WhiteWings select Ryan Kottke with first pick in ULB draft

Published on January 29, 2007 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


HARLINGEN, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings selected catcher Ryan Kottke with the first pick in the 2007 United League Baseball draft, general manager Cory Dirksen and field manager Eddie Dennis announced Monday.

Kottke, 24, made an immediate impression on the Wings in the Texas Winter League. After six games, Kottke is hitting .333 (7-for-21) with three doubles, a league-leading six RBIs, five runs scored, and two walks. His on-base percentage is .391 and he's slugging .476 so far.

"I like his makeup as a hitter," Dennis said. "He will hit with some power and his hitting will do nothing but get better because he's very aggressive at the plate. Defensively, to me, I think he's a very good prospect. He's still only 24 and has a chance to get picked up by an organization. He's very coachable. He works hard and wants to get better. There's no doubt he will make the WhiteWings a better team in 2007."

Kottke becomes the first player signed from the inaugural season of the Texas Winter League, a month-long showcase tournament for unsigned players taking place at Harlingen Field.

The WhiteWings drew the first pick by finishing in last place in the inaugural 2006 season of the ULB. Amarillo will select second, followed by Laredo, San Angelo, Edinburg and champion Alexandria. Amarillo can make its selection at any time. There's no time limit for the selection, although the draft will be complete by Feb. 18 (the day after the Winter League playoffs end).

"Anytime you do something for the first time, you don't know what you'll get," said Amarillo Dillas manager Buddy Biancalana, a former major league shortstop with the Kansas City Royals who is assisting with the Winter League. "This was a pleasant surprise. We've already had one guy signed by a club. I expect to sign a player shortly and I expect many others will be signed as well. The talent level is pretty good. The weather is getting better and we'll see even better performances as the weather warms up. Overall, things are going very well."

Kottke, a native of Sterling Heights, Mich., also impressed the WhiteWings defensively with his game calling, ability to block pitches in the dirt, and his throwing arm. The 6-foot, 215-pounder is calling all the pitches in the Winter League games for the Wings.

"I like the way he's been calling games," Dennis said. "I'm not calling any pitches. I'm letting him do it. He's doing a good job. It shows. We're 4-2 and in first place. He's very durable. He's the type who can catch 200 games. He has a chance to make a real impact. Everybody wanted him. I'm glad he's ours."

The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings are one of six teams in the independent United League Baseball. The Wings open the season at home on Tuesday, March 8 against Amarillo. Other teams in the ULB are Laredo, San Angelo, Amarillo, Edinburg, and Alexandria, La. For more information, visit www.whitewingsbaseball.com

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United League Baseball Stories from January 29, 2007


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