Seven Copperheads drafted

Seven Copperheads were drafted in this year's MLB Draft, which concluded Thursday afternoon. For the full story on the seven guys, click here. 

37 former or current Copperheads have been drafted or have inked Independent League contracts in team history, with only seven seasons in the books. I have only been around for two years, but that is a number that everyone should respect and appreciate. The Copperheads can certainly boast the phrase "Come See Tomorrow's Pros Today."

Some notes on the draft:

• For some perspective, here are the number of Copperheads taken in the last seven drafts (2003-2009): 4...2...5...4...2...6...7. Fairly consistent, but this year was the best yet. Not only does Southern Ohio get seven players drafted, but two (Marc Krauss and Jon Pokorny) are selected in the first ten rounds.
• Seven Kent State players (including Southern Ohio's Pokorny) were taken in the draft. Pretty darn good for a MAC school. That program is pretty special.
• You can read my thoughts on Krauss in a previous blog. Here are my thoughts on the three other guys (Jake Goebbert, Kevan Hess, and Ben Watkins) I have seen extensively:
• Goebbert: He has a great eye at the plate, and he will make pitchers work. The lefty has some power, but he is a gap type of hitter. I love his attitude and passion for the game. He was slowed by injuries this season, so he may return to Northwestern for his senior season. Either way, I think he can be a good prospect in the Houston system. He was the best hitter on the 2008 Copperheads, and it wasn't even that close.
• Hess: I was surprised he went this high, but he has a heck of an arm. He was not going to make it as a hitter, but he clocks in his fastball in the low 90s. This year was his first year pitching at the collegiate level, so he has plenty of room for improvement after a 2009 season that featured an 8+ ERA.
• Interesting note on Hess-he and his family (who treated the team to a meal last year during our trip to Anderson...very nice family) are Tigers fans. In fact, Hess' brother Andrew was selected by Detroit in the 19th round in 2007 and is with the Tigers' high A team (Lakeland).
• Watkins: I only saw him three times, but I liked what I saw each time. He has good control, and he DOMINATED during his senior season (7-1, 0.84 ERA, 63 Ks, four BBs) with the Mountain Cats of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. I'm glad he will get a look by a Yankees farm system that is always in need of more arms.
• Ricky Marshall, a starting pitcher on the 2008 squad, was not selected. He has one more year of eligibility left, and I know his snub affected him. He told me about two weeks ago that he was expecting to be selected, so he will be motivated for this summer.

Good luck to all seven draftees. Stay tuned for more.

- Brian