The MLB Draft and the Missoula Osprey
By selecting Texas A&M right-hander Barret Loux on Monday with their first pick and sixth overall in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks began a trend they followed up on during Tuesday’s second day of the draft.
Between the first and 30th rounds, the Diamondbacks, the parent club of the Missoula Osprey, picked 18 pitchers. The D-backs didn’t take a position player until the ninth round, when they called on Zach Walters from the University of San Diego.
And it appears Arizona is bullish on big men taking the mound.
Loux stands 6-foot-5. J.R. Bradley, a high school fireballer from West Virginia and Arizona’s second-round pick is 6-4. The team’s third-round selection, California high school righty Robby Rowland, stands 6-6.
Arizona followed those picks with pitchers Kevin Munson (6-2), Cody Wheeler, the shortest of the group at 5-11, Blake Perry (6-5), Jeff Shields (6-3) and Tyler Green (6-1).
“The word of projection that we talk about in the scouting world, they have that,” Diamondbacks scouting director Tom Allison told the Arizona Republic of his new stable of arms. “They have tremendous frames that we feel they’re going to fill into and will have those good, solid, sturdy major-league bodies with strength, athleticism and fluxion.”
Following Walters, the D-backs chose catcher Kawika Emsley-Pai of Lewis-Clark State and Clemson shortstop Mike Freeman.
While the draft is a chance for Osprey fans to guess who might be sent to the Garden City to play for the Osprey, even the team’s executive vice president Matt Ellis will be left in the dark for the next week.
Draftees who choose to sign soon will be sent to the Diamondbacks’ extended spring training facility in Tucson, Ariz. There, they will work out before getting divided into minor league rosters on or about June 16.
Once named to the team, the Osprey plan on flying to Missoula on June 17 before they begin the season June 21 at Helena. Missoula’s home opener is June 25 against the Billings Mustangs.
Notes from the hot corner: Yesterday, the O’s announced they will hold a fundraiser for Play Ball Missoula on June 20 at Ogren-Allegiance Park where fans will get to take part in a meet and greet with Osprey players and coaches that costs $100 for admission.
Following a 3 p.m. practice, those in attendance will have autograph and photo opportunities with the Osprey before guests will enjoy a catered meal on the Blackfoot Party Deck.
For tickets, call Play Ball Missoula at 543-1007 or the Osprey at 543-330.
- Michael Heinbach