Jim Goulart

Flagler baseball makes program history with three draft picks By DANNY KLEIN, staugustine.com After a fitful night of sleep, Flagler College baseball player Jonathan Armold finally surrendered at 7 on Wednesday morning. His solution? Play a round of golf at Royal St. Augustine while one of the biggest days of his life unfolded. Teammate John Sgromolo had no such luck. From the moment the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft began on Monday, he sat in front of his computer watching each name appear on screen. Initially, he was simply interested in watching players he knew get picked by teams. On Wednesday, that curiosity slowed started to creep toward panic. Somewhere in between, Garrett Bush grabbed some lunch and tried to take his mind off baseball. By the time the day ended, the trio had taken three very different paths to a piece of program history. “I could barely sleep last night,” Armold said. “I couldn’t stop thinking about today.” Bush, Armold and Sgromolo were each selected on Wednesday, which was the first time three players from Flagler have even been picked in the draft. Bush, a 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher who was actually drafted for the third time in his career, went in the 24th round (747th overall) to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Armold, a 23-year-old right-hander went in the 30th round (935th overall) to the Milwaukee Brewers. And lastly, Sgromolo, a first baseman, was picked in the 37th round (1,136th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers. “It’s neat,” Flagler baseball coach Dave Barnett said. “That’s probably every kid’s dream to have a chance to play professional baseball. So it’s nice to see kids who worked hard get the opportunity they deserve.” Flagler hasn’t had multiple players drafted since 1995 when Jim Woodrow went in the fifth round and Gary Santoro was picked in the 29th. This year’s crop was part of a 27-22 team that went 13-17 in the Peach Belt Conference. Armold, 23, was a four-year starter who won 16 games in his career and posted a 4.25 ERA. He also holds the school record with 51 starts. He’s a crafty pitcher, who throws in the upper 80s and with his age, will be one of the older players when he arrives at camp. “This whole process was pretty new to me,” said Armold, who went 5-5 this past season. “I didn’t know when I would go or if I would go at all.” He said the Brewers had expressed some interest and let him know there was a chance. Armold received the phone call from the organization shortly after being drafted and was alerted to stay ready. He’ll likely either head to Arizona or Montana to play rookie ball.

40th round C Chucky Vazquez is a Florida International University recruit / oral commitment. No word on whether he may be enticed...

Three Harvard Baseball Players Selected in MLB Draft, Suter by Brewers By Scott A. Sherman, CRIMSON STAFF WRITER The Harvard baseball team’s 2012 regular season did not go well—the squad finished 10-32—but the Crimson’s fortunes have changed considerably since the year came to an end. First, there was the viral “Call Me Maybe” YouTube video, which put the team in the national spotlight and has been viewed nearly 12 million times. Then, on Wednesday, a trio of Harvard standouts was selected on the third and final day of the MLB Draft. First, the Milwaukee Brewers selected starting pitcher Brent Suter ’12 in the 31st round as the 965th pick overall. “It was definitely a nerve-racking day,” Suter said. “I kept on waiting and waiting; when it finally happened there was just a sense of relief and a ton of excitement and a lot of happiness. You can’t beat it.” Five picks later, rising junior captain Andrew Ferreira was chosen by the Minnesota Twins as the second selection in the 32nd round. And in the 38th round—just two before the draft came to a close—the New York Mets took infielder Jeff Reynolds ’12 with the 1,160th overall selection. This year marked the first time since 1993 and only the second time in Harvard baseball history that three Crimson players were chosen in the same draft. Before Wednesday, only three total Harvard players had been selected in the past five years—most recently starting pitcher Max Pearlman ’11, who was taken in the 35th round by the Oakland A’s last season and reached AAA before the year was up. Suter, a left-handed starter, led the Crimson with 53.2 innings pitched during the 2012 campaign, finishing with a 4.36 ERA and team-high 45 strikeouts. Getting drafted by the Brewers means that as the Cincinnati, Ohio, native moves through the minors, he will have the chance to play relatively close to home. “I really admire their organization,” he said. “They have a very good minor league system, so I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully I’ll have some success there, and we’ll just see what happens.” On the whole, the Crimson’s three 2012 selections tied it with Yale for the most of any Ancient Eight school. “I’m so happy for my other teammates,” Suter added. “There’s no words to describe this. It’s a dream come true.” Photo by Emily C. Wong Left-handed pitcher Brent Suter '12 was one of three Harvard baseball players selected in this year's MLB Draft. Only in one other year (1993) have three Crimson ballplayers been taken in the same draft. http://www.thecrimson.com/media/photos/2012/06/07/012604_1277801_630x420.jpg

