Boston, MA – The Red Sox struck gold in the mind of General Manager Andrew Habermehl when they got to draft in the Retro Baseball League Rule IV draft tonight. “We are very, very, very pleased with our top two selections” Habermehl exclaimed upon the conclusion of the first two rounds. The Red Sox walked away from the first two rounds with two outfielders, Richard Hidalgo and Mark Kotsay.
“We are confident that both are going to be very productive major league players in very quick order,” Habermehl explained, “and we feel like they only add quality to our team.” Hidalgo looks more major league ready than Kotsay, but both bring a world of potential to the organization that selected them. Hidalgo, heading into the draft, was rated the eight best prospect by SiON sports.
Hidalgo putting on a hitting show in Venezuela
Hidalgo is a twenty year old outfielder from Venezuela who posses one of the top bats available in the draft. He has outstanding contact, gap and pure power potential, rating highly in all three of those categories according to the scouts interviewed. “Not only can the kid rake, but he has a hose and great range in left field,” an American League scout commented.
“Kotsay is a Hidalgo clone, without the homerun power. He is going to hit for average, get a lot of doubles and play an outstanding outfield,” another scout explained before saying “his arm and range are unmatched in the draft.” Kotsay is a 20 year old outfielder from California and also brings a bit of speed to the base paths. It looks like he will begin the season in AAA, as opposed to Hidalgo who looks ready to step into the lineup on opening day of the 1996 season.
Kotsay smiling after being drafted
“We are very happy with this draft and the quality of players we were able to acquire,” Habermehl said in his closing statements. It remains to be seen, however, whether these quality players will result in wins and revitalize baseball in Boston.