Major League baseball draft may be on tap for locals
When the three-day-long Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft gets underway Thursday afternoon, there will at least be a few local viewers hoping to hear their names called.
The first round will commence Thursday at 4 p.m. PDT with the second and lottery rounds continuing on the first day. Friday’s action begins at 10 a.m. and will include rounds three through 10, while Saturday’s conclusion of rounds 11 through 40 will begin at 9 a.m.
Perhaps two of the area’s bigger prospects are former Crescenta Valley High standout Elliot Surrey and Glendale Community College slugger Jared Akins.
Surrey just completed a four-year run at UC Irvine in which the left-handed pitcher was named to the All-Big West Conference second team this season.
Surrey was 4-6 this year with a 3.65 earned-run average with 65 strikeouts versus 26 walks in 91 1/3 innings. For his career, Surrey posted a 19-17 mark with a 3.31 ERA and 239 punchouts.
“I think he might have a chance to get drafted on the second day,” Crescenta Valley Coach Phil Torres said of Surrey. “Elliot was a big-time pitcher. He was UCI’s Friday night starter, so he had their big starts.”
Akins just completed a strong sophomore season as the outfielder batted .379 with six home runs, 36 runs batted in, nine doubles, 18 walks, 14 stolen bases and a .468 on-base percentage. He was also named the Western State Conference South Division Player of the Year.
“Jared had a couple of pre-draft workouts and obviously since he’s been in our program, he’s really developed a lot,” GCC Coach Chris Cicuto said. “It just kind of depends on where guys see him in their organization. His skill set is so high.
“He’s left-handed, he really runs, plays good defense and he’s extremely young for his class. All those things are really appealing for major league teams.”
Akins is one of two prospects who shined at Glendale and also with the Arroyo Seco Saints summer baseball program.
The other player is right-handed hurler Keaton Leach, who finished up his senior season with UC Riverside.
Leach made 18 appearances, almost all out of the bullpen, and finished with a 1-1 record, a 2.90 ERA gained over 40 1/3 innings with 28 strikeouts and 14 walks.
“I think it would be awesome if Jared or Keaton were drafted,” said Arroyo Seco General Manager Aaron Milam, a former St. Francis High Coach. “I think it’s big for the program, for the area.”
Cal State Northridge senior pitcher Angel Rodriguez may also receive a call this weekend.
The GCC product was 5-4 this concluded season with a 3.07 ERA garnered over 82 innings with 70 strikeouts and 18 walks.
“I think someone will take a look at Angel and maybe some team will take a chance,” Cicuto said. “If he isn’t drafted, I think he can be a post-draft signee. He may have a chance to play professionally next year.”