Barnegat pitcher McCoy, drafted in 26th round by Brewers, says no to Atlanta Braves in 7th round, will go to Wake Forest By HANNAH BITZER, For The Press of Atlantic City Barnegat High School pitcher Mark McCoy was offered $142,000 on Tuesday to play professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves. He said no. The senior left-hander turned down offers from two teams in the first 10 rounds of the Major League Baseball draft and eventually fell to the 26th round, where the Milwaukee Brewers picked him Wednesday even though he said he plans to attend Wake Forest University on a full scholarship. The Braves wanted to draft McCoy in the seventh round. After he told them he would not sign for that amount, they passed. Later Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels called and offered him $123,000 to be drafted in the ninth round. McCoy said no again. "In the later rounds, I felt the $142,000 was not enough to throw away a Wake Forest education," he said in a phone interview Wednesday. McCoy spent much of Tuesday afternoon sitting around his television with family, friends and coaches, hoping his name would be called in the fifth round or sooner. When that didn't happen, his decision to play for Wake Forest was easy. "I will be able to develop as a baseball player and a man," McCoy said. "In three years, I may be drafted higher, possibly the first round." McCoy eventually was selected by the Brewers as the 815th pick. But at that point, the 18-year-old's mind was made up to play Division I baseball in the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. McCoy, a 6-foot-3, 185-pounder, went 4-3 with a 0.97 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 50 innings this season as Barnegat went 12-11 and reached the South Jersey Group II quarterfinals, winning a playoff game for the first time in school history. In the months leading up to the draft, McCoy talked with various major-league teams, including the Royals, Reds, Angels, Rockies and Orioles. He described the draft as a "win-win situation" for him: He would either be in the starting rotation at Wake Forest or get a big contract and go to the minors. "Yes, you are a little disappointed when you don't get picked." McCoy said. "But I'll have another chance to be drafted in three years." Baseball players who play in college are not eligible for the draft again until after their junior seasons. McCoy didn't want to sign a contract that paid less money than the four-year total of his scholarship, but he was willing to pass on college if a team offered the right amount. Dan McCoy, Mark's father, coach and advisor, walked in the door Wednesday afternoon and was told that his son had just been drafted by the Brewers. "I was confused," the elder McCoy said in a phone interview. "I thought at that point, everyone knew we weren't going to sign." But major-league teams often take chances with lower draft picks in case a player changes his mind about signing or the team ends up being able to offer more money. Dan McCoy supported his son 100 percent but said the draft process was an emotional rollercoaster. "It's never over until you hear your kid's name called," the father said. "People tell you that you need to enjoy this unique experience, and I did during the beginning, but at the end, it got stressful." McCoy will play in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League this summer in Maryland before heading to Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C., in the fall. Dan McCoy said he's happy with Mark's decision to play in the ACC, which placed seven teams in the 64-team NCAA tournament this season. Wake Forest finished 34-24 this season but did not make the tournament. "I don't think the value of being a 26th-round draft pick is more than the value of playing college baseball," Dan McCoy said. "He will play in front of 4,000 people that will be yelling at him. It'll get him ready for the next part of his baseball career." Barnegat High School pitcher Mark McCoy, left, talks with his coach and father, Dan McCoy, at practice Thursday. McCoy has committed to Wake Forest Unviersity but may have the option to turn pro instead this summer. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/pressofatlanticcity.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/55/655833e2-851e-11e1-a213-0019bb2963f4/4f87a730c529f.preview-300.jpg VIDEO: Mark McCoy of Barnegat strikes out nine and allows two hits in six innings as Barnegat beats Toms River North 2-1 in the first round of the Ocean County baseball tournament on 5/5/2012

