(AP) WASHINGTON--While the WAshington Sea Dogs went into the draft with
neither a first nor second round pick, they managed to establish a
solid base for their future pitching rotation.
Washington drafted Pete Smith with the #75 overall pick in the draft,
and Randy Davis in the abbreviated fourth round.
"We're extremely excited to have two young arms of this capability in
the draft, especially considering we weren't sure we'd get anyone," Sea
Dogs GM Aaron Weiner said.
Weiner was unable to attend the draft due to prior considerations, but
Washington did send in a long enough list to draft two players.
"We were very excited that Pete Smith was available at our spot,"
Weiner said. "We had him rated in the top twenty pitchers in the
draft, so it was a very surprising event to see him there."
Smith is a 21-year old righthander, a graduate of Smith-Corona College
in Norman, West Virginia. He has been clocked at 92 on the radar gun,
and Weiner says that Smith was drafted mostly on this quality.
"We see him a lot like we saw Buddy Moisan a couple years ago, when we
traded for him," Weiner said. "He doesn't have the command Moisan had,
but he has a good curve and solid command of his other pitches. Our
main focus will be working on command of his curve to begin."
Smith says that he looks forward to working with the coaching staff and
the other pitchers at Towson.
"I've been waiting for this opportunity since I was a kid," Smith said.
"Working with a major-league coaching staff and guys like Guy Bradey
and Art Cliburn will be a big thrill for me."
Washington was equally happy about their fourth-round pick, 19-year old
righty Randy Davis. Weiner says that Davis, who attended Carlton
Junior Colllege, has astounding command for his age.
"He has immense use of his fastball, just amazing," Weiner said. "We
think that he could actually become a better pitcher than Smith, very
projectable."
Davis throws in the high 80s, and occasionally reaches 90 with his
fastball. Weiner thinks he could throw consistently in the low 90s
with work.
"We're confident of his ability to grow and change as he matures,"
Weiner says. "He's worked very hard to reach the point he has."
Davis says that he's a little surprised he was taken at all.
"Honestly, I figured that I'd be going to college," said Davis, who was
set to attend USC in the fall if he wasn't drafted. "They told me
they'd give me time to grow, and that's all I wanted."
Washington plans to try and grab some free-agent pitchers as well.
Washington stands at 44-21, fourth-best in the PVBL.
