July 1, 1909 – by Ronald Schmidt
The 1909 draft is over, and the Brewers faithful look at the results with mixed feelings. Last season’s draft left a bitter taste after two first-round picks left unsatisfying results. Philadelphia always stared at the draft with suspicion. Successful seasons meant lower positions in the draft order. But this season would be different.
Unlike 1908, Philadelphia would pick seventh, not tenth. Currently, the chances are good that the Brewers will gather talent in the bottom half of the order next season, so 1909 would be the year.
Although the front office didn’t comment on the draft strategy, it was no surprise that the Brewers would look into a pitcher, a catcher, and a shortstop before anything else.
Many ballclubs tried to rob Providence of their golden draft pick. Even Philadelphia half-heartedly submitted a trade offer but, knowing how valuable it was, didn’t pursue it any further after the Angels declined. Unsurprisingly, the Angels selected starting pitcher Everette Lee as their next elite starter. The Doves drafted catcher Avery Bell, the prime catching target for the Philadelphia Brewers. Luckily, the other four teams drafting before the Brewers had other priorities.
1st Round – 7th Overall: SP Troy Duerden
Duerden, a 21-year-old who spent the past three years at Detroit College studying mathematics, remained in the shadows of Lee. 1908 ranked him third in the Pitcher of the Year rankings, and with a better team, his 1.27 ERA could have led to more than a 9-9 record. Duerden’s last season could have been more successful. Especially the last three games ruined a lot. On April 15, 1909, he was 6-6 with a 1.74 ERA. The following three games ruined his stats, and he finished the season with a 2.28 ERA and two more losses.
Along with Mearl Sexton and possibly Elvin Outhwaite, Duerden will slowly infiltrate the Brewers rotation.
2nd Round – 22nd Overall: C Chester Walker
Another transition will happen with Philadelphia’s catchers. Frank Stilgoe is 36 and is of great value as the team captain. Charles Ayscue is 33 and currently the primary catcher. Joseph Vennard in AAA could step up any time, but Philadelphia wanted a better alternative. Chester Walker combines solid defense with explosive power with the bat.
Signing Walker came with a risk. Walker wasn’t the starting catcher for Santa Ana College. The Mad Dogs’ everyday catcher was Avery Bell, who joined the Doves as the third overall pick.
3rd Round – 38th Overall: 3B Quentin Shenley
Since Paul Butler shoved Moriarty Stapleton to AAA and ultimately into free agency, third base became a hotspot for competition. Currently, Cletus Stanbridge and Paul Butler battle it out in Boeselager Stadium. In the meantime, the minor league teams need more quality for that position.
Shenley can play third base, second base, and has little experience as a shortstop.
Other Rounds
4th Round – 54th Overall: P Robert Hilton
Hilton joined the Brewers’ minor league system to strengthen the pitching situation. Duerden will immediately move to AAA, leaving Allenton with the same desperate pitching problems as before the draft. Hilton will have to work hard to have a shot at the majors, but his bonus is his left arm. Duerden, Sexton, and Outhwaite are all righties.
7th Round – 102nd Overall: 1B Rex Stimpson
First base is one of the positions that doesn’t cause headaches. The Brewers are well-prepared. The current starting first baseman is 23-year-old Milan Featherstone. Graham Thirkettle is patiently waiting in Langhorn for his chance. Leo McKenzie and other players could easily step in if both youngsters are out.
But nobody is picky in round seven. Rex Stimpson was one of the better players available. Enormous power won him a Silver Slugger Award in his first season with Santa Ana, and then he became a bench player.
Conclusion
The Philadelphia Brewers only reached some goals. The minor league rotations can handle any hurdle in 1910 or even the remainder of the current season. A strong catcher prospect will hopefully replace Frank Stilgoe in a few years, but the Brewers missed out on one crucial position: shortstop.
Caesar Scott is 37 years old, and it is hard to predict when age will take its toll. Philadelphia eyed Calvin Turner for their second-round pick. Turner was the player closest to Scott’s glove, but he landed in Cleveland – just three picks out of reach for the Brewers.
Still, 1909 was a much better draft year than 1908, when they received the Athletics’ first-round pick in the Scott-Johnson trade.