Former La Crosse Logger pitcher Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast) will go into the record books at the first Northwoods League alumnus drafted in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The Chicago White Sox took the junior left-hander with the 13th overall pick of the first round. In all eight former Northwoods League players were selected in the top 100.
This marks the seventh consecutive draft that has included Northwoods League alumni in the first round or the compensation portion of the first round that takes place prior to round two. In this year’s compensation round Mike Kvasnicka (Minnesota), a 2009 Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers all-star, was selected 33rd overall by the Houston Astros. Kvasnicka, who often plays in right field, was drafted as a catcher.
Three NWL alumni went in the second round. Ryan LaMarre (Michigan) is an outfielder that played for the Alexandria Beetles in 2009. Jacob Petricka (Indiana State) is a right-handed pitcher that saw his draft stock rise lately after increasing his velocity to the mid-90s. Drew Smyly (Arkansas) spent the summer of 2009 with the Duluth Huskies.
The third round saw three more NWL alumni chosen. Second baseman Austin Wates (Virginia Tech) played with the Rochester Honkers in 2008. Devin Lohman (Long Beach State) was a shortstop for the Eau Claire Express in 2007. Rob Brantly (UC-Riverside) won the Northwoods League batting title in 2009 playing for the La Crosse Loggers.