Rodriguez one of four Terps taken Maryland shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez, who started all of the team’s last 177 games, was the first Terp off the board when he went in the 17th round to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers selected the Oak Hill, Va., native in the 32nd round a year ago, but Rodriguez decided to return to school and be a key leader in the Terps’ turnaround. “I stayed in touch with them over the offseason, and I was still talking to them leading up to the draft,” Rodriguez said. “They gave me a shot in the 17th round.” The decision to come back to the Terps last year was tough, Rodriguez said, but it paid off in the end, as he was able to hone his skills both on and off the field as a member of the Terps’ leadership council. “He’s got the ‘it’ factor, and however you define it, he’s got ‘it,’” Bakich said in early May. “He’s just one of those guys that you know is going to be successful in baseball.”

Huntsville falls four back with ten to play, as the Mariners' Jackson club won.

Rattler Radio Blog -- Nine after 9 includes video highlights

Look for a David Goforth video interview as part of the Post-Crescent's Rattlers coverage at the link. *** Wisconsin Timber Rattlers feeling at home again with win against Clinton Goforth strong on mound in Wisconsin win by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — Welcome home parties are supposed to be fun and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers didn’t waste their first Grand Chute gig in nearly two weeks. Returning from a four-city, 13-game road trip, the Timber Rattlers opened a six-game home stand with a sharp all-around performance Wednesday night in a 6-4 Midwest League win over the Clinton LumberKings. Wisconsin (36-22) outhit Clinton 9-7, played error-free ball and received a strong outing from starter David Goforth. Goforth, ranked by Baseball America as the Milwaukee Brewers’ 17th-best prospect, allowed just one hit in five shutout innings to raise his season record to 5-4. “We played well in all phases of the game and it was just nice being home again because 13 days is a long time,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “You don’t know how long it is until you visit four different cities. We had a good crowd and there was a lot of energy.” Goforth allowed only four base runners and was never in trouble, but insisted he didn’t have his best stuff. “To be honest, I would have liked to have a little better fastball command,” said Goforth. “I feel like I got by on a couple mistakes tonight. But my curveball was working good and my change-up was working well at the end.” Goforth had struggled in his previous start, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings. “Goforth set the tone tonight for a good team performance,” Erickson said. “He struggled a little early with his command, but regrouped and got hitters out.” Goforth threw 4 1/3 hitless innings until Clinton’s Ramon Moria doubled down the third-base line to produce the LumberKings’ first hit against Timber Rattlers pitching in 20 innings. The hitless streak started in the third inning of a May 4 game in Clinton and was extended the next day when the Timber Rattlers’ Chad Thompson and Mark Williams combined for a no-hitter against the LumberKings. “It was nice pitching at home again,” said Goforth. “That road trip would have seemed a lot longer had we been losing. But we’re playing great ball.” A crowd of 4,792 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium watched the Timber Rattlers build a 4-0 lead after four innings and hold off the LumberKings in the late innings. Outfielder Jason Rogers and second baseman Greg Hopkins led the Rattlers at the plate with two hits apiece. Hopkins raised his team-high batting average to .329, while Rogers improved his mark to .307. Rogers drilled a run-scoring single in the third inning and added a two-run single in the fifth inning. Both Hopkins and Rogers were recently named to the Western Division team that will play in the Midwest League All-Star Game on June 19. “Greg (Hopkins) has been on a tear lately, but I’d say that Jason (Rogers) has probably been our most consistent run-producer this season,” said Erickson. “He’s just been solid in that three-hole.” Fond du Lac’s Chad Pierce pitched the final four innings and allowed all four Clinton runs on six hits, including a long solo home run to dead center field by outfielder Jabari Blash in the LumberKings’ three-run seventh inning. Wisconsin, which went 8-5 on the road trip, improved its record to 21-9 at home and remained in first place in the West Division of the Midwest League. There are 11 games remaining in the first half of the season and the top two teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs. The Timber Rattlers host division second-place Beloit for three games, starting Saturday at 6:35 p.m.

