Baseball Factory Alumni Succeeding to Start Pro Careers: Rounds 26-30
With the MLB First Year Player Draft almost two months in the rearview, players who were once high school and college phenoms are now professional baseball players. In rounds 26-30, 32 Baseball Factory alumni were chosen.
Let’s take a look at some of the players who have gotten off to promising starts of their young pro careers.
Colyn O’Connell: Detroit Tigers (26th round, 775 overall), RHP
Colyn O’Connell already has three wins in his first nine appearances in pro ball. With Detroit’s rookie ball team, the righty owns a 3-1 record with a 3.66 ERA, while striking out nearly a guy an inning.
Baseball Factory coaches saw O’Connell at the Team One Futures Game in 2010.
Derek Jenkins: Los Angeles Angels (26th round, 786 overall), OF
Playing both center field and left field for LA’s rookie team, Derek Jenkins is hitting .273 with a .342 on-base percentage. In 19 games, the 22-year-old has eight RBI and 10 stolen bases.
Jenkins has played in a National Tryout in Green Isle, Minnesota, and a College PREP in Trenton, New Jersey.
Parker Bugg: Miami Marlins (27th round, 803 overall), RHP
Starting the season with Miami’s Short-Season-A affiliate, Batavia, Parker Bugg earned three saves in 13.1 innings pitched. His performance with Batavia earned him a promotion to Low-A Greensboro, where the for LSU standout has pitched to a 0.00 ERA in seven innings pitched, allowing only two hits.
After seeing Bugg at a National Tryout in San Diego, California, Baseball Factory coaches also saw him at the Omaha Pro Select Training and Tournament. Bugg also played in the Under Armour Preseason All-America in 2011 and the Team One West Showcase in 2011.
Alex Kline: Philadelphia Phillies (29th round, 857 overall), LHP
In his first 15 innings with Short-Season-A Williamsport, Alexander Kline owns a 2-0 record. The southpaw has pitched better than his ERA, which currently sits at 4.20. The 22-year-old is striking out 10.8 batter per nine, while allowing only 4.8 hits per nine.
Kline participated in the 2012 Under Armour Southeast Championships and the 2012 Under Armour Memorial Classic.
Quin Grogan: Minnesota Twins (30th round, 903 overall), RHP
Playing for both of Minnesota’s rookie ball teams, Quin Grogan has had success with both clubs. The 23-year-old owns a 3.57 ERA in 17.2 innings pitched, while striking out 10.2 batters per nine.
Baseball Factory coaches saw Grogan at a National Tryout in Monmouth, Oregon, and at the Christmas Camp and Tournament in 2008.