12/09/2010 11:58 AM Article By:
Cape League alumni numbers 250 in 2010 MLB draft
Nine chosen in Opening Round
By Ashley Crosby
CCBL Writer
The Cape League posted some impressive figures in 2010, not the least of which was the number of alumni players selected in the Major League Baseball draft last June: an astounding one in every four college players drafted performed on the Cape between 2007-10.
“The fact we have such a high percentage of players that have been or become drafted is a real tribute to all the hard work that so many people do on Cape Cod,” said Commissioner Paul Galop. “We are so proud that we have been able to offer a unique opportunity to the finest collegiate baseball players nationally with a successful track record of furthering their careers through the draft.”
Nine of the 250 total selected players went in the first and supplemental round, with Matthew Harvey (UNC Chapel Hill), a 2008-09 alum being the first selected, at number seven overall by the New York Mets.
Also going in the first round were Brewster’s 2008 Yasmani Grandal (Miami) as the number 12 overall pick to Cincinatti; YD’s highly-touted 2009 southpaw hurler Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast), who as the number 13 overall pick went to the Chicago White Sox; Bourne’s Alex Wimmers (Ohio State), a 2009 alum, at number 21 to Minnesota; 2008/2009 Orleans’ outfielder Gary Brown (CS Fullerton) was selected by the World Series Champion Giants as the number 24 pick; and Cotuit’s 2009 All Star West MVP Zack Cox (Arkansas) going to St. Louis as the number 25 pick.
Media darling Anthony Ranaudo (LSU) of Brewster was selected 39th overall by the Boston Red Sox; the right-hander had a standout season in 2010, accumulating 31 strikeouts and maintaining a 0.00 ERA in his 29.2 innings pitched for the Whitecaps.
“This is the place a motivated student-athlete wants to be in the summer time to enhance their chances of moving on to the next level,” said Galop. “We are repeatedly referred to as the premier summer collegiate baseball league in the nation. This encourages the scouts and scouting directors to spend a lot of time here which, in turn, assists in drawing the finest players here.”
The Cape League has been a major draw for scouts, partly because of the talent, and also the close proximity of the fields. Last summer, the league traveled to Fenway Park for a workout in front of Major League scouts, further broadening players’ exposure.
“The talent and quality of our product that is on the field is exceptional, and the opportunity that we provide to these high-profile student-athletes is second to none,” continued Galop. “The fact that they are here encourages the scouting bureaus to come out in full force to see how these players can perform with wood bats.”
Over the past several years, the number of Cape League players who have gone on to play in the major leagues has grown upwards of 200 at any given time. In 2004, there were 197 alumni listed on MLB rosters. By 2009, that number had grown to 217. Each year, the numbers continue to rise.
Galop said, “It's definitely very satisfying to see the players continued success and it means so much to the folks here on Cape Cod who helped the players along the way. We are all very proud of this opportunity that we can provide. There is nothing quite like the feeling when you see one of your former players make their first appearance in a major league ball park.”
