Scorpions Push Reset Button In 2015 Draft

By Mike Renick

The franchise known as the Columbus Clippers was recently sold and relocated to Little Rock, Ark. Team owners moved swiftly to rebrand the franchise as the the Little Rock Scorpions. The change in ownership meant lots of changes on the field. First there is a brand new stadium named the Scorpion Den. The new stadium's facade is modeled after a what was a local treasure for more than 70 years, Ray Winder Field. There is a statue of the great Bill Valentine just outside of the home plate entrance. Local legend is that team owner Mike Renick buried a Jose Cruz game used jock strap under home plate. It is, a modern shrine to baseball's past and present and to the eternally hopeful future.

In addition to a snazzy new logo and stadium the new ownership has vowed to do a better job of keeping the franchise stocked with talent and youth. Evidence of the change in philosophy was clearly demonstrated by the initial flurry of roster moves. Notably, a concerted effort to acquire youth and players who project to earn full-time jobs in the near future. Players on the inherited roster included names like Zoilo Almonte, Brian Bogusevic, Tim Fedorowicz, Jeff Francouer, Freddy Garcia, Jack Hannahan, Jeff Keppinger, Barry Zito and Nate Freiman.

Truly, it was an amazing(ly depressing) collection of backup to the backups, geriatrics, and bad role players. This meant making some hard (and some really easy) decisions about current pieces of the roster. Immediately after acquiring the club, ownership began the roster overhaul. The Scorpions traded Matt Holliday, Hiroki Kuroda, Evan Gattis and Nelson Cruz. (So, yes, offense will be lacking in 2015). The return for these veterans included a collection of picks in the first two rounds of the draft as well as some assets to help carry the team through the rebuild. Heading into draft day, the Scorpions owned two top 10 picks and the first three picks in round two.

In a shallow draft class that isn't going to substantially advance a rebuild of this magnitude, the team was afraid they had overplayed their hand and sold off too much quality for too little return. However, this draft did look a solid place lay a some foundation and build some depth. And maybe, just maybe, the team could luck into some some solid regular MLB players. Fortunately, the Scorpions were able to parlay one of their three second-round picks into a first-round pick in what ownership hopes will be a much deeper draft class in 2016.

With the the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, the Scorpions basically had their choice of players. The team opted to add a player whom they think can help in all facets of the game: 22-year-old Gregory Polanco. "We believe he can add excellent defense, a strong arm, a decent walk and strikeout rate, and some power," Renick said. "Hopefully he can play center and the corners. What's not to love?"

A few picks later the team was faced with a tough decision. Spend the pick on (absurdly?) high-risk/high-upside infielder Javier Baez or begin the process of addressing the future with high-probability players.  Playing it safe, and knowing that Omar Infante isn't a part of any playoff team for this franchise, the team selected 20(!)-year-old second baseman Rougned Odor. "He's 12 years younger than Infante and already as good," Renick said. "Hopefully, he'll take over second base full time in 2016 and we won't have to worry about a crucial position for a few years"

With the first two picks in round two there were more tough decisions to be made. Again, team ownership chose to go with players they believe are high probability, if not high ceiling. Catcher Christian Vazquez's defensive ability and arm should keep on the roster for years to come. Center fielder Dalton Pompey looks like he might develop into a leadoff hitter. Maybe he will make sure we don't regret taking Polanco over Mookie Betts.

Third baseman Jake Lamb was the Scorpions third-round selection. "We think it could work for Lamb," Renick said. "He walks, has some power, and at least he knows what a glove looks like. Our current third base situation is a little bleak"

The Scorpions fourth- and fifth-round picks were spent on the roulette table as the team drafted pitchers Andrew Heaney and Jimmy Nelson. "Well, you have to have them," Renick said. "Look, I hate drafting pitchers—period—especially in the first stages of a rebuild, but these two guys seem like they might not be awful and we are gonna need somebody when A.J. Burnett retires. At any rate, they have to be better than Freddy Garcia and Barry Zito."

All remaining picks were spent to meet the demands of the game. Utility player Mike Aviles was added in the sixth, while the supplemental rounds yielded Josh Tomlin, Brandon Workman, Trevor Cahill, and Josh Edgin. You have to field a shortstop, and somebody has to pitch innings seven, eight and nine. Both positions will be a real weakness in the upcoming season—but you never know. We fully expect at least one of these guys to be around for 2016.

2015 Roster (players new to the franchise are in bold)

C: Ross, Pierzynski, H Sanchez, Vazquez
1B: Morrison, Hart, Pacheco
2B: Infante, Odor
3B: Moustakas, Lamb
SS: Escobar, Aviles
Corner OF: Ackley, Gardner, Barnes, Pompey
CF: Lagares, Polanco
DH: All hands on deck
SP: Miller, Burnett, Alvarez, Guthrie, Mike Gonzalez, Jaime Garcia, Heaney, Nelson
RP: Torres, McAllister, Stammen, Tomlin, Workman, Cahill, Edgin

Overall, ownership was somewhat encouraged if not quite enthused by the results of the draft. "This draft class if far from a home run," Renick said, "but depth is important. Maybe next season our entire draft can be based strictly on talent, but that wasn't the case this year. As you can see, the organization was able to turn over half the roster. We now have youth on our side. We think it is a significant step in the right direction, although it is doubtful that the casual fan will see the dividends this season or probably even next season. Hopefully, we can address that awful situation at shortstop in the next draft."