) New York Skyliners
Needs: Second Base, Shortstop, Centerfield, Right Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP: R. Tate, MR. F. Arroyo, MR: P. Torrealba, MR: D. Miller, C: A. Merchant, MR: R. Krueger

Analysis: New York failed to make an impact in the draft. Their top pick, Randy Tate, was rated poorly by scouts, and many scouts don’t feel he has the make-up to start at the major league level.

14) Chicago Colts
Needs: First Base, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP: K. Kravec, MR: L. Anderson, MR: R. Baldwin, MR: O. Osburn, MR: C. Knapp, CF: K. Dineen

Analysis: Lefty Ken Kravec was selected in the first round. The Colts believe Kravec is two to three years away from the big leagues, but feel the lefty has good enough stuff to be a middle of the rotation pitcher. The Colts looked to add bullpen depth, with Larry Anderson, Rick Baldwin, and Ozzie Osburn.

15) San Francisco Sky Sox
Needs: Second Base, Shortstop, Center Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: SP: P. Falcone, C: B. Pocoroba, MR: D. Lewallyn, LF: H. Speed, SP: M. Bacsik, 2B: K. Andrew

Analysis: The Sky Sox selected lefty Pete Falcone with their first round pick. Falcone has a good fastball, but has experienced control problems.

16) Los Angeles Titans
Needs: First Base, Third Base, Shortstop, Left Field, Right Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: C: G. Alexander, RF: M. Vail, SS: C. Reynolds, SP: R. Dressler, C: D. Werner, SP: C. Lang

Analysis: The Titans drafted catcher Gary Alexander with their first round pick. The Titans feel that Alexander will provide good defense at catcher, and has the potential to develop into a decent power hitter.

17) Boston Pilgrims
Needs: Catcher, First Base, Third Base, Left Field, Starting Pitching

Draft: RF: E. Valentine, 3B: R. Jackson, SP: M. Norris, 3B: D. McKay, SP: E. Glynn, MR. C. Hockenberry

Analysis: The Pilgrims selected Ellis Valentine with their first pick. The Pilgrims believe Valentine has the potential to hit 20-25 home runs per year, and play solid defense in right field. The Pilgrims will give second round pick Ron Jackson a chance to play and both first base and third base, and feel Jackson will be a good utility player.

18) San Antonio Wranglers
Needs: Shortstop, Right Field, Bullpen

Draft: CF: O. Moreno, 2B: J. Remy, MR: B. McClure, MR: S. Wall, 1B: D. Briggs, MR: G. Throop

Analysis: The Wranglers drafted speedsters Omar Moreno and Jerry Remy with their first two selections. San Antonio feels both are capable of stealing thirty to fifty bases, and give the Wranglers good speed on the bases.

19) Detroit Mustangs
Needs: Catcher, Second Base, Third Base, Right Field, Starting Pitching

Draft: 2B: W. Randolph, CF: L. Harlow, RF: B. Baldwin, MR: J. Sosa, CF: D. Hopkins, MR: S. Grilli

Analysis: The Mustangs were pleased when Willie Randolph was available with the nineteenth selection in the first round. The Mustangs believe Randolph will fill a major need, and become their second baseman of the future.

20) Chicago Storm
Needs: First Base, Third Base, Center Field, Starting Pitching, Bullpen

Draft: LF: D. Collins, RF: G. Adams, 1B: M. Squires, MR: T. Hausman, SS: C. Scrivener, SP: W. Prall

Analysis: Drafting last, the Chicago Storm attempted to take the best player available, regardless of need. Left fielder Dave Collins, and outfielder Glenn Adams were selected with the first two selections.