June 9 , 2008

ASG Produces Another Stellar Draft Class

Antonio Jimenez (left) and Danny Ortiz (right)

All Star Group would like to congratulate its 2008 MLB Draft advisees for their selection. ASG was well represented in the draft with seven of its advisees selected, six in the top ten rounds.

The group was led by Minnesota Twins' fourth round pick Daniel Ortiz. Danny is a left-handed hitting outfielder who can play all three outfield positions, and who has a plus arm. Danny is probably the best pure hitter to come off the island of Puerto Rico in the last ten years. The Cayey, Puerto Rico native inked a deal worth close to $300,000.00 with the Twins and is expected to report to the team's Gulf Coast League affiliate at the end of the week.

Ortiz was followed by a couple of the top Junior College players in the country: pitcher Eric Fornataro of Miami-Dade College and outfielder Adam Milligan of Walters State JC, both of whom were selected in the sixth round.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Fornataro was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals and agreed to a deal worth just under $200,000.00. Fornataro features a heavy 90-94 mile per hour fastball, as well as a projectable curveball/slider mix, and a changeup. Fornataro is expected to be a starter in the Cardinals' system.

Milligan was the centerfielder for this year's top Junior College squad in the country, Walters State. At 6'2 220 lbs., Milligan has a sturdy frame and plus strength to go along with surprising speed (6.6 in the 60 yard dash) and agility. For the third year in a row Adam was drafted by the Atlanta Braves, only this time the team selected him in the sixth round. Adam is currently in negotiations with the Braves, as he has signed to attend Vanderbilt in the fall.

Shortstop Bengie Gonzalez, one of the top defensive infielders in the country, followed as the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the seventh round. Bengie, an Oklahoma State signee, agreed to terms with the Pirates on a deal worth $180,000.00, and is eager to step on the diamond with the GCL Pirates.

The ninth round saw two of ASG's own drafted as lefty Luis Cruz and catcher Antonio Jimenez were selected by the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively.

What the 5'8 Cruz lacks in height he makes up for in will and desire on the mound. Cruz throws an above average fastball, in the 88-92 mile per hour range, along with an above average breaking ball and changeup. Cruz is know for his bulldog mentality on the mound and the ability to pitch inside to both righties and lefties. Luis will be playing with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League.

Jimenez was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the country up until an elbow injury a month before the draft affected his stock. Both Perfect Game (61st) and Baseball America (200th) ranked the 6'1 175 lb catcher in their top prospect lists. Blessed with superb athleticism, a plus arm, and plus power and bat speed, many regard Jimenez as the top Puerto Rican catcher to come off the island since Yadier Molina, but with a physical frame similar to Javy Lopez.

Both Cruz and Jimenez signed contracts worth close to $200,000.00 and their signing bonuses were the equivalent of fifth rond money.

Rounding out the group is lefty Justin Walker of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Walker was one of the top pitchers in the Northwoods League last summer and was selected by the Cincinnati Reds. Justin features an 86-92 mph fastball and a solid changeup and slider. Justin recently came to terms with the Reds and will be reporting to Sarasota, Florida in a few days.

ASG would like to congratulate these young men and their families for allowing us to share in their draft journey. We hope that we will continue to help them on their path to the Major Leagues.

NOTE: Monetary figures above include both signing bonus and college scholarship plan.