Cape Cod League Update: The 2013 MLB Draft

As you may remember, a year ago, I was working in the Cape Cod League, attending games and covering the numbers and players. Well, with the arrival of this year’s draft, some of those players are now entering into major league systems. Going through the first twenty rounds (this should cover most of the the draftees, although if I missed any to that point, I apologize), here are the Cape League Class of 2012 alumni moving on to the pros:


Player: Colin Moran

Pick: Round 1, Pick 6

Position: 3B

Cape League Team: Bourne Braves

College: University of North Carolina

Major League Team: Miami Marlins

I didn’t see Bourne as much as some other teams, but I did do a write-up of Moran’s summer in my team review.


Player: Marco Gonzales

Pick: Round 1, Pick 19

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Gonzaga

Major League Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Gonzales was only at the Cape for a few games, but he was solid while there (10 innings, 2.70 ERA, 0.900 WHIP, 13/0 K/BB ratio).



Player: Eric Jagielo

Pick: Round 1, Pick 26

Position: 3B

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Notre Dame

Major League Team: New York Yankees

Jagielo was one of the members of the Harwich Mariners’ Murderers’ Row last season, ultimately finishing second in the league in home runs. I also wrote about him in the team wrap-up. As a side note, I tried to talk to him after a game to write a player profile, but I missed him while talking to someone else. This doesn’t really help now, but I want to bring it up either way.



Player: Phil Ervin

Pick: Round 1, Pick 27

Position: CF

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Samford

Major League Team: Cincinnati Reds

Another Harwich Mariner, Ervin cooled off after his unbelievably hot start, but still had a good season overall. His write ups can be found with Jagielo’s



Player: Aaron Judge

Pick: Round 1, Pick 32

Position: CF

Cape League Team: Brewster Whitecaps

College: Fresno State

Major League Team: New York Yankees

I didn’t go to many Brewster games, but I saw Judge’s first game, which I mentioned in their team article. The man has serious power.



Player: Sean Manaea

Pick: Competitive Balance Round A, Pick 1 (34 overall)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Hyannis Harbor Hawks

College: Indiana State

Major League Team: Kansas City Royals

Manaea had the best summer of anyone in the league, winning both the top pitcher and top prospect awards. I covered him not only in my Hyannis review, but also in an entire profile.



Player: Aaron Blair

Pick: Competitive Balance Round A, Pick 3 (36 overall)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

College: Marshall

Major League Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Blair was the ace of the runner-up Red Sox, as well as the first player that I profiled.


Player: Andrew Thurman

Pick: Round 2, Pick 1 (40 overall)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

College: University of California Irvine

Major League Team: Houston Astros

Thurman was the 1A of the Red Sox, besting Blair in both strikeouts and walks allowed (although I never saw him pitch in person, so I’m lacking a profile).



Player: Trevor Williams

Pick: Round 2, Pick 5 (44 overall)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Arizona State

Major League Team: Miami Marlins

Like Gonzales, Williams was only in the Cape for a short time, with only 6 innings as a Firebird.



Player: Austin Wilson

Pick: Round 2, Pick 10 (49 overall)

Position: RF

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Stanford

Major League Team: Seattle Mariners

Yet another Harwich Mariner, Wilson is (like his teammates) covered here and here. Injuries cut into his playtime, but he was very good in the time he did play. Like with Jagielo, I tried to interview him, but getting asked to try later and never followed up. A bit of a missed opportunity on my part.



Player: Andrew Knapp

Pick: Round 2, Pick 14 (53 overall)

Position: C

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: University of California

Major League Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Knapp is yet another player that I profiled, showing a great bat from behind the plate. He also appears on the Anglers’ season-end article.



Player: Tom Windle

Pick: Round 2, Pick 17 (56 overall)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Brewster Whitecaps

College: Minnesota

Major League Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Windle was the staff ace of the Brewster Whitecaps last summer.



