Announcement
The Palm Beach League welcomed eight new players to four teams after open tryouts at Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach on Sunday, March 3.
The top pick was 24 year old Matt Zelgewicz, a West Palm Beach resident, who was chosen by the Create-Core Badgers, the only 18AAA team participating in the draft. Zelgewicz was impressive as a pitcher-infielder, showing ability with the bat as well as with the glove. He played college ball with Division II Georgia Perimeter after high school in Augusta, Georgia. He demonstrated a live fast ball and displayed a fine arm in infield drills. His best position when he is not on the mound is third base.
Rodolfo (Rudy) Plasencia, 34, and Brendyn Rojas,19, were both chosen by the 18AA Thunder, which will debut under veteran manager Mike Soulen. Plasencia was a youth league star in Miami and has a lot of Adult League experience in the South Florida Baseball League of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Rojas showed versatility, as an infielder and outfielder, and swung the bat well. Rojas now lives in West Palm Beach after growing up in the Miami area. .
The Expos added two pitchers to their 18AA squad when they chose 21-year old Magdiel Cortes of West Palm, and 35-year old Chad Webster, also of West Palm. Cortes played at Forest Hill High School., American Legion Post 12, and saw action with the NABA Palm Beach Pirates. They added a versatile veteran in Danny Means, a 46-year old with lots of Adult League experience, including a season with the Cheetahs last fall.
And, the Dodgers picked up two players in hard throwing pitcher Jedremy Badovick, who can play first base, third base, and outfield as well. Badovick has previous Palm Beach League experience. The Dodgers also claimed 20-year old infielder-outfielder, Leighton Davis, of Lake Park.
