Mid-West Baseball League Commissioner’s Office – Report submitted by Chris DeMecurio – Corktown Cycle. – July 14th, 2024

The rules are simple. I selected a player to draft with each pick in the 1st round of the 2017 MWBL Draft from the players that were selected somewhere in that draft. Minor league players had to make it up by the end of the 2019 season or it would be a waste of a pick no matter how good they were. Remember, it’s impossible to know what each owner would have done with a chance to re-draft, so I did my best to mix the player’s actual MLB career with their MWBL career and remaining potential. Let’s keep in mind this was for fun. With that said, go ahead and share your thoughts, and rip on some of my re-draft picks, but more importantly feel free to call out owners for their actual picks. 

I like to start with players who were drafted but did not make it up in time.  This draft didn’t have any real big names. A few big-time prospects that didn’t make it up in time nor develop into anything.   These guys all had to make it up before COVID-19, so the end of the 2019 season.  No bonus babies or extra COVID season yet. The toughest cut for me was P Mike Soroka.   He is still 25 years old, and I was very scared of what I have watched in 2024.  Unless I missed somebody else, there won’t be any controversy whatsoever.  

Rd 2 #31 Braxton Garrett – P MIA – Southbend Lynx
Rd 2 #35 Leody Taveras – OF TEX – Corktown Cycle
Rd 6 #147 Joshua Lowe – OF TB – Corktown Cycle
Rd 7 #172 Hunter Greene – P CIN – Chicago Mobsters

Continue reading →

With the first pick in the 2024 Mid-West Baseball League Draft, the Dallas Cougars select from the University of Wake Forrest – left-handed-hitting first baseman Nick Kurtz.

Throughout the off-season, Dallas’s management was indecisive between two players, ultimately determining that Kurtz possesses superior power and talent. Kurtz showcases exceptional power across all fields, a testament to his rapid bat speed, robust strength, and left-handed swing tailored for lofting the ball. He is much more than a mere power hitter; Kurtz stands out as a well-rounded batter who dominates both left and right-handed pitching without any glaring weaknesses. His proficiency extends to all pitch types, he exhibits excellent command of the strike zone, and he consistently makes authoritative contact across the entirety of the field.

Defensively, Kurtz is adept at playing first base and boasts arm strength that meets the standards. The primary drawbacks in his game are his less-than-ideal speed—which is not critical given his role and offensive contributions—and a history of injuries, including a broken rib that sidelined him from the final stages of the 2023 College World Series. Should he live up to the expectations set by scouts, Kurtz has the potential to emulate Jim Thome‘s impact, coupled with defensive merit.

FROM THE MWBL SCOUTING BUREAU: NICK KURTZ

• Offensive Profile: Kurtz is a complete hitter with no discernible weakness. He possesses exceptional bat speed, strength, and a left-handed stroke designed to drive balls in the air. He controls the strike zone, covers the entire plate, and hits the ball with authority all over the ballpark.
• Power: Kurtz’s signature tool is his well-above-average power to all fields. He has double-plus raw power and ranks among college baseball’s elite in terms of average exit velocity and 90th percentile exit velocity.
• Defensive Versatility: Kurtz is a solid defender at first base with average arm strength. Some scouts believe he could even play in the outfield at the professional level due to his all-around athleticism.
• Overall Summary:  Kurtz is a potential superstar with a rare combination of power, hitting ability, and defensive versatility. He has the potential to be a force in a big-league lineup and could anchor a team’s offense for years to come.
• Risk/Reward Profile:  Kurtz has a high ceiling but also carries some risk due to his injury history and below-average speed. However, his offensive upside is so significant that he is worth the risk for any team looking to add a middle-of-the-order slugger.
• ETA to the Mid-West Baseball League:   Kurtz is eligible for the 2024 MLB Draft and is expected to be one of the top overall picks. If he continues to produce at a high level in his junior season at Wake Forest, he could be ready to make his MWBL debut in 2026 or 2027.

The 2024 Mid-West Baseball League Draft is now Scheduled for Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET.

The 2024 MWBL Draft Order has now been posted (Including the adjusted lottery Order), – 336 Picks are available in the 12 Rounds.

New this year First Pick will be at the time of 10:15 AM ET.    Please be advised of this change.

Due to circumstances beyond the control of the MWBL Commissioner’s Office, Draft Day has been moved to a week earlier than originally planned based on an MLB work weekend scheduled for the MWBL Commissioner.

Mid-West Baseball League Commissioner’s Office – Report submitted by Chris DeMecurio – Corktown Cycle. – July 9th, 2023

The rules are simple. I selected a player to draft with each pick in the 1st round of the 2016 MWBL Draft from the players that were selected somewhere in that draft. Minor league players had to make it up by the end of the 2018 season or it would be a waste of a pick no matter how good they were. Remember, it’s impossible to know what each owner would have done with a chance to re-draft, so I did my best to mix the player’s actual MLB career with their MWBL career and remaining potential. Let’s keep in mind this was for fun. With that said, go ahead and share your thoughts, and rip on some of my re-draft picks, but more importantly feel free to call out owners for their actual picks. 

2016 was the first year I entered the MWBL. After a couple of years of Stray building it up, I thought I understood the hype of the draft. As you all know, there is nothing that can prepare you for how fast it moves. My only goal was to make sure I wasn’t on Stacy’s bad side. (She truly is the best) 2016 was by far the draft I prepared the most for. I could tell you what some of these players’ favorite video games were and what they had for breakfast on a daily basis. Spent hours sliding names up and down the draft board. My first overall pick turned out to be a bust, but at least I was able to walk away with 1 or 2 picks I can stomach today. When I took over this franchise I told Stray I’d be competing for a World Series within 5 years. It is now year 8, and I made the playoffs for the first time last season! There are many ways to skin a cat, and you absolutely can do it through the draft. Very fun, but don’t let anyone tell you it’s easy. Continue reading →

The 2023 Mid-West Baseball League Draft is Scheduled for Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ET.

The 2023 MWBL Draft Order has now been posted (Including the adjusted lottery Order), – 336 Picks are available in the 12 Rounds.

Again this year will be the start time of 10:45 AM ET to allow the West Coast Franchise Owners a few extra minutes of sleep.  

Please be advised that with this start time, the 2023 MWBL Draft will conclude later in the day for the East Coast Contingent, so please adjust your plans accordingly.