Player: Kevin Ziomek

Pick: Round 2, Pick 19 (58 overall)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Vanderbilt

Major League Team: Detroit Tigers

Another player who left early, Ziomek only pitched in five games for the Kettleers, but posted ace-type numbers while there.



Player: Chad Pinder

Pick: Competitive Balance Round B, Pick 3 (71 overall)

Position: 3B

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: Virginia Tech

Major League Team: Oakland Athletics

Pinder left early due to a sports hernia. However, I did manage to profile Chatham’s star third baseman before he left. He also appears with teammate Knapp on the review.



Player: Colby Suggs

Pick: Competitive Balance Round B, Pick 5 (73 overall)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Arkansas

Major League Team: Miami Marlins

The first draftee from the league champion Gatemen, Suggs served as a bullpen arm before eventually moving into the team closer role.



Player: Sam Moll

Pick: Round 3-4 (77th)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Brewster Whitecaps

College: Memphis

Major League Team: Colorado Rockies



Player: Dace Kime

Pick: Round 3-6 (79th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: Louisville

Major League Team: Cleveland Indians



Player: Brian Verbitsky

Pick: Round 3-13 (86th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Hofstra

Major League Team: San Diego Padres



Player: JaCoby Jones

Pick: Round 3-14 (87th)

Position: CF/MI

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Louisiana State

Major League Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Another part of the Harwich attack, although he was a little less polished than some of his teammates.



Player: Daniel Palka

Pick: Round 3-15 (88th)

Position: 1B

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Georgia Tech

Major League Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Palka was part of a trio of mashers on the champion Gatemen. I didn’t see a ton of Wareham games, but those three (Palka, soon-to-be-mentioned Tyler Horan, and freshman Kyle Schwarber) were impressive to watch when I did catch them.



Player: Barrett Astin

Pick: Round 3-17 (90th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Arkansas

Major League Team: Milwaukee Brewers



Player: Jacob May

Pick: Round 3-18 (91st)

Position: CF

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College:Coastal Carolina

Major League Team: Chicago White Sox



Player: Mike Mayers

Pick: Round 3-20 (93rd)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Bourne Braves

College: Ole Miss

Major League Team: St. Louis Cardinals



Player: Jeff Thompson

Pick: Round 3-21 (94th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Bourne Braves

College: Louisville

Major League Team: Detroit Tigers



Player: Ryon Healy

Pick: Round 3-27 (100th)

Position: 1B

Cape League Team: Brewster Whitecaps

College: Oregon

Major League Team: Oakland Athletics



Player: Michael O’Neill

Pick: Round 3-30 (103rd)

Position: CF

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Michigan

Major League Team: New York Yankees

I watched a lot of Falmouth games, and I particularly enjoyed watching O’Neill. His average was a little low, but he brought a good eye, speed, and some pop. And yes, he is related to Paul O’Neill (uncle-nephew, to be exact).



Player: Conrad Gregor

Pick: Round 4-1 (107th)

Position: 1B

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Vanderbilt

Major League Team: Houston Astros

I really liked this pick and the next one for the Astros (Tony Kemp). Gregor had a great eye, with almost as many walks as whiffs, as part of a great .329/.466/.550 line. He led my team review.



Player: Tyler Skulina

Pick: Round 4-2 (108th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Bourne Braves

College: Kent State

Major League Team: Chicago Cubs



Player: Jordan Patterson

Pick: Round 4-3 (109th)

Position: RF

Cape League Team: Bourne Braves

College: South Alabama

Major League Team: Colorado Rockies



Player: Kyle Crockett

Pick: Round 4-5 (111th)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Virginia

Major League Team: Cleveland Indians



Player: Zane Evans

Pick: Round 4-8 (114th)

Position: C

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Georgia Tech

Major League Team: Kansas City Royals



Player: LJ Mazzilli

Pick: Round 4-10 (116th)

