The First ’09 Pros

Most of the Cape’s 2009 stars will begin the next stage of their careers in 2010. But a few who were drafted this year before making a stop on the Cape are already pros.

By my count, there were 39 players drafted in 2009 who were on the Cape. Fifteen of them ended up signing, and one player also signed as a free agent. Chad Bell and Kendal Volz signed but did not make their official debuts.

As for the guys who did make their way to the professional ranks, here’s a rundown of how they did once they left the Cape. The standouts based on numbers: Jorge Reyes and Alex Hassan, both of Orleans.

Chris Dwyer – LHP – Cotuit – Royals (Fourth Round)
The lefty from Clemson was in a unique situation. Because of an extra year early in his education and a year at prep school, he was eligible for the draft after his freshman season with the Tigers. There was a lot of speculation that he wasn’t quite ready for the next level and could do with more time in school, but his upside was so big that he went in the fourth round. He made one start for Cotuit this summer, striking out nine in five shutout innings. He left the Cape soon after and signed with the Royals. He then made four short starts for the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Rookie Pioneer League. He finished with a 4.15 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 8.2 innings.

Caleb Cotham – RHP – Brewster – Yankees (Fifth Round)
Cotham had a great 2008 summer with Brewster before a shorter stay this summer. But I think the former Vandy star got what he needed. In four appearances, he didn’t allow a run in 13 innings and struck out 15. He ended up signing with the Yankees for a $675,000 bonus. He was assigned to the Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League, where he made three appearances. He struck out eight in eight innings of work and had a 3.38 ERA.

Nate Baker – RHP – Brewster – Pirates (Fifth Round)
Baker took the same route as Cotham, making a brief appearance in Brewster, where he allowed three earned runs in nine innings. After signing with the Pirates, he also headed to the New York-Penn League and had a solid showing. In six appearances — one start — he had a 1.69 ERA, with nine strikeouts.

Chris Wade – SS – Harwich – Marlins (11th Round)
Wade, a shortstop from Kentucky, wasn’t around all that long this summer, playing in 13 games for Harwich early in the season. After signing with the Marlins, he headed to the New York-Penn League’s Jamestown Jammers. He hit .277 in 47 games, with a nice OBP of .356.

Jake Goebbert – OF – Harwich – Astros (13th Round)
Goebbert spent even less time in Harwich than Wade, playing in only three games. His next stop was also the New York-Penn League, where he suited up with the Tri-City ValleyCats. Goebbert hit .238 with 15 extra-base hits in 59 games.

Jorge Reyes – RHP – Orleans – Padres (17th Round)
Reyes had an up-and-down career at Oregon State, but his final performances as an amateur were great and so were his first performances as a pro. Reyes had a 1.06 ERA for Orleans. He would have been second in the league in ERA if he had qualified. After signing with the Padres, Reyes moved to the Class A Advanced California League and didn’t miss a beat. He made three starts for the Lake Elsinore Storm and posted a 1.38 ERA, striking out 13 in 12 innings.

Alex Hassan – OF – Orleans – Red Sox (20th Round)
Hassan had two pretty solid Cape League season, and his second one helped pave the way for a contract with the Red Sox. A two-way player, Hassan was drafted as a pitcher, but this article on Baseball Beginnings says the Red Sox changed their tune as they watched him on the Cape. After signing, Hassan focused on hitting in his pro debut and did it well. Playing for the Lowell Spinners of the New York-Penn League, he hit .333 in 26 games.

Austin Hudson – RHP – Hyannis – Mariners (27th Round)
In three seasons on the Cape, Hudson put up significantly better numbers than he did in his time at Central Florida. After posting a 3.26 ERA this year in his final Cape League summer, he signed with the Mariners. He then reported to the Rookie Arizona League, where he made eight appearances. He finished with a 5.25 ERA.

Matt Packer – LHP – Orleans – Indians (32nd Round)
Packer had a busy summer. It started with Virginia’s trip to the College World Series. He then headed to the Cape, where he put up a 1.90 ERA for Orleans. Finally, he joined the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York-Penn League. He worked out of the bullpen for five appearances and turned in a 2.38 ERA. He struck out 13 in 11.1 innings and only walked one.

Brandon May – INF – Cotuit – Cubs (36th Round)
May played about half the season for the Kettleers and didn’t have a great go of it with the bat, finishing with a .155 average. After signing with the Cubs, he reported to the Rookie Arizona League. He played only seven games there but hit .296. Interestingly, the Cubs are trying him at catcher. He didn’t play there once for the Kettleers.

Pete Kennelly – RHP – Chatham – Twins (38th Round)
The righty from Fordham made a nice early impression for Chatham, striking out 11 in 11 scoreless innings. He was a temporary player and once the regulars arrived, Kennelly left Chatham and couldn’t hook on with another team. But he did get himself a contract with the Twins and put up solid numbers in his debut. He made 12 relief appearances in the Rookie Appalachian League, and finished with a 2.01 ERA.

Ricky Bowen – RHP – Bourne/Cotuit – Reds (43rd Round)
Bowen made one appearance for Bourne before hooking on with Cotuit. After signing with the Reds, he headed West to the Rookie Pioneer League. Playing for the Billings Mustangs he had a 6.28 ERA in 12 appearances.

Dan Butler – C – Y-D/Brewster – Red Sox (Free Agent)
Butler’s strong performance on the Cape helped him net a free agent contract with the Red Sox. He went to the New York-Penn League and hit .179 for the Lowell Spinners.

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