02 November 2023- Hagerstown’s new professional team, the Flying Boxcars, are set to get their first two players following a draft to disperse the signing rights of players formerly on the Spire City Ghost Hounds of Frederick, Maryland. Earlier this year, Spire City announced it would go on hiatus for the 2024 season due to the league necessitating an even number of teams for scheduling purposes.
The draft was held today, with teams drafting for a total of four rounds. While the draft did go four rounds, that was only for a number of teams who still wanted the signing rights to players on Spire City. That means a number of teams began passing in the second, third, then finally fourth round.
First overall pick went to the team with nobody signed, the brand new Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. With their selection, Hagerstown picked outfielder Leobaldo Cabrera. Cabrera spent most of his time patrolling centerfield, slashing .294/.367/.571 with a hefty .938 OPS. In 526 plate appearances, Cabrera had 34 home runs and 27 doubles, placing second in the league for home runs and third for RBI’s with 100. He was also on the Ballpark Digest Mid-Season All-Star team.
In the second round, Hagerstown selected former MLB’er Max Povse. Povse was first drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in high school, but elected to play collegiate ball, where he would be drafted by the Atlanta Braves in his Junior year. Povse last year for Spire City was 3-3 with a 4.61 ERA, starting 8 games for the Ghost Hounds in 54.2 innings. Povse recorded a 1.52 WHIP while striking out 54 batters and giving up 8 home runs. The former Ghost Hound also made appearances for the Seattle Mariners as well as four Atlantic League teams.
Hagerstown is slated to start their season on the road next April, taking on the York Revolution in a four game series followed by a three game away series against the Lancaster Barnstormers. Their new ballpark gets christened with its first professional game on May 3rd as the Long Island Ducks come to town.
