Easterners finally tabbed on day three of MLB draft
- Updated: June 12, 2016
2016 EAST COUNTY PREP BASEBALL DRAFT
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-12-16) — After being blanked in the first two days of the Major League Baseball draft, the East County finally struck oil.
Six East County athletes have been selected in the final 30 rounds of the amateur draft, which concluded Friday (June 10).
The early phone call to a local athlete came to Granite Hills senior pitcher ANDREW BROWN from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 13th round. Brown was the 377th pick overall after posting a 9-3 record and a 1.37 ERA for the San Diego Section Division I Granite Hills Eagles.
Brown, who had a scholarship to Central Arizona Community College, is a sure bet to sign with the Fightin’ Phils. He could join the organization along with another player from San Diego – Mickey Moniak – the La Costa Canyon star who was drafted No. 1 overall on Thursday.
“This is something I’ve definitely dreamed of,” said Brown. “I’ve been working hard and have had a lot of support from my family and friends.”
Others selected in the draft include Steele Canyon outfielder AVERY TUCK, Nevada outfielder TRENTON BROOKS, University of Arizona pitcher KEVIN GINKEL and Grossmont High/San Diego City College/Faulkner University pitcher MARK VASQUEZ.
Tuck went in the 26th round to the Houston Astros. Brooks, from Granite Hills/Nevada was taken in the 17th round by the Cleveland Indians. Right-handed pitcher Vasquez is a 33rd round pick of the Texas Rangers.
Ginkel, El Capitan/Southwestern College was the 22nd round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is the third time Ginkel has been drafted. In 2014 he was selected in the 16th round by the San Francisco Giants but did not sign. A year later he was selected in the 26th round by the Boston Red Sox but did not ink a contract.
Ginkel, who posted a 4-1 record, a 2.82 ERA and 3 saves during the regular season. Ginkel performed at his best in the final rung of the NCAA regional tournament, picking up the save as the Wildcats forced a final game, then logged a 5 1/3 inning start on later that day.
Vasquez
Vasquez was 11-0 with a 1.72 ERA for the Faulkner Eagles, who lost the NAIA championship game to Lewis & Clark 12-11. Vasquez was suspended by the team for a violation of team rules prior to the NAIA World Series, however.
The Houston brass said it will be hard to sign Tuck, who has been the mystery man all year. Some scouts have him rated as a first-round pick prior to the season, while others showed little or no interest.
Tuck has made it clear that he wants to play college baseball at San Diego State University. Considering the cutoff line for big money is $100,000, Tuck cast his future with the Aztecs.
Meanwhile pitcher/outfielder Brooks drove in 42 runs with 14 doubles, and went 6-5 as a pitcher with a 5.56 ERA at Nevada this season.
