HAGERSTOWN, MD News (11/2/2023) – The Hagerstown Flying Boxcars are gearing up for an exciting 2024 Atlantic League season, and they’ve started with a bang by securing top picks in the recent dispersal draft. With the Spire City Ghost Hounds taking a one-year hiatus from the league, the Flying Boxcars seized the opportunity to bring some high-caliber talent to their hometown team.
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In the first round of the dispersal draft, the Flying Boxcars had the first overall pick, and they didn’t hesitate to select outfielder Leobaldo Cabrera. Cabrera’s impressive 2023 season stats, including a .294 batting average, 34 home runs (second in the league), and 100 RBI (third in the league), made him an obvious choice. His remarkable performance earned him a spot on the 2023 Postseason All-Star team and the Ballpark Digest Mid-Season All-Star team.
Max Povse, a former MLB pitcher with experience across multiple teams, was Hagerstown’s second-round pick. Povse’s journey in professional baseball started when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after high school. However, he chose to play college ball before being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in his junior year. Povse’s extensive experience, including appearances with the Seattle Mariners and four different Atlantic League teams, adds valuable depth to the Flying Boxcars’ roster.
The Atlantic League’s dispersal draft saw other teams making notable picks. Lexington selected infielder Jose Marmolejos with the second pick, who boasted 28 home runs, 90 RBI, and a .303 batting average during the 2023 season. Staten Island secured outfielder Craig Dedelow as their third pick, a player who impressed with a .281 batting average, 26 home runs, 78 RBI, and an impressive 34 stolen bases.
Southern Maryland made catcher Raudy Read their selection after Charleston and Lancaster passed. Read’s 2023 performance included a .305 batting average, 20 home runs, and 53 RBI. Long Island drafted infielder Luke Becker with the seventh pick, a versatile player who hit .231 with 16 home runs and 41 RBI.
The Flying Boxcars’ 2024 season promises to bring fresh excitement to Hagerstown, as the team joins the North Division. The Atlantic League’s 2024 season will open on Thursday, April 25, with a 126-game schedule running through September 15. In addition to the Flying Boxcars’ arrival, there will be a realignment, with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs moving to the South Division.
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), entering its 26th season, continues to serve as a Major League Baseball partner league, providing a vital pathway for players to reach the majors while pioneering innovative approaches to the sport. Over the past 25 years, the league has sent more than 1,300 players to MLB organizations and entertained over 47 million fans in its family-friendly ballparks.
As fans eagerly await the 2024 season, the Flying Boxcars’ strong selections in the dispersal draft have set the stage for an exciting year of baseball in Hagerstown. The team’s commitment to securing top talent underscores their determination to make an impact in the league and provide fans with memorable moments on the field.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors.
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