Tonight, when the lights are on at Jim Patterson Stadium and the Cards are looking for their 3rd consecutive trip to Omaha, the first round of the 2015 MLB Draft will be underway. Here are some things you need to know with regard to the future of Cardinal baseball over the next three days.
The 2015 class just may be Dan McDonnell's best haul since he arrived in Louisville. The best class before this one (in my opinion) was in 2011 when 6 guys were drafted out of high school (Mark Biggs, Adam Schemenauer, Joe Ceja, Jared Ruxer, Nick Burdi, and Sutton Whiting). This class has the potential to top that, thanks to rich talent in IL, IN, and OH. When I refer to recruits below, I have no idea about their intentions to go pro or to college. "Signability" can make a top 5 round talent fall to into rounds 20-40 or even go undrafted.
The class is highlighted a crop of 5 HUGE pitchers ("donkeys" - to use Coach Williams' terminology), all of which are 6'4" or taller: Bryan Hoeing (Batesville, IN), Riley Thompson (Louisville, KY), Noah Burkholder (Crown Point, IN), Sam Bordner (Baltimore, OH), and Adam Wolf (Milan, OH). Hoeing and Thompson fell victim to the Tommy John epidemic in late May, so it will be interesting to see how that impacts their draft stock. It certainly improves their chances of ending up on campus. Before the injury I would have been really surprised if Hoeing didn't sign with an MLB club. Regardless of what happens, those two probably won't contribute until the 2017 season, should they end up in Louisville. All of these guys throw high 80's-low 90's with room for that to improve.
In the field, expect to see Josh Stowers (Westchester, IL) drafted at some point. Another toolsy OF from the Chicago area, a la Corey Ray. He should compete for playing time right away. Chris Botsoe (Hinsdale, IL) is very similar to Stowers though he has a smaller, more wiry frame and could benefit from some time with the UofL training staff. Another name to remember is Daniel Little (Nicholasville, KY), nephew of former Red Sox manager Grady Little. This kid is a ballplayer. He's a switch-hitter who is probably the favorite to replace Whiting at 2B next year. It is amazing how Mac and staff are able to go into Lexington every year and get some top talent. Rounding out the class is 3B Devin Mann (Columbus, IN), C Zeke Pinkham (Elizabethtown, KY), and C Patrick Rumoro (Oak Park, IL).
Credit must be given to Chris Lemonis and Kyle Cheesebrough who recruited most of these guys. But also credit the players who stayed committed to Louisville despite their departure to Indiana. It's nice to see players really commit to a school - a rarity in football and basketball. Hoeing, Thompson, Burkholder, Botsoe, and Stowers have been committed since the 2013 season.
In past two drafts, 7+ Louisville players have been drafted each year. Don't expect that to happen this year. We all know Kyle Funkhouser will hear his name called tonight - probably in the middle of the first round. Beyond that, my guess is Whiting and Zach Lucas will get picked up over the next couple days. Josh Rogers is a draft eligible sophomore, but even if a team selects him, I would expect to see him in Louisville uniform next year. Danny Rosenbaum and Mike White may get taken late, but could easily go undrafted as well. It'll be fun to see how the next couple days impact the future of Cardinal baseball.
The 2015 class just may be Dan McDonnell's best haul since he arrived in Louisville. The best class before this one (in my opinion) was in 2011 when 6 guys were drafted out of high school (Mark Biggs, Adam Schemenauer, Joe Ceja, Jared Ruxer, Nick Burdi, and Sutton Whiting). This class has the potential to top that, thanks to rich talent in IL, IN, and OH. When I refer to recruits below, I have no idea about their intentions to go pro or to college. "Signability" can make a top 5 round talent fall to into rounds 20-40 or even go undrafted.
The class is highlighted a crop of 5 HUGE pitchers ("donkeys" - to use Coach Williams' terminology), all of which are 6'4" or taller: Bryan Hoeing (Batesville, IN), Riley Thompson (Louisville, KY), Noah Burkholder (Crown Point, IN), Sam Bordner (Baltimore, OH), and Adam Wolf (Milan, OH). Hoeing and Thompson fell victim to the Tommy John epidemic in late May, so it will be interesting to see how that impacts their draft stock. It certainly improves their chances of ending up on campus. Before the injury I would have been really surprised if Hoeing didn't sign with an MLB club. Regardless of what happens, those two probably won't contribute until the 2017 season, should they end up in Louisville. All of these guys throw high 80's-low 90's with room for that to improve.
In the field, expect to see Josh Stowers (Westchester, IL) drafted at some point. Another toolsy OF from the Chicago area, a la Corey Ray. He should compete for playing time right away. Chris Botsoe (Hinsdale, IL) is very similar to Stowers though he has a smaller, more wiry frame and could benefit from some time with the UofL training staff. Another name to remember is Daniel Little (Nicholasville, KY), nephew of former Red Sox manager Grady Little. This kid is a ballplayer. He's a switch-hitter who is probably the favorite to replace Whiting at 2B next year. It is amazing how Mac and staff are able to go into Lexington every year and get some top talent. Rounding out the class is 3B Devin Mann (Columbus, IN), C Zeke Pinkham (Elizabethtown, KY), and C Patrick Rumoro (Oak Park, IL).
Credit must be given to Chris Lemonis and Kyle Cheesebrough who recruited most of these guys. But also credit the players who stayed committed to Louisville despite their departure to Indiana. It's nice to see players really commit to a school - a rarity in football and basketball. Hoeing, Thompson, Burkholder, Botsoe, and Stowers have been committed since the 2013 season.
In past two drafts, 7+ Louisville players have been drafted each year. Don't expect that to happen this year. We all know Kyle Funkhouser will hear his name called tonight - probably in the middle of the first round. Beyond that, my guess is Whiting and Zach Lucas will get picked up over the next couple days. Josh Rogers is a draft eligible sophomore, but even if a team selects him, I would expect to see him in Louisville uniform next year. Danny Rosenbaum and Mike White may get taken late, but could easily go undrafted as well. It'll be fun to see how the next couple days impact the future of Cardinal baseball.
