Major League Baseball has decided to upgrade its place in the professional meat market, moving its amateur draft to a made-for-TV event, starting today and running through Thursday.
Which Colorado schoolboy, if any, will be a prime-time diamond choice?
The best guess would be Rocky Mountain’s Jake Stewart, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound center fielder. Stewart batted .544 with 12 home runs and 56 RBIs this spring for the Class 5A state champion Lobos. He has signed a letter of intent with Stanford.
“It’s a great dilemma,” said Stewart, who referred to Stanford as more than a fallback plan. “I’m definitely comfortable signing if it’s the right time. Ultimately, my dream is to play professional baseball.”
Said Rocky Mountain coach Scott Bullock: “He may have a decision to make. He’s a freaky athlete who’s a great leader and a mature kid. He’s the whole package.”
Eaton’s Bennett Pickar and Arapahoe’s Justin Byrd are regarded as intriguing catching prospects. In the outfield, Cherokee Trail’s Micah Green and Chaparral’s Pat Hirschberg also have commanded attention.
