March 24, 2006

Centerfielders dominated the first round of the 2006 Draft. Three CF's were chosen in the first four picks and four were chosen overall in the first round. Maybe more surprising, only one pitcher was chosen in the first round and not until the 13th pick.

Jon Lovitz, the Director of the National Scouting Bureau, was surprised at how the first round played out, "This is totally unexpected. I felt that at least half of the first 16 picks would be pitchers. Whether teams overlooked the quality of the pitchers or picked solely on the best player available and not on need, could be reasons for the the way the first round fell."

CF Laura Breckenridge was the first overall pick by the St. Louis Unicorns. The 22 year old from Flourtown, PA, is a great all around player, with a rare mix of power and speed. She could become a factor for the Unicorns right away.

3B Michelle Wie was chosen second by the Phoenix Firebirds. She, too, is long ball hitter. The 16 year old has the potential to be a .300, 30-30 hitter someday. But what really stands out is her fielding ability - a potential Gold Glover with a cannon of an arm. Some have rated her arm as the best they have ever seen at third base.

The first round by position: C (3), 1B (3), 2B (0), 3B (1), SS (3), LF (0), CF (4), RF (1), and P (1).

2006 First Round Picks:

1. St. Louis: CF Laura Breckenridge
2. Phoenix: 3B Michelle Wie
3. Detroit: CF Vanessa Minnillo
4. Boston: CF Tila Nguyen
5. Miami Beach: SS Mackenzie Rosman
6. Dallas: 1B Mallory Snyder
7. Sacramento: 1B Kirsten Storms
8. Los Angeles: RF Hayden Panettiere
9. Colorado: C Jessica White
10. Texas: C Brie Larson
11. Baltimore: CF Moon Bloodgood
12. New York: SS Yvonne Zima
13. Chicago: P Brenda Song
14. Seattle: C Melody Thornton
15. Philadelphia: 1B Angel Carter
16. Atlanta: SS Camilla Belle

"This will add to the excitement the VBL brings to its fans," said Commissioner Tom Hanks. "Now they will get a chance to see even more stars in action."

"Attendance has been good overall for almost every team," Hanks did go on to say. "Inter-League Play, though good for attendance, is purely a response to our fans' overwhelming desire to see all the stars."