From the Cape to the Majors: Boston Red Sox
draftee Anthony Ranaudo (Photo: LSU)
Further validating the crossover connection between the Cape Cod Baseball League and Major League Baseball, the Boston Red Sox selected three players with Cape League experience in this week’s first-year player draft.
Topping the list is former Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox hurler Anthony Ranaudo from LSU, who was taken 39th overall amid questions about his health and signability. Next came Texas righthander and ex-Wareham Gateman Brandon Workman at No. 57, and then Mathew Price from Virginia Tech and the Harwich Mariners at No. 263.
Looking at the connection from the other direction, it is illuminating to know that the Y-D Sox, to take one Cape club in isolation, celebrated the drafting of 22 of its players from 2008 and 2009. This list (below) is led by the No. 13 overall pick, by the Chicago White Sox, left-handed pitcher Chris Sale.
No. Overall – Club – Player – Pos – School
13 – White Sox – Chris Sale – LHP – Florida Gulf Coast
39 – Red Sox – Anthony Ranaudo – RHP – LSU
90 – Astros – Austin Wates – RF – Virginia Tech
97 – Cubs – Micah Gibbs – C – LSU
107 – Rockies – Josh Rutledge – SS – Alabama
147 – Pirates – Tyler Waldron – RHP – Oregon State
158 – White Sox – Andy Wilkins – 1B – Arkansas
182 – Mets – Greg Peavey – RHP – Oregon State
222 – Mariners – Mickey Wiswall – 1B – Boston College
249 – Brewers – Austin Ross – RHP – LSU
269 – Royals – Whit Merrifield – OF – South Carolina
280 – Cubs – Kevin Rhoderick – RHP – Oregon State
296 – Nationals – Blake Kelso – SS – Houston
312 – Mariners – Tyler Burgoon – RHP – Michigan
321 – Phillies – Mario Hollands – LHP – Univ. of California - Santa Barbara
337 – Reds – Drew Hayes – RHP – Vanderbilt
339 – Brewers – Greg Holle – RHP – Texas Christian
390 – Indians – Michael Goodnight – RHP – Houston
501 – Phillies – Craig Fritsch – RHP – Baylor
876 – Blue Jays – Jonathan Jones – RF – Cal State - Long Beach
922 – Dodgers – Shawn Tolleson – RHP – Baylor
1291 – Diamondbacks – Tom Belza – 2B – Oklahoma State
Whether or not these young men – and the dozens of others they played with by the sea – ultimately make the majors, they and their followers will forever know that they have what it takes to survive professional baseball’s first significant cut: namely, being offered the opportunity to turn pro at all. The next will come when they are bumped up to Double-A – but that’s another story, and one that can be followed regularly by reading the likes of Portland Sea Dogs Examiner Ken Main.
Meanwhile, congratulations to the entire Draft Class of 2010. May we see you at Fenway Park sometime soon.
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