The Medina Muatangs have been burning up the phone
lines since the draft, wheeling and dealing to make
the Mustangs even stronger.
The Mustangs didnt have a first round pick in this
year's amateur draft, but that didnt stop them from
grabbing two quality prospects in the later rounds.
"Who needs first round picks? We didnt have any last
year, this year, or next year. Yet we are quite
pleased with the prospects we got this year." said
Mustang owner Randy Reese.
The Mustangs drafted 20 year old Hal Estrada, nephew
of famed actor Erik Estrada.
"Hal has a great arm, can go the distance, already has
a great fastball, plus a good curve and sinker. Once
he learns some control, he'll be in our starting
rotation." said Reese.
The top of the third round brought Walter Alvarez,
brother of major league pitcher Wilson Alvarez.
"Same thing with Walt, "said Reese, "He has a great
change and fastball, and is working on his slider. He
has some control problems now, but he is only 23."
At the draft, Reese struck up a conversation with Area
51 owner Jason Garner. The result of that was sending
closer extraordinaire Troy Pervical to the unknowns
for outfielder MArquis Grissom and closer Joseph
Ludolph.
"It's no secret we need some more hitting. Marquis
give us a .300 hitter to take some pressure of Mike
(Piazza). We had Rod Beck, who we can use in the
closer role, and Joseph is a good closer in his own
right. Troy was key to getting us this far, but you
dont get something for nothing." said Reese.
The trading wasnt done as Medina sent it's second
round 2002 Free Agent draft pick to Deadwood for
reliever Kirk Reuter.
"Deadwood saw Kirk as an extra body. We see Kirk as a
lefty out of the pen."
Finally, in a deal at least as big as the Pervical
deal, Medina sent superprospect pitcher Jeff Austin,
3B Mike Lowell, and their 1st round 2002 ammy pick to
Battle Axe for CF Jim Edmonds and 3B MAtt Williams.
"We really wanted Jim, "said Reese, " We knew he could
help our team, as he his a career .300+ hitter. Matt
has been struggling in Battle Axe, but we are more
hitter friendly here than there, as is evident in
Brian Giles jump 50 points in his batting average
since coming over from Battle Axe earlier in the
year."
Reese was asked why the sudden inrease in trading
activity.
"We are only 8 and a half games out, and there are 100
to play. You do the math."
