Dispersal Draft Underway; Shipwrights Choose Potier in Round One

Portland Press Herald
November 25, 2019

NABL Commissioner Gordon's idea to create a more equitable arrangement of talent in baseball, the Talent Dispersal Draft, has now completed 10 rounds, and the Maine Shipwrights have used their first round (seventh overall) selection to acquire left-handed starting pitcher Gianni Potier.

Potier was an All-Star with the Montreal Hitmen in 2019 at age 24. He led the team last year in both wins (14) and strikeouts (173). He was introduced at a press conference in Portland on Monday.

"This is one of the premiere left-handed pitchers in the game today," Shipwrights GM Keith McBride stated. "And we see him improving and becoming simply dominant."

Potier was outspoken in his praise for the Maine franchise, and said he was pleased to be a member of the team. "I'm honored that I was Maine's first choice," he said. "And I look forward to taking a leadership role on the team."

The dispersal draft has been the source of some controversy in Maine and in other NABL markets. Shipwright fans were sad to see fan favorites like second baseman Robert Bowers (selected with the tenth overall pick in round one by the Savannah Sand Gnats) go to other teams. When asked about his personal feelings about the dispersal draft, Potier was honest and outspoken. "I'm in favor of it. Whether you love it or hate it, it certainly creates parity in baseball, and for a guy like me, who is driven to win a championship, it means we've got as good a chance as anyone."

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We all just hope that your uniforms include shirts, unlike your logo!

Bowers was No. 1 on my list.