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Hartford (AP)- Members of the Hartford Whalers organization could go to bed resting easier after hearing that they had landed 17-year-old shortstop, Mathius Lund, in the First Annual PVBL Amateur Draft Monday night. Gm Jeremy Chrabascz had this to say of Lund, "He was our top choice. Well, okay, Leefenhaufenhauz was actually our top choice but we knew at pick 14 it would certainly be wishful thinking to think we'd get HIM. But Lund was, unequivocally, our top choice outside of that guy. Lund is extremely fast and was the best hitting shortstop and, argueably, the best-hitting infielder overall in the draft. We're extremely pleased and, frankly, quite excited to have Lund in our camp for the long haul. And we do mean the long haul. Mathius is 17 and we plan on him becoming a permananet fixture of the Hartford Whalers organization." When asked if Lund would be asked to contribute anytime soon, Chrabascz was cryptic, "Who's to say. But we do know we're bypassing the lower minors to get him into AAA right away." Incumbent Hartford shortstops, Harold Reynolds and Kurt Abbott, both were pleased with the pick. Reynolds said, "Frankly, we all know my days are number and my career is just about up. Lund was the best non-pitching prospect in the draft in our opinion. Kurt and I were consulted about it." Abbott simply said, "He's a good kid and I can't wait to teach him everything I know. He'll surely surpass me before the age of 21, no doubt."
Capsule Profile: Mathius Lund, Shortstop
CH PH SP vL FA FS
40 39 62 52 46 60
He also can pull the ball with a 61 rating while keeping it on or low to the ground with a 61 G/F rating as well.
Note: Hartford also picked up left-handed relief pitching prospect, Dave Flowers before team officials went to bed. Newly acquired pitching coach, Dennis Lamp said of Flowers, "He's got a major league fastball and great strength. The minor league pitching coaches will have to work hard on his control, however. He won't see the Big Time for quite a Long Time."
On the entire organization going to bed early, Chrabascz said, "There was not a hell of a lot of talent left after Round 2 of the draft, trust me."
Meanwhile...in anticipation of the rosters expanding to 50...
The Hartford Whalers have had contracts out for the last week or so for the following Free Agents (have yet to recieve a response from the home PVBL office): 2B Luis Sojo, 3B John Wehner, RHP Mark Brandenburg, LHP Greg Hibbard All to be sent to AAA Glastonbury (CT)
Written by Jeremy Chrabascz