Brewers listed as an interested party in an undrafted free agent -- not often you see stories of this nature, that's really championing the local kid by the sports dept.

(TC07, the Stars don't post this online, hope this helps out...) *** Stars Fall in Pitchers Duel to M-Braves HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Mississippi starting pitcher David Hale outdueled Stars righty Hiram Burgos as the Braves shutout the Stars 1-0 in the finale of a six-game series at Joe Davis Stadium on Wednesday night. Throughout the entire game, both pitchers were absolutely spectacular. For Burgos, he earned a no-decision after pitching seven innings of scoreless baseball, giving up just four hits while striking out six batters. The 24-year-old was perfect through three innings. He stranded runners in scoring position in two of the last three innings he pitched to improve his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 12 innings. Burgos has now only given up a run in one of his last 19 innings pitched, dating back to his last three starts. However, Hale was even better. The Marietta, Georgia product improved to 4-3 on the season by throwing eight scoreless innings while giving up just four hits and striking out a career-high 11 batters. Hale also only let two runners past second base and has pitched 14 consecutive scoreless innings against the Stars. Hale was able to earn the win in the bottom of the eighth inning as the M-Braves scored their only run of the ballgame. With reliever Jesus Sanchez in the game for the Stars, shortstop Barrett Kleinknecht singled to begin the frame. After Hale sacrificed Kleinknecht into scoring position, an RBI single by second baseman Phil Gosselin plated the eventual game-winning run. In the ninth, the Stars put the potential game-tying runner on base with a two-out single by first baseman Hunter Morris off of closer Mark Lamm. However, Lamm got shortstop Tommy Manzella to fly out to right field the next at-bat on a diving catch by right fielder Keenan Wiley to end the ballgame. For Lamm, the save was his seventh of the season. For the Stars, Sanchez was tabbed with his first defeat of the season after giving up the run in the eighth, falling to 3-1 on the season. The shutout loss was also the fifth time Huntsville has been blanked in a game this season. On offense, right fielder Kentrail Davis led the way for the Stars with a 2-for-3 night at the plate. The Stars will hit the road on Thursday to begin a five-game series with the Mobile BayBears. Huntsville will send RHP Josh Stinson (7-2, 2.96 ERA) to square off against Mobile LHP Tyler Skaggs (4-3, 2.65 ERA).

Another something to watch, this one from the DSL -- DSL Brewers Bottom of the 1st Francisco Castillo walks. Raphachel Colatosti flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez. Carlos Belonis flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez. Sthervin Matos strikes out swinging. DSL Tigers Top of the 2nd Defensive Substitution: Alejandro Mendoza replaces third baseman Sthervin Matos, batting 4th, playing third base Sthervin Matos posted a nice .274 / .394 / .381 as a 17-year-old in 2011, and has been plopped in the cleanup spot this year. If it was a called strike three, you might look for an ejection (not noted), but on a swinging strike three to end the 1st? Oblique a possibility, one might imagine...

Something to watch -- Manatees' catcher Parker Berberet left tonight's game after being hit by a pitch in the top of the 9th. Joey Paciorek came in for him; a third catcher on the roster, Brent Dean, was the Brevard DH in the game.

