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Canadian Baseball League
2012 Articles


Inside the Dugout

Draft Edition

(CBL Newswire) - by B-Mac of the Sherwood Shitrag

Yes, I know, we haven't been around for a while and writing articles because the crew here got really drunk in PEI and we fell asleep listening to owner Justin Herrington explain why his 80 wins this season should translate into 85 within the next two decades and if he could just raise the team batting 2 points, he should come within 20 games of first this year.

Anyways, we are in London, On for the draft this season, home to the former Windsor Spitfires. The Calgary Remparts would control the clock and they would make there selection two weeks before there allotted 15 minutes would start to run down. They would select third baseman Pat Leclaire. The 18 year old out of Lakehead had a rough third season with the Thunderwolves, playing in 100 games, only hitting 10 homers and 68 RBI's, even though he has some great potential in the CBL. One thing that may never be corrected is his defense, he made 20 errors last year with the T-Wolves and scouts say it is one knock on his future.

The second pick belonged to the Sherwood Park Ice. There was some confusion though. GM Brendan Macgranachan thought he had pressed '5' on his phone to phone commish Graham Colvin in his pick. Instead, he had pressed '6' for the beer man. He spoke and said that he 'drafted Bill Brauneller'. The beer man came and gave him a Brauneller Draft, because Bill's uncle, Martin, had invited that beer. He thought the beer was complimentary. Macgranachan got really confused because Colvin had not yet announced the pick with 30 seconds left on the clock, until the beer man was expecting him to pay the tab. Then Macgranachan finally realized his mistake, who phoned it in to Colvin. Then, a drunken Colvin announced the pick, which is a perfect example why you should never give Colvin 15 minutes by himself. Brauneller, sort of like last years #1 Harold Bydrak, doesn't have an overpowering ability but Macgranachan says that he has lots of time to develop, since he is only 17.

Right-handed hurler Scott Sidden was picked by Port Hope at #3. A teammate of Pat Leclaire in Lakehead, Sidden posted 18 wins on the season. Sidden relies on his fastball most of the time and while scouts have pointed out inconsistencies in his game, Sidden worked hard at the CBSB combine and looks to posses a good fastball. Even though his only other pitch, a slider, is very weak and doesn't move too much, it might still be effective. "His slider will work because hitters will always be thinking of that knee-buckling fastball, and the slider comes. It's almost like a change-up." Says a CBSB senior.

Left-hander Jordan Whitta was high on a lot of draft boards. So when he was available at the number 4 spot to Victoria, owner and General Manager Dave Dearing pounced on him. The 6'6" southpaw out of the U of Sherbrooke is also born on Canada Day. He doesn't possess a lot of power of his pitches but his catcher, Vincent Hoerdter, also eligible for this years draft, say that his cut fastball dies within 3 feet to the plate. That is why he was among the league leaders in almost pitching category and widely considered the best pitcher in the league.

Another third sacker, Montae Tohill, was chosen fifth by the Winnipeg Cobras. New owner Alex May might call the rookie from the champion Brandon Bobcats soon because he looks primed to maybe even start right away. Tohill batted .359 this season with 34 home runs and 185 RBI's in the middle of the order for the 'Cats. He will move two hours east to Winnipeg where the fans hope he can be the savior they have been looking for.

The other picks are available on the CBL website and www.thecbl.com. For the 'Rag, I'm B-Mac.

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