Baseball Factory Alumni Succeeding to Start Pro Careers: Rounds 36-40
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 36-40, 35 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.
Justin Camp: Kansas City Royals (37th round, 1123 overall), RHP
In his first 21 innings with Kansas City’s rookie ball team, Justin Camp owns impressive statistics. The 23-year-old righty owns a 1.29 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP with 19 strikeouts.
Baseball Factory coaches saw Camp at the Team One South Showcase in 2010.
Brian McAfee: Tampa Bay Rays (38th round, 1140 overall), RHP
In 10 total appearances, including two starts, Brian McAfee owns a 2.10 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP so far in his pro ball career. With Tampa Bay’s rookie team, the 23-year-old righty has struck out 22 batters, compared to only two walks, in 25.2 innings pitched.
McAfee attended a College PREP in Costa Mesa, California.
Joe Johnson: Baltimore Orioles (40th round, 1201 overall), RHP
Drafted out of Erskine College, Joe Johnson is continuing his collegiate success with Baltimore’s rookie ball team so far. In 12.1 innings pitched, the 22-year-old owns a 1.46 ERA and a 12.4 SO/9 rate.
Baseball Factory coaches saw Johnson at a National Tryout in Gaffney, South Carolina.
Taylor Kaczmarek: Kansas City Royals (40th round, 1213 overall), RHP
In 2010, Taylor Kaczmarek was drafted in the 50th and last round of the MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2012, Taylor Kaczmarek was drafted in the 40th and last round of the draft by the Kansas City Royals. Four years later, the righty was drafted once again by the Kansas City Royals in the 40th round. At 24 years old, Kaczmarek already has three wins in his first 10.2 innings pitched without giving up a run.
Kaczmarek was an Under Armour Preseason All America in 2009 and he also played in the Team One Futures Showcase.