Anchorage Anchors Future on Draft Picks June 18, 1999
Anchorage AK (AP) - The Abominations came into the draft with several options
available. They had traded their first round pick, the eighth pick in the
draft, and acquired the 22nd, 26th, and the 37th picks via separate deals
earlier in the year. They also had their 2nd round pick given to Vero Beach
in the free agent plan during the off-season.
Anchorage was able to use their picks to acquire some much-needed youth
in their farm system. With the 22nd pick in the first round, the Abominations
were able to select highly-touted third base prospect Fernando Tatis. Tatis
will likely remain in the minors for the balance of the season, despite his
agent's request that Tatis be activated this season. "Fernando is ready this
year to play big league ball. [Fernando] is only likely to sign and play in
Anchorage if this is the option that is presented." said Tatis' agent, Jack
Furer.
Owner Nick Tulach has decided that Tatis must be given a chance to develop
in the minors for a time. "We are not going to give in to Tatis' agent
when we believe that he needs time to adjust to the professional lifestyle.
Fernando will be ready to play soon, but how soon, we have not determined
yet." As to what Tulach plans are for the thirdbaseman when he already has
Jeff Cirillo there, he commented: "I like both guys. It gives us all kinds
of options in the infield. It can only be healthy for the team."
Other selections by Anchorage included four pitchers: lefty Al Ake and
righties Art Danforth, Sam Gardella, and Scott Pierce. When asked
what the plans are for these prospects, Tulach commented: "Well, we can't have
more then one 'Scott' in our pitching staff, so we'll see."