Position: 2B

Cape League Team: Bourne Braves

College: Connectiucut

Major League Team: New York Mets



Player: Mason Katz

Pick: Round 4-19 (126th)

Position: 2B/OF

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Louisiana State

Major League Team: St. Louis Cardinals



Player: Austin Kubitza

Pick: Round 4-20 (127th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Rice

Major League Team: Detroit Tigers



Player: Dylan Covey

Pick: Round 4-25 (131st)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: San Diego

Major League Team: Oakland Athletics



Player: Brian Ragira

Pick: Round 4-26 (132nd)

Position: 1B

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Stanford

Major League Team: San Francisco Giants



Player: Ben Lively

Pick: Round 4-29 (135th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Central Florida

Major League Team: Cincinnati Reds



Player: Tony Kemp

Pick: Round 5-1 (137th)

Position: 2B

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Vanderbilt

Major League Team: Houston Astros

Like his now-and-future teammate (as both are going from Vanderbilt to Houston), fourth-round pick Conrad Gregor, Kemp shows great control of the strike zone, with a .343/.489/.583 line up the middle. Also, he’s listed as 5’6”, and I fully support any player shorter than myself.



Player: Trey Masek

Pick: Round 5-2 (138th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Texas Tech

Major League Team: Chicago Cubs

He was the Commodores’ power arm, leading the team in strikeouts. A little bit better control would be good, but it’s a solid base to work from.



Player: Corey Littrell

Pick: Round 5-7 (143rd)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Kentucky

Major League Team: Boston Red Sox



Player: Jared King

Pick: Round 5-10 (146th)

Position: LF/CF

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Kansas State

Major League Team: New York Mets

Another player that I interviewed, he was off to a good start before injuries crept up and forced him to leave.



Player: Daniel Slania

Pick: Round 5-26 (162th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Notre Dame

Major League Team: San Francisco



Player: Austin Voth

Pick: Round 5-30 (166th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Brewster Whitecaps

College: Washington

Major League Team: Washington Nationals



Player: Scott Frazier

Pick: Round 6-2

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: Pepperdine

Major League Team: Chicago Cubs



Player: Luke Farrell

Pick: Round 6-8 (174th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Northwestern

Major League Team: Kansas City Royals



Player: Matt Boyd

Pick: Round 6-9 (175th)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Oregon State

Major League Team: Toronto Blue Jays



Player: Trevor Gott

Pick: Round 6-12 (178th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Kentucky

Major League Team: San Diego Padres



Player: Jason Monda

Pick: Round 6-15 (181st)

Position: OF

Cape League Team: Brewster Whitecaps

College: Washington State

Major League Team: Philadelphia Phillies




Player: Jimmy Reed

Pick: Round 6-19 (185th)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Maryland

Major League Team: St. Louis Cardinals



Player: Kyle Finnegan

Pick: Round 6-25

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Texas State

Major League Team: Oakland Athletics



Player: David Garner

Pick: Round 7-2 (198th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Hyannis Harbor Hawks

College: Michigan State

Major League Team: Chicago Cubs



Player: Konner Wade

Pick: Round 7-3 (199th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Arizona

Major League Team: Colorado Rockies



Player: Brian Gilbert

Pick: Round 7-4 (200th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Steon Hall

Major League Team: Minnesota Twins



Player: Brandon Trinkwon

Pick: Round 7-18 (214th)

Position: SS

Cape League Team: Hyannis Harbor Hawks

College: UC Santa Barbara

Major League Team: Los Angeles Dodgers



Player: Garrett Nuss

Pick: Round 7-21 (217th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Seminole State

Major League Team: Los Angeles Angels



Player: Drew Dosch

Pick: Round 7-23 (219th)

Position: 3B

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Youngstown State

Major League Team: Baltimore Orioles

Another interviewee, he had his breakout on the Cape. He started as a temporary player before claiming third base, eventually reaching All-Star status. He’s definitely a sleeper candidate I’ll be pulling for.



