Gomes tabbed with #1 pick

Sante Fe used the top overall pick on 20-year old left hander Nick Gomes. Gomes, a bit short at 5'10, is reported to have "filthy" stuff. Gomes fastball has been clocked as high as 94 mph. He also throws a slider that makes left-handed batters cry.

So where does Gomes come from? He hails from Bridgeport, CT. PT Barnum was once the mayor of Bridgeport and Gomes is a fan. In fact, he had to head out west after his own 3-ring circus, established at famous Mount Trashmore, nearly interupted the filming of "Confessions of a Shopaholic", scheduled for release later this year. Allegedly, three dwarf elephants escaped from the circus and stampeded through town, almost trampling Joan Cusak before John Goodman invited them for dinner and the filming was saved.

Civic outrage and a since-dismissed lawsuit prompted Gomes to leave Bridgeport for the warmer climate and co-eds of Bergen Community College.

Blues sign #1 overall pick Herrera

The Kansas City Blues tabbed Lamar Community College sophomore Jared Herrera with the #1 overall pick. Herrera, a 5'9 right-hander quickly signed a $4,000,000 contract. He profiles as a workhorse, capable of working 230 IP a season once he reaches the big leagues. The diminutive hurler features two solid pitches in his fastball and curveball which is especially tough on righties.

Jared Herrera Kansas City Blues Age: 20 B/T: R/R Born: Eads, CO Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Some scouts question whether such a small RHP can become a true ace. "How many 5'9 pitchers can you find in the league? The ones you do find are relievers," said one unnamed scout. Herrera scoffs at such criticisms. "My high school teammates used to make fun of my height when we went apple picking too, but how many of them got to attend community college?"

Herrera's hometown of Eads is going batty over his selection. Eads has a population of just 747 and until now was most famous for being the county seat of Kiowa County. The county tried to quickly enact an income tax so it could double it's operating budget with its take of the signing bonus. But, Herrera signed quickly and the measure hadn't yet made it out of committee where it was stalled due to Duane "Dog" Chapman being out of town filming the bounty hunter.

Tanaka to Memphis with #1 pick

Jin-Chi Tanaka was chosen with the top overall selection in the Season 9 draft by the Memphis Shores. Tanaka, a high school pitcher with a nasty curveball has a high ceiling, but a long way to go to reach his potential according to Shores scouting director E.H. Crump III. "Jin-Chi is still learning the American game, but he's got an easy arm-action, a big 12-6 curveball, and ability throw deep in games." Tanaka is also an excellent athelete, playing 3B for his high school team in Northborough, MA when he didn't pitch.

Tanaka was born in Honolulu Hawaii. His father, former (and sometimes current) AWA and WWF wrestler Pat Tanaka. You may remember Tanaka as one half two famous tag teams. First, Badd Company (with Paul Diamond) in the AWA and later as one half of the Orient Express, managed by Mr. Fuji. The team is best remembered for losing to Hacksaw Jim Dugan and Nikolai Volkoff in Summer Slam 1990.

Jin-Chi moved from Hawaii to Mempis just before starting school. The stay in Memphis was a brief one, but Jin-Chi has fond memories of the city from the late 1980's. "I'm excited to go back to Memphis, I remember it as a beatiful city with great BBQ." A few years later, the family moved to Northborough, MA. Northborough is located in central Massachusetts, just North of Westbourough but just west of Southborough (crazy Massachusettsians).

Coincidently, Northbourough's most famous resident is former Detroit Tiger pitcher, Mark "the Bird" Fidrych. The Bird, a 10th round pick, famously threw 7 no-hit innings in his major league debut, winning a 2-hitter. He would win 19 games, post a 2.34 ERA, win the rookie of the year, and finish 2nd in Cy Young voting in 1976. Fidrych's season including back-to-back 11 inning complete games. Perhaps due to the overwork, the Bird was injured in the 1977 season, attempted several comebacks, but never was a force again, retiring in 1981. He was not diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff until 1985. After going 19-9 in 29 starts in 1976, Fidrych made just 27 more starts going 10-10.

The Shores can only hope that Tanaka avoides the pitfalls that befell the last Northborough resident to burst onto the baseball scene. Tanaka has not yet signed and is represented by Ernest Norton.

Harmonies break the bank

B.J. Greene Nashville Harmonies Age: 21 B/T: R/R Born: Terre Hill, PA Position(s): P (SP4) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Nashville Harmonies broke the bank in signing first-round draft pick B.J. Greene. Greene, a pitcher out of Rutgers selected with the 15th overall pick, inked a deal with a $10,075,000 signing bonus. Only one draftee has signed for more money in the history of Second City. In season 4, Cincinnati signed #5 overall pick, 2B Manny Corey, to a $16M deal. Corey debuted last season, winning the AL 2B Silver Slugger after hitting .276 with 26 HRs and 109 RBIs. He also stole 66 bases.

Greene, 6'2 right-hander features a heavy slider and solid curveball which he used to go 13-2 for Rutgers in the Big East. Harmonie scouting director Lil E' said, "we know $10M is a lot of dough, but this is a polished college pitcher. We see him moving quickly, possibly contributing to the Harmonie rotation in the next 2 years."

Greene, who represented himself in negotiations, said a childhood spent playing cards with his older brother helped his poker face. "Would I have signed for less? Who's to say? All I know is that I didn't. Ray Rice only wishes he could ink this kind of deal."