Second Day of 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft Complete
June 8, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Jamestown Jammers News Release
After two days of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the Florida Marlins, the Major League Baseball afï¬Âliate of the Jamestown Jammers, have made 30 selections that could go a long way towards shaping Jamestown's roster for the 2011 season.
Historically, collegiate players are sent to either the New York-Penn League or the South Atlantic League to start their minor league careers, while high school players are sent to the Gulf Coast League.
If that trend continues, it bodes well for the Jammers as 24 of Florida's ï¬Ârst 30 selections were collegiate players.
Although the Marlins did draft several college players, their ï¬Ârst selection, 14th overall, was Jose Fernandez from Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida. The 6-3 righty has been clocked as high as 98 mph on his fastball, and he also has a devastating breaking ball. In his senior year, he went 13-1 with a 2.35 ERA to help his high school win the Florida Class 6A state championship for the second time in three years.
Florida also used their second selection on a pitcher, but this time they went to the college ranks and picked junior lefty Adam Conley out of Washington State. He led the Cougars in wins (6) this year, and he ï¬Ânished his career in Pullman with the third-most saves (13) in school history.
The next three selections were all prep prospects as shortstop Connor Barron, second baseman Tyler Palmer and right-handed pitcher Patrick (Mason) Hope were picked in the third, fourth and ï¬Âfth rounds respectively.
Louisville Slugger third team All-American Charlie Lowell of Wichita State started a run of 13 straight collegiate players drafted by the Marlins. Lowell was the Missouri Valley Pitcher of the Year after going 10-5 with a 2.79 ERA.
First baseman Ryan Rieger (College of the Sequoias), RHP Daniel Oliver (Seminole State), catcher Austin Barnes (Arizona State) and RHP Scott Lyman (UC-Davis) ï¬Ânished off the ï¬Ârst 10 rounds.
Barnes, 13th round pick 2B Josh Adams (Florida) and 18th rounder LHP Greg Nappo (Connecticut) are still playing for the right to go to the College World Series. Each is playing in a best-of-three Super Regional this weekend with the winners advancing to Omaha, which could potentially delay their professional debuts.
The rest of the players selected on day two by Florida were 2B Jacob Esch (Georgia Tech), LF Ryan McIntyre (California State Bakersï¬Âeld), RHP Nick Grim (Monterey Peninsula College), RF Jhiomar Veras (Western Oklahoma State College), RHP Adrian Sampson (Bellevue CC), RHP Derek Varnadore (Auburn), 2B Connor Burke (La Serna H.S.), SS Devon Reed (Milford H.S.), RHP Charles Wier (Stephen F. Austin), RHP Collin Cargill (Southern Mississippi), RHP Tyler Higgins (Lansing CC), C Mitchell Caldwell (Auburn), RHP Sean Donatello (Connecticut-Avery Point), 3B Ryan Goetz (UC Riverside), LHP Frank Reed (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo), RHP Benjamin Mincey (East Carolina), Matthew Neil (BYU) and Jose Behar (Florida International).
The third and ï¬Ânal day of the draft started at noon today, and it will consist of rounds 31-50. Former Jammer great and current New Orleans Zephyr Alex Sanabia was picked in round 32 back in 2006.
"The draft has gone very well for us so far," Jamestown General Manager Matt Drayer said. "The Marlins have selected several top collegiate prospects, which should mean an exciting product on the ï¬Âeld for fans again this year. We can't wait to get the players into town and get the season started next week."
Players will report to Jamestown on Monday to start practice before opening the season on June 17 at Mahoning Valley at 7:05 p.m. The Jammers will start their home schedule on June 20 against Williamsport at 7:05 p.m.
New York-Penn League Stories from June 8, 2011
- Second Day of 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft Complete - Jamestown Jammers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
