MANKATO, MINN.- The Mankato MoonDogs, a member of the Northwoods League is proud to announce that a total of eleven MoonDogs were selected over the weekend in the 2013 Major League Baseball Entry Draft.
This success at the draft continues a tradition of excellence for the MoonDogs and the Northwoods League, as current and former players dotted the draft sheets from the first round on Thursday to the late rounds on Saturday. The eleven draftees bring the Mankato’s total to 89 MoonDogs drafted over the last five seasons.
The Draft was in the minds of the talented 2013 MoonDogs roster throughout the past week, and when the dust settled four current MoonDogs heard their names called by a Major League franchise. The first MoonDog selected was shortstop David Masters (Central Arizona), picked 436st overall in the 14th round by the Washington Nationals. The Vaqueros were well represented as Central Arizona pitcher Ricky Jacquez was selected by the New York Mets with the 746th pick in the 25th round.
Third Baseman Ryan Tuntland (West Virginia) went to the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants in the 29th round as the 882nd pick, and pitcher Rob Cerfolio (Yale) rounded out a successful draft for the 2013 MoonDogs as he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 34th round with the 1024th pick.
Along with the four current Mankato draftees, six MoonDog alumni were picked up by Major League teams. A pair of former MoonDogs went in the 15th round, as 2011 shortstop James Roberts (USC) got nabbed by the Cleveland Indians with the 441st pick and eight selections later 2011 catcher Max Rossiter (Arizona St.) got selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Craig Massoni (Austin Peay) went to the Giants in the 33rd round as the 1002nd pick. The 2012 alum could potentially be united with Tuntland and 2005 MoonDog Brandon Crawford to create a trio of MoonDogs in San Francisco.
Other past MoonDogs selected were 2011 second baseman James McDonald (Arizona St.), picked in the 18th round by the L.A. Dodgers, 2012 outfielder Chad Christensen (Nebraska) who was picked by the Twins in the 25th round, 2012 pitcher Trey Nielson who went in the 30th round to the St. Louis Cardinals, and 2010-2011 pitcher Alex Blackford who was picked up by the Los Angeles Angels in the 37th round.
The eleven MoonDogs selected were part of another extremely successful draft for the Northwoods League, who saw 148 of their current and former players drafted. Four Northwoods Leaguers went in the first round, including Willmar Stingers shortstop Hunter Dozier who was the eighth overall selection to Kansas City.
The Mankato MoonDogs would like to congratulate all the current and former players selected, especially 2013 MoonDogs Ricky Jacquez and David Masters who signed professional contracts and will be leaving Mankato. We wish them all luck as they chase their big league dreams.
The MoonDogs return to Franklin Rogers Park on Tuesday, June 11 against the Willmar Stingers for Bark in the Park Night presented by BENCHS. Any fan that brings their dog to the game gets in free. Season and single game tickets are on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information visit our website at mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.