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Anxious to get back to playing after a long layoff, Punxatawney Groundhogs owner and manager Dan Shapiro released a press release today discussing the recent amateur draft.
The following is excerpted from the release:
"Punxatawney is pleased to announce the acquisition of our first three players for the Rhyolite Eddie Gaedels.
Our first draft pick, the 20th selection of the first round, was 2B prospect Jack Jackson. He's fresh out of college from LSU and 21 years old and the best second bagger around. He's got great speed, handles the bat well, and will hopefully blossom into a superstar in a few years.
We got CF Sam Thomas with our next selection. He left Cal State-Fullerton after his Freshman year to enter the draft. Although he only hit .310 last year, his phenomenal speed and great arm make him one of the best young outfielders in the game.
With the last pick, we acquired a fairly decent hitter in Frank Leyritz. He graduated from Alabama last year where he hit .410 with 15 homers. He hasn't entirely proved himself yet and really needs to work on his defense before he's ready for the Pepper League, but he'll get plenty of time in Rhyolite and Roswell to work on his skills."
Team GM Sean Corwin also released a brief statement about the team's draft picks.
"I think we did well for the 20th slot. We got Jack Jackson, a quality infielder and Sam Thomas, a speedy center-fielder with a good arm. Frank Leyritz should also be a solid player for Punxatawney. These three players could really help our team in the future."
Jackson had comments for the press as well on behalf of all three players.
"We are all ecstatic to become part of this great franchise. Personally, I'm not looking forward to playing in Death Valley, but I hope I play well enough to earn a promotion. Until then we'll keep working on improving Rhyolite and making them a championship team in the low minors division."
Once again, the team is anxious to resume play. Dustin Hermanson is very well rested and is prepared to face A.J. Sager and his Chicago South Siders in the final game of series of which Punxatawney has won the first two.
Written by Dan Shapiro