1978 Amateur Draft Discussion

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Figured I'd get this going since I'm working on the 78 Draft Class. I'm trying to take things in little pieces each day so I don't get burnt out and hopefully we'll end up done sometime close to the end of the playoffs. As I have time I will continue to try to write little blurbs for your entertainment and also to give you an idea of what type of players are going to be available to be drafted so you have one more thing to keep in mind as you make trades and acquire or move draft picks in those trades. Without further ado, I present to you, the 1978 Draft Class, and..................................

The Catchers:

Unfortunately, not a lot to see here. You have on potential middle of the road starter in Rich Gedman, one "iffy" starter in Geno Petralli, and a handful of backup types like Dave Engle, Junior Ortiz and Chris Bando.

Rich Gedman- Gedman had a 10 year tenure with the Red Sox before finishing his career with the Cardinals. Took over behind the plate for Carlton Fisk, along with Andy Allanson initially, which were big shoes to fill, but Gedman was named Sporting News Rookie of the Year and had some good seasons with the bat under the tutelage of famed Red Sox hitting coach Walt Hriniak. Red Sox fans will remember Gedman for allowing the past ball in the 86 World Series in the bottom of the 10th. The Sox of course were leading by a run and were one out from being World Champions. With Kevin Mitchell at 3rd and Mookie Wilson at bat Bob Stanley threw a pitch that Gedman couldn't handle that was ruled a past ball allowing Mitchell to score and tie the game. What happened next is a piece of Red Sox lore as of course Mookie hit the ball between Bill Buckner's legs, the Mets scored to win the game and went on to win the series. In our game Gedman goes AVG/G/F/AVG/AVG/AVG with B/B catcher ratings. He's developed to the point where he could probably see AA in 83. With some development he could be starting C material.

Geno Petralli- Spent most of his career with the Rangers, a few years in Toronto. Decent with the stick, primary duty for the Rangers was catching knuckleballer Charlie Hough, and he set the MLB record for past balls one game (6) doing it. Had 35 past balls in one season, 32 of which were thrown by Hough. Also caught Nolan Ryan's 300th win. Good range behind the plate (B), can play 3B, although not good. Goes AVG/AVG/F/F/G/G. At only 18 years of age needs a lot of development.

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The First Basemen:

Greg Walker- Walker had a 10 year career, 9 of which were spent on the South side of Chicago in a White Sox uniform. Early 2nd round talent, although maybe higher in this draft depending on depth. Goes AVG/G/F/G/AVG/AVG with very good 1B D (A). Had 4 very nice seasons from 84-87, 3 of those seasons he hit 24, 24 and 27 HR's, twice hit more than 30 doubles. Struggled to start the 88 season, had lost his job by the end of the year and never regained it. Was a rule 5 draft pick from the Phillies that had 4 very nice seasons and a couple of other respectable ones. Walker enters the league as a 19 year old and will need a lot of development.

Steve "Bye Bye" Balboni- A true "Two True Outcome" player, didn't walk a ton, but it was homer or strikeout with this guy over his 11 year career spent mostly with the Yankees and the Royals. Averaged a homer every 17 AB's or so (BR), so had true 30 HR power, hit 36 in 85, and finished in the top 20 in MVP voting in both 84 and 85, and it was based purely on his power. Goes F/AVG/F/BR/AVG/F and played good (B) 1B defense, although he found himself in the DH role quite a bit. 21 years old and will also need a lot of development. For the record, always sported a fantastic porn stache.

Dave Hostetler- Kind of a Balboni "Lite" type of player. Played in parts of 5 seasons, 3 with the Rangers, where he had his most success. Finished 6th in the ROY voting in when he hit 22 HR's in 418 AB's despite only hitting .232, which ended up being his highest batting average in any season where he had any sort of meaningful AB's, which would explain why he only ended his career with a smidge over 800 AB's. Goes F/F/AVG/G/AVG/P and at 21 needs a lot of development.

Finally, one of my favorite names is in this group, Razor Shines. Never really made it, got a handful of AB's with the Expos, but always loved the name!

[CSCommish]

BALBONI!

[CSCommish]

Did a double-take on Hostetler, thinking it was the Giants QB in the 90s