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Moriarty9 · 10-13-2009, 10:36 PM

Devil Rays bolster farm system
Tampa Bay adds to minors with amateur draft
June 15, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays bolstered their minor league system during the amateur draft.

The Devil Rays had a pair of first round draft picks, selecting infielder Anthony Bender with the 19th pick of the draft, and outfielder Santiago Acarcon with the 30th pick of the draft.

Bender is a 21-year-old from Texas that played all four infield positions in college, but Tampa Bay scouts consider him a second baseman. Devil Rays scouting director Dan Plesac said Bender has great power potential, is patient, and is "an excellent baserunner." He is an average defensive infielder.

Acarcon, 21, is a left-handed hitter from Mexico that Plesac believes could be a "dominant hitter" for a decade. He has "plus-plus contact" and a is considered a "pure hitter."

With their second round draft pick, Tampa Bay added infielder Curt Carrey. The 17-year-old switch-hitter is primarily a shortstop from Montreal with, Plesac said, "practically no flaws in his hitting" that should be "near the top of the lineup."

The Devil Rays added to their minor league pitching depth with the 90th pick overall with the third round selection of Leonardo Montes. The 17-year-old right-hander is from Landen, Ohio and Plesac is confident that he has "great potential" with a "feisty, great temperament."

Pitching picks continued in the fourth round with Juan Fernandez, the fifth round with Jon Long, and the sixth round with Esteban Flores.

Fernandez, 21, is a right-hander from Puerto Rico with "well above average" breaking pitches.

Long, 19, is a right-hander from Maryland that Plesac says has "above average stuff for a kid his age," but did note he does tend to give up a lot of long fly balls and home runs.

Flores is an 18-year-old right-hander from Seattle with "passable stuff" that could be a force on the mound if he learns to attack hitters more and keep his head in the game.

The seventh round selection was outfielder Ron McKnight, a 21-year-old switch-hitter from Quincy, Massachusetts. McKnight, Plesac said, "will be a very good contact hitter" and an "above average baserunner."

10-13-2009, 10:36 PM	#615 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays bolster farm system Tampa Bay adds to minors with amateur draft June 15, 2009 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays bolstered their minor league system during the amateur draft. The Devil Rays had a pair of first round draft picks, selecting infielder Anthony Bender with the 19th pick of the draft, and outfielder Santiago Acarcon with the 30th pick of the draft. Bender is a 21-year-old from Texas that played all four infield positions in college, but Tampa Bay scouts consider him a second baseman. Devil Rays scouting director Dan Plesac said Bender has great power potential, is patient, and is "an excellent baserunner." He is an average defensive infielder. Acarcon, 21, is a left-handed hitter from Mexico that Plesac believes could be a "dominant hitter" for a decade. He has "plus-plus contact" and a is considered a "pure hitter." With their second round draft pick, Tampa Bay added infielder Curt Carrey. The 17-year-old switch-hitter is primarily a shortstop from Montreal with, Plesac said, "practically no flaws in his hitting" that should be "near the top of the lineup." The Devil Rays added to their minor league pitching depth with the 90th pick overall with the third round selection of Leonardo Montes. The 17-year-old right-hander is from Landen, Ohio and Plesac is confident that he has "great potential" with a "feisty, great temperament." Pitching picks continued in the fourth round with Juan Fernandez, the fifth round with Jon Long, and the sixth round with Esteban Flores. Fernandez, 21, is a right-hander from Puerto Rico with "well above average" breaking pitches. Long, 19, is a right-hander from Maryland that Plesac says has "above average stuff for a kid his age," but did note he does tend to give up a lot of long fly balls and home runs. Flores is an 18-year-old right-hander from Seattle with "passable stuff" that could be a force on the mound if he learns to attack hitters more and keep his head in the game. The seventh round selection was outfielder Ron McKnight, a 21-year-old switch-hitter from Quincy, Massachusetts. McKnight, Plesac said, "will be a very good contact hitter" and an "above average baserunner."