Baseball draft ends with nepotism phase – Chicago Tribune

Baseball’s draft concluded on Wednesday with the now traditional “nepotism phase” in which teams select players related to some VIPs within the organization.

The Phillies chose Andrew Amaro, the nephew of general manager Ruben Amaro, in the 35^th round, after selecting him in 2011. The Angels picked Jonah DiPoto, son of general manager Jerry DiPoto, in the 38^th round.

And the White Sox chose Joseph Reinsdorf, grandson of Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, with the 40^th round pick.

There’s been no outcry to shorten the draft, but obviously they don’t need to select that many players if teams are making superfluous picks just to please some higher ups in the organization. It’s always good for job security when the head of the scouting department selects a relative of the owner or general manager, and since players selected that low seldom make it to the majors anyways, no harm, no foul.

The Sox’s pick brings to mind the 1993 draft when they chose left-handed pitcher Carey Schueler, the daughter of general manager Ron Schueler, in the 43^rd round. Like Joseph Reinsdorf, there was no intention of signing Carey Schueler, though she became the answer to a trivia question as the first woman ever drafted. Carey went on to play college basketball, starting at DePaul.

Two rounds later the Sox selected University of Alabama infielder Frank Menechino, who wound up playing seven seasons for the A’s and Blue Jays.

Musical chairs

The White Sox’s sweep of the Astros pulled them closer to the .500 mark as they begin a five-day trip on Friday to Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. The starting pitching is solid enough for the Sox to get into the AL Central race, though the hitting problems remain a mystery.

Two back-ups, centerfielder J.B. Shuck and catcher Geovany Soto, contirbuted to Wednesday’s win over the Astros.

Manager Robin Ventura said he was only giving Adam Eaton and Tyler Flowers a rest, but perhaps the Sox should consider giving Shuck and Soto more playing time. Soto is hitting .316 with a 1.104 OPS over his last eight games, while the left-handed hitting Shuck is batting .309 vs. right-handers with a .350 on-base percentage.

Ventura said Saturday that he’d consider moving Eaton out of the leadoff spot if Eaton continued to struggle, but he wasn’t ready to make that move yet. Eaton has batted leadoff all year and is hitting .233 with a .288 OBP, failing to get on base for Jose Abreu, their only real power threat the first two months.

Shuck went 2-for-3 with a double, atop of the lineup on Wednesday. Flowers has struggled all season as well, with a .202 average and .244 OBP. Soto may not be the player he was when he came up with the Cubs, but he’s come up with some big hits already and is a defensive upgrade over Flowers behind the plate.

Despite the Sox’s offensive woes, the only lineup move Ventura has made this year has been using Gordon Beckham at third of late over Conor Gillespie. Carlos Sanchez also replaced Micah Johnson at second, but only because Johnson was sent down to Triple-A Charlotte, a move that helped the Sox defense but hasn’t done much for the lineup.

Eaton and Flowers aren’t the only reasons the Sox have gotten off to a poor start, but they’ve had plenty of chances to break out and we’re nearing the middle of June. Maybe some bench time would shake the two out of their lethargy.

Bleacher creatures

At long last, Wrigley Field will be whole tonight when the Cubs open up the right field bleachers, basically completing the first phase of their renovation, though concessions will continue to be added in the bleachers through July. Pro golfer Fuzzy Zoeller will throw out a ceremonial first pick on Thursday for reasons only the Cubs know.

The Cubs have dubbed Friday “Country Day” in the bleachers and will provide fans an opportunity to play Cornhole in the right field porch, the area under the new video board, while a Joe Maddon bobblehead will be given away to the first 10,000 fans on Saturday.

It’s officially tourist season at Wrigley Field, which lasts from June through August. Plan accordingly.

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