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In the interest of space, I'm moving several of the features from the season wrap-up into a separate post. Here, then, is a further look at the 1906 Finger Lakes League season.
Top Players:
1. Francisco Rivera, CF, Penn Yan.
2. Robby Ward, SS, Seneca Falls.
3. Duane Blackburn, RF, Waterloo.
Top Pitchers:
1. Joe Norris, RHP, Canandaigua.
2. Hayden Williams, RHP, Geneva.
3. Raul Alonso, RHP, Geneva.
Top Prospects: Pitchers
1. Roger Hopkins, RHP, Seneca Falls. A 20-year-old righthander, Hopkins was the #1 choice in the June draft. His stuff isn't outstanding, but his command and control are exquisite.
2. Justin Mann, RHP, Geneva. Justin's still raw at age 19, but his upside is conisiderable.
3. Maximo Chavez, RHP, Canandaigua. Maximo is already demonstrating his ability to get Finger Lakes hitters out, and the best is yet to come. His pure stuff might be the best in the league one day.
Top Prospects: Position Players
1. Nick Wells, 2B, Penn Yan. Nick is only 5'4", but his on-base skills and speed mark him as an elite leadoff man one day. He's only 18, so his skills are still far from complete.
2. Geoffrey Veeck, SS, Watkins Glen. Veeck, 19, can fly and pick it with the best at shortstop, and he should hit .300 one day.
3. Paul O’Connor, CF, Waterloo. Paul hit only .204 in 206 at-bats this year, but he's only 20. He projects as a middle-of-the-order slugger with a sharp batting eye.
Finger Lakes Farewells
Four players who distinguished themselves during the first three seasons of Finger Lakes League play retired at the end of the 1906 season.
Catcher Carlos Castro, 39, played solid defense and hit .242 for the Waterloo Finches.
First baseman Mario Venegas of Penn Yan drove in 147 runs in two seasons and won a Seneca Cup Series ring. The Brawlers released him last January, and after failing to land a job during the ’06 season, he retired at age 40.
Another first sacker, Pancho Gonzales of Geneva, retired at age 43 after appearing in 12 games in 1906. Gonzales hit .261 and drove in 101 runs during his career.
Pitcher Ronald Bridges enjoyed a solid season with Penn Yan (see above), but chose to retire at age 37. He finished his career with a 37-53 record and a 3.13 ERA.
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