Monday, June 04, 2012

Could be quiet MLB Draft week for Pennsylvania prospects

http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/6452480593884838668/could-be-quiet-mlb-draft-week-for-pennsylvania-prospects/ FROM PENNLIVE It’s always been a tricky equation, evaluating and ultimately selecting baseball talent from the "cold" state of Pennsylvania. And the task seems more daunting this season as Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player Draft gets under way today at 7 p.m. A year ago, Central Pennsylvania fans were buzzing over a trio of scholastic prospects that were eventually plucked inside the Top 6 rounds. Manheim Twp. catcher Cam Gallagher went first, 65th overall to the Kansas City Royals. Northern OF Joe Tuschak found a home in the New York Mets farm system, picked 192nd overall. And Cedar Crest OF Derek Fisher was selected by the Texas Rangers, also in the sixth round. Fisher ultimately chose to accept a scholarship to national-power Virginia and is currently toiling in the NCAA regionals. In all, 25 prospects that call the Keystone State home, Rider University pitcher Nate Eppley (Northern H.S.) among them, got the call from MLB franchises. Over the next three days, reaching the same number seems highly improbable. Still, there are some regional hopefuls like Shepherd University slugger Nathan Minnich (Waynesboro), who just finished his collegiate career with multiple Division II player of the year honors and a gaudy .487 batting average. Minnich’s impressive totals include team-highs in RBIs (72), home runs (21) and on-base percentage (.645), among others. Minnich, a first baseman, was one of six finalists for the prestigious Tino Martinez Award, handed out annually to the Division II National Player of the Year. In addition, three members of the Penn State Nittany Lions are listed on MLB.com’s official draft tracker: Outfielder Sean Deegan, LHP Joe Kurrasch and third baseman Jordan Steranka (Mt. Lebanon). Twin Valley RHP Jared Price headlines the scholastic set with Conestoga C Ron Williams, Nazareth RHP Karl Keglovits and SS Ken Koplove of William Penn Charter. Shortstop Joe DeCarlo (Garnett Valley HS) and LHP Jake Drossner of Council Rock North also are listed. There are always a few surprises, especially in the later rounds, so monitor MLB.com accordingly. Houston is on the clock. 2012 MLB Draft Schedule Live on MLB.com Today: Round 1 & Comp A, 7 Tuesday, June 5: Rounds 2-15, noon Wednesday, June 6: Rounds 16-40, noon

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