The Deadwood Outlaws went into the 2001 Draft needing two things, infield
help and PITCHING, and it looks like they succeeded wonderfully. Here's a
capsule look at the 9 players taken over the four rounds of the draft:
ROUND 1:
15. 2B Carlos Lee..23...Will report to AAA, but look for the switch-hitting
Lee to be called up after the all star break to platoon with Frank
Catallanotto.
23. LHP Bobby Lucas...20...Like most young pitchers, needs to work on his
control. Is an odd breed, a knuckleball pitcher with a strong arm. Has a
chance to crack the rotation this season.
26. RHP Art Lance...21...Could make an immediate impact in the Outlaw's
bullpen. Lance has a very good fastball and a good Sinker.
SECOND ROUND
30. RHP Brian Storke...21...The second knuckleball pitcher taken by
Deadwood, and he's the second that has a really good arm. Will probably stay
in AAA for a year to work on his control.
46. RHP Rob Bloodworth...20...Great college pitcher, who pitched his Divison
II team to the playoffs three years in a row. Could be in the Deadwood
Rotation next season.
51. LHP Don Valentine...21...Needs some work, doesn't have a strike out
pitch yet, but could be a sleeper.
THIRD ROUND
79. RHP Cliff Walker...20...Could be in the Outlaw's bullpen by the end of
the week. Very good fastball.
82. LHP Skipper Smith...19...Probably a year or two away.
