[mikev]

Runnin Down The Draft

As the draft continues on, the Crusaders have added four more youngsters to their farm.

CF Alfredo Ortiz
Age 21
Born 5/1/1991, La Primavera, Columbia
6'1", 160lbs
Bats: Switch Throws: Right

3/4/1/3/3 talent potential

Ortiz, at 21 already a fantastic defensive outfielder (ranked 9/8/7 at LF/CF/RF) and a ridiculously fast runner (9 speed, 10 stealing, 10 baserunning) was selected at the end of round 2, 67th overall. While he's got essentially zero power potential, his plus gap power and plus plus speed translate to a doubles and triples machine. If his contact, eye, and strikeout talents are at the higher end of the 3 range, we're confident that we just drafted our 2014 leadoff hitter and center fielder.

RF Jose Canseco (giggle)
Age 18
Born 12/25/1993, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
5'11", 210lbs
Bats: Left Throws: Left

3/3/3/3/3 talent potential

Canseco is pretty much the definition of an average player. Every talent he has is average, his speed is average, his fielding ratings are average, his arm is average. However, at pick number 76 overall (Round 3 pick 4), if we can nab an average player we're happy.

SP Crawford Tetreault
Age 20
Born 10/04/1991, New York, New York
6'0", 210lbs
Bats: Left Throws: Left

2/3/3 talent potential

We almost took this guy with pick #76, so when he was still on the board at pick #103, we went ahead and nabbed him. He's not a particularly hard thrower, occasionally touching 90, but he's got good endurance and his control and movement are both decent. His upside is probably a #4 starter at best, or a long reliever/mopup type guy, but there is some value there if he can manage to eat innings and not give up a billion runs.

RF Luis Gonzalez
Age 19
Born 02/03/1993, Oranjestad, Aruba
6'5", 175lbs
Bats: Right Throws: Right

3/4/3/2/2 talent potential

At pick #139, at the end of the fourth round, you're hoping to find somebody with a skill that may be useful in the big leagues someday. A guy like Gonzalez, with 8 speed, 10 steals, 10 baserunning, 10 sac bunt, and passable defense at both corner outfield positions (6 rating both fielding and arm at LF and RF), you see a guy who is a potential pinch runner, defensive replacement, late inning type of 5th outfielder on a squad. Couple that with plus gap power, decent pop, and there's a guy who could potentially see time with a big league club.