Player: Nick Rumbelow

Pick: Round 7-28 (224th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Louisiana State

Major League Team: New York Yankees



Player: Kendall Graveman

Pick: Round 8-9 (235th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Mississippi State

Major League Team: Toronto Blue Jays



Player: Rick Knapp

Pick: Round 8-10 (236th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Florida Gulf Coast

Major League Team: New York Mets



Player: Tyler Horan

Pick: Round 7-26 (252nd)

Position: LF

Cape League Team: Wareham Gatemen

College: Virginia Tech

Major League Team: San Francisco Giants

Horan tied the Cape League home run record, although injuries limited his mobility and position. If he can get healthy enough to play in the field, he has the power.



Player: Pat Valaika

Pick: Round 9-3 (259th)

Position: SS

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: UCLA

Major League Team: Colorado Rockies



Player: Mitchell Garver

Pick: Round 9-4 (260th)

Position: C

Cape League Team: Hyannis Harbor Hawks

College: New Mexico

Major League Team: Minnesota Twins



Player: Patrick Biondi

Pick: Round 9-10 (266th)

Position: CF

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Michigan

Major League Team: New York Mets



Player: Jake Joyce

Pick: Round 9-30 (286th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: Virginia Tech

Major League Team: Washington Nationals



Player: Charles (CK) Irby

Pick: Round 10-4

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Harwich Mariners

College: Samford

Major League Team: Minnesota Twins




Player: Sean Dwyer

Pick: Round 11-3 (319th)

Position: LF

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Florida Gulf Coast

Major League Team: Colorado Rockies



Player: Carlos Asuaje

Pick: Round 11-7 (323rd)

Position: SS

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: Nova Southeastern

Major League Team: Boston Red Sox




Player: John Simms

Pick: Round 11-30 (346th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Rice

Major League Team: Washington Nationals

Simms was good on the Cape, but there’s something of a health question with Rice pitchers. Can Simms break the trend?



Player: Tim Mayza

Pick: Round 12-9 (355th)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Millersville

Major League Team: Toronto Blue Jays



Player: Dominic Ficociello

Pick: Round 12-20 (366th)

Position: 3B

Cape League Team: Orleans Firebirds

College: Arkansas

Major League Team: Detroit Tigers



Player: Jonathan Dziedzic

Pick: Round 13-8 (384th)

Position: LHP

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Lamar

Major League Team: Kansas City Royals



Player: JD Leckenby

Pick: Round 14-10 (416th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Brewster Whitecaps

College: Washington State

Major League Team: New York Mets



Player: Cael Brockmeyer

Pick: Round 16-2 (468th)

Position: C

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Cal State Bakersfield

Major League Team: Chicago Cubs



Player: Johnny Magliozzi (note: draft-eligible sophomore)

Pick: Round 17-10 (506th)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Florida

Major League Team: New York Mets



Player: Adam Nelubowich

Pick: Round 18-1 (527th)

Position: 3B

Cape League Team: Cotuit Kettleers

College: Washington State

Major League Team: Houston Astros



Player: Jake Rodriguez

Pick: Round 19-1 (557th)

Position: C

Cape League Team: Falmouth Commodores

College: Oregon State

Major League Team: Houston Astros

Rodriguez was pretty versatile, playing second and third as well as catching. I always like players who can play everywhere, although Rodriguez’s bat probably needs a little more work.



Player: Adam Engel

Pick: Round 19-17 (573rd)

Position: CF

Cape League Team: Chatham Anglers

College: Louisville

Major League Team: Chicago White Sox



Player: AJ Vanegas

Pick: Round 19-25 (581st)

Position: RHP

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Stanford

Major League Team: Oakland Athletics



Player: Zak Blair

Pick: Round 20-2

Position: 2B

Cape League Team: Y-D Red Sox

College: Mercyhurst

Major League Team: Chicago Cubs



So there you have it. Good luck to all these players on their fledgling careers!