:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46520772/519.0.0.jpeg)
While it may not get the same hype as the NFL or NBA varieties, the MLB Draft is still an important part of the game. It may seem never ending to some, but how else do you expect teams to fill out the rosters of not only the MLB squad, but the littering of minor league teams under each organization's banner. With so many players chosen, there are plenty of chances to make it to the next level, although, as we know, advancing to the Show is still an improbability for the bulk of those drafted.
Still, congratulations are in order for the 1,215 players chosen this season and to the psychopaths, I mean dedicated fans, who kept track of the entire shindig. The percentage of Big East players among that small army of players is quite low. In fact, it's a fraction of a percent, 0.905 percent if you want to be exact. Well that's the only percentage that matters here at Big East Coast Bias, where our bias is...well it's right in the name, isn't it. Anyway, to the players.
Nick Collins (Georgetown) - Oakland A's Round 8, Pick 248
Oakland has gotten itself a historic player in Collins, who officially signed this week.
It's official! Nick Collins has officially signed his 1st professional contract with the @OaklandAs. #HoyaSaxa pic.twitter.com/HYGd6B6DWC
— Georgetown Baseball (@GtownBaseball) June 18, 2015
The catcher and sometimes DH was the first Hoya to ever win the Big East Player of the Year award when he collected the hardware at the conclusion of this season. With the type of lumber Collins was laying down, it's no wonder why. He batted a blistering .370 and led the league in slugging percentage (.540), hits (78, tied with St. John's Alex Caruso), home runs (seven) and total bases. If you're looking for an MLB comparison, I'd liken his game to that of Ryan Doumit. A burly catcher with pop, although Collins does not hit from both sides of the plate.
Cody Stashak (St. John's) - Minnesota Twins Round 13, Pick 380
Stashak was one of a record six Red Storm players to be drafted on Wednesday and was, also, the first player of the bunch to go off the board. Via Baseball America he was the 39th ranked prospect in the state of New York, this coming after a season in which he was 7-4 with a 3.57 ERA. Stashak posted 69 strikeouts through 85.2 innings pitched, coming away with a K/9 of 7.29.
Matt Clancy (St. John's) - Seattle Mariners Round 13, Pick 395
The southpaw Clancy is ranked 32nd on Baseball America's New York prospects list, trailing teammates Thomas Hackimer, Ryan McCormick and Alex Katz. The native of Norwood, New Jersey joins the Mariners after posting a 2.91 ERA in 32 appearances (34.0 IP). Opposing batters hit just .218 against the tricky left-handed pitcher who yielded just one home run throughout the 2015 campaign.
Thomas Hackimer (St. John's) - New York Mets Round 15, Pick 449
Hackimer won't have to go far if he is to make it to the big leagues one day as he got picked by the fellow Queens dwellers, the New York Mets. And the Mets may have come away with a good one. Hackimer is the lone Big East pitcher to make the Baseball America Top 500, coming in at No. 346 and was noted as the seventh-best Empire State prospect. Hackimer was practically unhittable this past year, going 4-1 with a sterling 1.92 ERA with 15 saves in 51.2 IP. He yielded a BAA of just .177 in 2015 and zero home runs.
Ryan McCormick (St. John's) - Colorado Rockies Round 16, Pick 467
What is Colorado always looking for? That's right, pitching. Well we should all wish McCormick a great deal of luck, as his professional career is not starting with a team that has shown an ability to groom many standout hurlers. IF the Red Storm ace can keep up the stellar work he had this past season, then he could change that narrative. McCormick finished the year at 11-1 with a 2.66 ERA. He threw two complete game, including a shutout, earned a save somehow and struck out 70 batters in 91 1/3 innings, the most of any pitcher in the Big East. His selection of pitches were always tough to guess, as he led the league strikeouts looking (28).
Max Almonte (Villanova) - St. Louis Cardinals Round 16, Pick 491
The flame throwing right-hander can pop the leather and has a decent repertoire along side his fastball. His numbers were OK this past season (3-2, 4.15 ERA, 7.8 K/9). The Cardinals have proven to have one of the best front offices and farm systems in baseball, so they must think there's a chance Almonte's stuff will develop and translate at the next level. Or at least that's what their spies have told them. (Sorry, I had to).
Tyler Sanchez (St. John's) - Texas Rangers Round 17, Pick 498
The pop Sanchez displayed this season really boosted his stock. After all, we are talking about a catcher who batted just .214 and got on base only 32.2 percent of the times he came to the plate. However, he made up for hit by swatting five home runs, as well as four doubles and a triple. He also displayed a strong understanding of how to call games and defend his position. He caught 13 batters stealing, only committed four errors all year and was the primary backstop for a staff with an ERA of 3.77, second-best in the conference.
Alex Katz (St. John's) - Chicago White Sox Round 27, Pick 802
Katz was a do-it-all pitcher for Ed Bankmeyer and his staff. In this last season alone he made six starts and 13 relief appearances. No matter the situation, Katz was reliable, using his left-handed delivery to work out a 3.40 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 55 2/3 innings of work. He was a bit wild, however, and locking down his control will be critical, whether or not he stays at St. John's for his senior year, as he gave up 30 free passes last season, the most of any pitcher for the Red Storm.
Jacob Bodner (Xavier) - Kansas City Royals Round 27, Pick 819
Despite the dumpster fire that was the Xavier baseball program this season, there was still a player from the X drafted. That is something both Creighton and Seton Hall, two teams that made it to the Big East Tournament, cannot say. Bodner, a right-handed relief pitcher, didn't have the statistics one might expect from a draftee. He posted a less than stellar 5.66 ERA in 18 appearances, but he did collect two saves and strike out 24 batters in 20 2/3 innings. Possessing the ability to put batters away without balls being put in play us always valuable.
Curtiss Pomeroy (Georgetown) - Atlanta Braves Round 28, Pick 840
Pomeroy is an interesting selection, as he played multiple spots in college. He was Ryan Busch's backup at shortstop and hit .262 in 17 games, but he was also part of the Hoyas' pitching staff, as he pitched in five games. He didn't have much success on the mound (7.20 ERA), but the Braves must have seen some potential, as he was drafted as a pitcher. It may be the swing-and-miss stuff Pomeroy exhibited, as he struck out eight batters in five innings. Odds are that he will not sign, what with the late timing of his pick and the fact that he was just a junior last season.
A.C. Carter (Georgetown) - Colorado Rockies Round 40, Pick 1187
Big East fans may have been confused when Carter was selected. No, not because he didn't deserve to be, because he was officially drafted as Alexander Carter. The Georgetown faithful know him as A.C., of course, and hopefully the Rockies will in short order. Carter began his career at Notre Dame, but found a home with the Hoyas. He provided protection for Collins in the lineup, swatting his way to a .316 average with four home runs and a team-high 42 RBI. He was also confident at first base, posting a fielding percentage of .989.