Six of the 20 had participated in the Northwoods League’s Major League Dreams Showcase
Rochester, Minn. – The 2020 Major League First-Year Player Draft was held June 10 through June 11. This year’s draft was shortened to five rounds.
The highest pick in this year’s draft was Garrett Mitchell, a junior outfielder from UCLA. Mitchell was picked in the 1st round by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 20th overall pick. Mitchell played for the Mankato MoonDogs in 2018. Former Wisconsin Woodchucks infielder Nick Loftin, from Baylor, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 32nd pick of the draft in the competitive balance A round.
“With so many of our players selected, and having the Northwoods League so well-represented in this year’s draft, it really brings the focus back to the important role this kind of development has in making a player’s dream of playing in the big leagues come true,” said Northwoods League President and Commissioner Gary Hoover. “The Northwoods League congratulates the players for their achievements, and we look forward to watching the great things they will do going forward.”
Of the 20 players drafted six of them had played in the Northwoods League Major League Dreams Showcase. The Major League Dreams Showcase brings together 100 of the Northwoods League’s top prospects to form four teams for a day of scouting workouts and double-header action. Played in front of Major League scouts, the Showcase provides an invaluable platform for players looking to one day make it into the professional ranks. Participating players are hand-selected by a panel of MLB scouts, distinguishing this event from the more traditional All-Star Game format that features representatives from every team.
The Kalamazoo Growlers had a league-high, five players drafted this year. The highest pick for the Growlers was left-handed pitcher Sam Weatherly from Clemson. Weatherly was selected by the Rockies in the third round. The Wisconsin Woodchucks had three former players selected and La Crosse, Mankato and Madison had two selections each. The Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies and the Seattle Mariners each selected two former Northwoods League plyers.
The full list of 2020 NWL draftees can be found by going to www.northwoodsleague.com and clicking the League Info link at the top of the page and then select NWL Alumni and Draft Highlights.
As the Northwoods League looks to start play in 2020, fans everywhere can take advantage of a free 3-day trial of the Northwoods League’s video streaming service June 15-17 that will show North Dakota “pod” games played in the Bismarck Larks’ “nest” – Bismarck Municipal Ballpark. Games are viewable on PC or on mobile devices, tablets, and select smart TV services. More information can be found on the league website.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now entering its’ 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.