Brewers tab Bosco’s Burns by Mark Czerwinski, NorthJersey.com Don Bosco senior right-hander Tommy Burns of Fair Lawn was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 34th round of Wednesday’s Major league Baseball draft. “Very exciting,” said Burns, who has committed to pitch for national junior college power Howard next season. “Right now, I’m just taking it step by step. It’s an honor to be drafted, and it’s something I can put on my resume. “My dream has always been to play pro ball, so this is a dream come true. It’s a step in the right direction.” Burns, who will start Saturday’s Non-Public A championship game against Gloucester Catholic, said much of his decision to sign depends on how much the Brewers spend on earlier draft picks. *** If this was six years ago, this would be a classic draft-and-follow through a juco season out of high school. Don't quite close the door on this signing, though odds may be long.

First, a link to the pre-draft transaction thread *** Now we kick off the new thread -- The first 2012 draft pick to sign tweeted a picture of his contract. 21st round RHP Austin Blaski, RHP, Marietta College Marietta is the Division 3 two-time champion, having just won the national tournament in Appleton. Current Timber Rattler and now Midwest League All-Star RHP Mark Williams was signed out of independent ball last summer. His college career was also at Marietta, so he'll be thrilled. From earlier this week -- Blaski's focus now is upcoming draft By Ben Federici, Findlay (Ohio) Courier Staff Writer MARIETTA -- Austin Blaski's resume is pretty impressive: -- Two-time All-American. -- American Baseball Coaches Association Division III Pitcher of the Year in 2012. -- 2011 NCAA Division III World Series MVP. -- Major League prospect. But if you ask the former Pandora-Gilboa student-athlete what his favorite award is, none of those accolades will be mentioned. Instead, he will tell you about how his Marietta College team won back-to-back NCAA Division III national championships. "(Assistant) Coach (Mike) Deegan told us before that final game that we had a chance to be 'the greatest of all time' at Marietta," Blaski said of the Pioneers, who defeated Wheaton (Mass.) College 7-2 in the championship game of the NCAA Division III World Series last week. "We needed different guys to step up every game. It took everyone we had to get it done. We all wanted to prove ourselves. All 25 guys on the roster made big contributions." Marietta head coach Brian Brewer speaks highly of Blaski's contributions on the field as well as off. "There is not a selfish bone in that young man's body," Brewer said. "He is just a great all-around guy, mild mannered, professional and gives you everything he's got every time out." Blaski was originally headed to Heidelberg. Instead he was steered toward Marietta by his high school coach Larry McCullough, who played for the Pioneers in the early '90s. In his freshman year, Blaski, who entered college as a shortstop, had to adjust to becoming a full time pitcher. "It took a lot of work," Blaski said. "I completely changed my mechanics and I had to learn how to pitch, what pitch to throw when, and how to change spots." Blaski credits the Marietta coaching staff and his teammates with his transformation from position player to pitcher. Blaski showcased his mental and physical preparation by leading the Pioneers in innings pitched as a junior and senior, throwing 110 innings this season, only 17 shy of the Marietta all-time record. The final 25 1/3 of those innings came in over 14 days during the regional and national tournaments. He made four starts, allowing just nine earned runs. "He is a perfect gentleman, but when he gets on that mound he is a heck of a competitor," Brewer said. "Its fun to watch." Some of that tenacity might be attributed to his pregame ritual. Before every start, Blaski made sure to find his dad, Steve Blaski, who would give his son a Snickers bar and a pep talk after he was done warming up. "He did it before my first start this year and I pitched well, so he just kept doing it," Austin Blaski said. Going into his last start May 29, Blaski led all NCAA divisions with 13 wins. He admits, though, to not being fully satisfied. "I gave up the lead (in his final start) and forced our coaches to use extra pitching to get through," Blaski said. "That 14th win could have made it easier for the team to win." Blaski definitely made it easier for his teammates. In his 16 appearances, the Pioneers went 15-1 as he held opposing batters to a .202 average and posted a 1.23 earned run average. Blaski finished his college career by earning his second D-III national championship ring. Now he turns his attention to the Major League Baseball first-year player draft. "I have worked as hard as I could for the past four or five years," Blaski said.

