2023 Draft:

Mikey Tepper: Tepper transferred in to Liberty from Mississippi State after a rough start to his career.  He got off to a shaky start to the 2023 season but was probably the Flames most reliable pitcher the last month of the season.  He and Coach Williams were able to work together to really harness his command and show what he could do.  Once he wasn't selected in the first 10 rounds it looked like the Flames would have a really good shot to keep Tepper.  However, the Nationals selected him in the 15th round and offered $150,000 signing bonus which appears to be the same that they signed picks 12- 17 for per MLB.com.  The draft has really changed with it being cut down to 20 rounds and the allotment of pool money.  They had to go well over slot value with several of their early picks but selected several College seniors in picks 6-10 that have no leverage and only signed for $20,000 each.  Tepper ended up getting a pretty good bonus at that point in the draft which tells you the Nats saw what he could be the last month of the season.  It's a tough blow for the Flames who need a RH starter to compliment Horn, Cooper & Moran.  I would have loved to have seen him come back for 1 more run as I think he could have easily been a top 2 or 3 round guy and made a lot more money plus his presence would have made a huge impact on the Flames 24 season.  

Keegan Zinn - Zinn was a late verbal to the Flames once they hired Tyler Robinson from Campbell to take the pitching coach job which was vacated when Matt Williams left for South Carolina for the same position.  Zinn is a wiry RHP from Lake Minneola High School in Florida.  He was drafted in the 12th round by the Guardians and also signed for $150,000.  

It wasn't all bad news for the Flames as HS Signee Tanner Marsh made it through the draft despite some flirtations from several MLB clubs.  Veteran RHP Trey Carter also was not selected and will be back with the Flames for his "Super Senior" year.  Not 100% sure but I believe Cam Foster pulled himself from draft consideration to try to bolster his stock with another strong year at Liberty.  Foster has put up a solid showing with the Bourne Braves on the Cape this summer.  

So, the roster is always in flux at the time of the draft but even more so than normal this year with the change at pitching coach, several signees that were open to being drafted and had the talent plus 3 active roster guys that all had the potential.  Going into the draft I would have predicted the Flames would have lost Carter but retained Tepper & Zinn and it ended being the exact opposite.  

Notes: Garrett Horn left the Cape early to stay fresh for the upcoming season at Liberty.  No injury there as several have asked.  Also, I've seen Horn listed in the top 100 picks for several draft publications for next year.  He will undoubtedly be the Flames best shot at a top 100 in quite some time.  

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