4 to watch 4

1. Drew Pomeranz. The major league baseball draft starts Monday and the Ole Miss left-hander will go early. Both Baseball America and Sports Illustrated have him rated the No. 4 prospect in the draft. He’ll surely go top 10. The first Mississippian picked last year was Billy Hamilton, the ex-Taylorsville High shortstop, who went at No. 57. The only other Mississippi-connected players in Baseball America’s Top 200 are Madison Central outfielder Ryan Bolden (No. 141) and Richton shortstop Jacoby Jones (No. 166).
2. Van Pope. The ex-Terry High and Meridian Community College star, released by Atlanta a couple weeks ago after a failed move from third base to pitcher, will surely get another shot somewhere, perhaps in independent ball. Haven’t seen his name on any transactions list yet. Pope was once a top 10 prospect in the Braves’ system but seemed to hit a ceiling with the Double-A Mississippi Braves, even though he did get some Triple-A time. Never seen a better arm on a third baseman. If he could only hit a little better.
3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The former M-Braves catcher reportedly (see recent mlb.com story) is making progress in conquering his throwing woes at Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Texas system. Saltalamacchia had developed a severe case of what might best be called Steve Sax Syndrome (see Phil Taylor’s column in the June 7 Sports Illustrated); he was having great difficulty just tossing the ball back to the pitcher. When he was in Pearl — as Atlanta’s top-rated prospect — Saltalamacchia worked hard on his defense and was pretty good behind the plate. His struggles then were with the bat, though he did pick it up during his short-lived second stint here in 2007. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when the Rangers recall him to The Show. Very interesting.
4. Antoan Richardson. The M-Braves’ diminutive new outfielder could make a big difference for this team. He brings speed to center field and to the top of the lineup, something the club has not had. The Bahamas native is off to a great start: .367 with 11 hits in eight games, four runs scored and one steal in two tries. Manager Phillip Wellman loves to play aggressively on the bases and Richardson gives him a weapon to use in that regard. The first half has gotten away from the M-Braves, but they may be better equipped now for a second-half run.