UCSB totals five MLB draftees Lance Roenicke’s 25th round selection allows him to join the Milwaukee organization where his father, Ron, is the manager. But, it wasn’t purely based on family ties. Roenicke had a stellar senior season in which he hit .310 and led the Gauchos with four home runs and 35 RBI. He also set a school record for sacrifice bunts in a season with 16, providing a pivotal role as the No. 2 hitter in the order. “I am so excited to be joining the Milwaukee organization,” said Roenicke who hails from Chino Hills, Calif. “This is a dream come true for me to be selected. The fact that the entire Brewers franchise believed in me the same way my father always has means a ton.”

Barnegat's Mark McCoy gets drafted for baseball, but chooses college By Hannah Bitzer For the Press of Atlantic City Barnegat High School pitcher Mark McCoy was selected Thursday in the Major League Baseball draft with the 815th pick (26th round) by the Milwaukee Brewers. But the 19-year-old senior had already made up his mind that he would be going to Wake Forest University instead. McCoy said that he was offered (by phone) $142,000 in the seventh round by the Atlanta Braves, but he said no (the Braves did not select him) and will attend Wake, an ACC school where he's getting a full scholarship. *** McCoy also indicated via Twitter that the Angels expressed 9th round interest It's all about Wake Barnegat High School pitcher Mark McCoy practices Thursday. Major-league scouts are showing up for every game Mark pitches this spring for the Bengals. ‘It was like a whole new world,’ he says of his initial reaction when he realized scouts were tracking him. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/pressofatlanticcity.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/42/942fbb41-82a6-52d5-a8e2-1a607cf32117/4f87a42b1c0a2.image.jpg

Wait worth it for Terps, Hoyas shortstops By Tom Schad - The Washington Times After being widely overlooked on the first two days of the MLB first-year player draft, Maryland and Georgetown shortstops were drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Terrapin Alfredo Rodriguez was picked in the 17th round, and Hoya Mike Garza was chosen less than an hour later in the 20th. Rodriguez already had a relationship with the Brewers after being selected by them in the 32nd round last year. He opted to return to College Park for his senior season and is fortunate that the organization was willing to wait. “It’s hard to put it into words,” he said Wednesday, “but it’s been a great experience already through college, and I’m just really excited. I feel blessed that I was able to get this opportunity, and hopefully I’ll make the most of it.” A finalist for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year award, Rodriguez started 177 consecutive games for Maryland and tied the school record with 62 career stolen bases. Rodriguez batted .294 with 44 RBI this season and has a program-best 27 sacrifice hits in his four years at College Park. Garza was spending time in his Texas home when he got the call. The 6-foot, 200-pound redshirt junior was a one-man wrecking crew for the Hoyas this season. He was named to the All-Big East first team and led the Hoyas in hits (86), doubles (21), home runs (eight), RBI (44) and total bases (135). He is only the 12th Georgetown player to be drafted. “You work hard to get to this point and now it all pays off, so it’s very rewarding,” Garza told Georgetown athletics shortly after being selected.

Brewers excited about balance in system Young pitchers developing as club adds offensive depth By Jeremy Warnemuende / MLB.com

Audio: Timber Rattlers Manager Matt Erickson joined Justin Hull on the Home Stretch on 1570 Appleton Wednesday, June 6th to talk Rattlers. Erickson is a real solid interviewee.

Thanks! White Sox grabbed the St. John's University pitcher in the 6th round this year; Brewers drafted him as a high schooler in the 40th round in '09.

WSSP audio with 1st round OF Victor Roache

Wisconsin Media Notes

INF Mike Brownstein, the now-24-year-old 2009 14th round pick released by the Brewers this past spring, has found work with the Grand Prairie (TX) Airhogs of the independent American Association.

Former Brewers farmhand Steffan Wilson, now the team's Northeast scout, went back to his own school, Harvard, for 31st rd LHP Brent Suter.