2005 Draft Class

(Mankato, MN) – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce the 2005 Major League draft class of the Mankato MoonDogs. This year’s class consisted of five current and 2 former MoonDogs pitchers. Kevin Dixon made MoonDogs history after being selected in the 5th round by the Cleveland Indians. This makes Dixon the highest drafted player in MoonDogs history. Other MoonDogs selected in the draft were Neil Wagner, Matt Falk, Tim Day, Derek Tarapacki, Warren Rosebrock, and Brandon Thomson. MoonDogs General Manager, Kyle Mrozek, stated, "It’s tough to think some of these guys may have put the MoonDogs jersey on for the last time, but that’s why this league was created. The purpose of the league is to help college athlete’s take that next step to professional ball and give them an advantage over those players who didn’t get the Northwood’s League experience. I am ecstatic for each player and wish them all the best of luck.”

KEVIN DIXON
Round: 5
Overall Pick: 154
Team: Cleveland Indians
School: Minnesota State University-Mankato
Position: Pitcher (rhp)

The 2004 Northwoods League Home Run Derby Champion, was returning this season for his second stint with the MoonDogs. One of the MoonDogs All-Stars in 2004, Dixon was tied for the team lead in saves (4) and showed amazing control walking only nine batters while striking out 47 with a fastball topping out above 90 mph. Dixon also was the 2005 North Central Conference MVP, an All-NCC First Team Selection, and a Second Team All-Central Region pick. As a pitcher for the Mavericks this past season, he led MSU with a 1.17 ERA and tied the school record with 20 appearances. In the batters box he broke the MSU school record for homeruns with 19.

NEIL WAGNER
Round: 21
Overall Pick: 634
Team: Cleveland Indians
School: North Dakota State University
Position: Pitcher (rhp)

Neil Wagner is currently in his second MoonDogs season. Known purely as a power pitcher, Wagner showed fans the meaning of the word fastball, being clocked at 95 mph. Racking up 38 strikeouts and tying for the team lead in saves (4), Neil proved to be very effective out of the MoonDogs bullpen. This season for the MoonDogs, he has been lights out. Appearing in 4 games he has 9 strikeouts in 5 innings and has yet to allow an earned run.

MATT FALK
Round: 28
Overall Pick: 838
Team: Tampa Bay Devil Rays
School: University of San Diego
Position: Pitcher (rhp)

After two season as a position player at UC Irvine, Matt Falk transferred to the University of San Diego where he registered eight saves and posted a 2.38 ERA in 30 appearances out of the bullpen in his first year with the Torero’s. He was also drafted in 2002 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 38th round. Falk was a member of the MoonDogs in 2004 where he appeared in 3 games as a pitcher.

TIM DAY
Round: 34
Overall Pick: 1025
Team: Chicago White Sox
School: Michigan State
Position: Pitcher (rhp)

After being named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2002, Day had high expectations to live up to. In his freshman year, he set a Michigan State single season mark for wins with 11. He was second on the team with 5 complete games and posted a 2.43 ERA in Big Ten action. However, an injury, resulting in Tommy John surgery in 2004, kept Day from seeing the field that season. The next year, Day bounced back and re-established himself as the workhorse for the Michigan State pitching staff and led the team with 70.1 innings pitched. In addition to his impressive determination and statistics, Day’s character on the field has been acknowledged with the Craig Hendricks Sportsmanship Award in 2003.

DEREK TARAPACKI
Round: 35
Overall Pick: 1046
Team: Toronto Blue Jays
School: Yavapai
Position: Pitcher (rhp)

Derek Tarapacki truly has what is known as closer-quality stuff. He racked up a 3-1 record with 5 saves for Yavapai Junior College. What is really exciting about Tarapacki is how un-hittable he was this past season. He posted a minute 1.17 ERA and held batters to a diminutive .140 batting average. The right hander also sent 21 hitters packing to the dugout in 23 innings. Tarapacki has already appeared in 10.2 innings in 4 games for the MoonDogs this season. He’s currently sporting a 3.38 ERA with 10 strikeouts.

WARREN ROSEBROCK
Round: 41
Overall Pick: 1,237
Team: Texas Rangers
School: Sacramento State
Position: Pitcher (rhp)

Warren Rosebrock just finished up his fourth season at Sacramento State. He was used mainly out of the bullpen, making a career high 24 appearances during his senior campaign. Rosebrock played 2 years with the MoonDogs in 2003 and 2004. In 2003 for the ‘Dogs, he posted a 2.97 ERA in 30.1 innings including 2 complete games. He carried his success into his second season with the MoonDogs appearing in 8 games with 25 strikeouts in 29.2 innings of work.

BRANDON THOMSON
Round: 46
Overall Pick: 1,364
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
School: Gilbert-Chandler Community College
Position: Pitcher (lhp)

Thomson was drafted by the Padres in the 15th round of the 2004 draft. In that year he was named to the Connie Mack World Series All-Tournament Team and was the Fiesta Region Pitcher of the Year. Deciding to stay in school, he made 14 appearances and 13 starts this past season with a record of 7-3 for Gilbert-Chandler Community College. Pitching a team leading 75 innings, Thomson struck out 65 batters with a 3.48 ERA. As the number two starter for the MoonDogs, Thomson has appeared in two games striking 7 batters out in 8 innings.

The MoonDogs extend their congratulations to all of these fine young men. Right now is an exciting time for the players and the club. To see some of this years MLB draftee’s, stop on out to "The Frank” on Sunday, June 12, when the MoonDogs return home to take on the Brainerd Blue Thunder at 6:05. For tickets, call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.