Harper one of Nine Drafted from CSN

Bryce Harper wasn't the only player from the College of Southern Nevada's Junior College World Series team to be drafted. Eight other Coyotes had their name called over the last three days. MTD already talked about Harper's college career. Here's a look at the other eight.


Donn Roach, round 3 compensation (No. 115), Angels
Must've been nice having dozens of scouts at every one of your team's games. Roach took advantage of the Harper hype, making 17 starts and compiling a WHIP barely above 1 and a 2.67 ERA while striking out 142 batters (school record) in 111 1/3 innings. This is the second time the Angels have drafted Roach. After an excellent career at Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.), Anaheim selected him in the 40th round of the '08 draft, but Roach attended the University of Arizona instead. After 20 frustrating appearances as a Wildcat, Roach transfered to CSN.


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Roach went to Arizona, so that allows me to talk about Scottsdale (AZ) Community College. What is SCC's mascot, no one was asking? The Fighting Artichokes. Fantastic.

You can purchase your Fighting Artichokes t-shirts here.


Kenny McDowall, round 8 (No. 242), Mets
Another right-hander pitcher, McDowall put a lot of runners on base-79 walks and hits in 48 2/3 IP-but also struck out 59.

Aaron Kurcz, round 10 (No. 310), Cubs
Kurcz struggled during his freshman season at the Air Force Academy, compiling an 8.10 ERA in 33 1/3 innings, but things got much better for the right-hander once he enrolled at CSN. Like Roach and McDowall, Kurcz is a strike out pitcher: he rang up 55 batters in 36 2/3 innings as the team's closer. The Cubs have been searching for a closer since 1942, so this could be a match made down the left field line.



Chasen Shreve, round 11 (No. 344), Braves
The left-hander missed seven weeks with tendinitis in his shoulder, but came back to pitch the region-clinching victory for the Coyotes. His walk total-14 in 42 innings-is encouraging, while his struck out total-52-is right in line with his CSN teammates.

Tyler Hanks, round 17 (No. 506), Nationals
Washington gobbled up Hanks with the first pick of the 17th round after the right-hander allowed nine earned runs in 46 innings (1.76 ERA) both starting and out of the bullpen. Hanks, who joins his former teammate Harper in the Nats organization, throws in the mid-90s with an above-average slider.

Jordan Keegan, round 24 (No. 728), Whitesox
Chicago drafted Keegan out of Silverado High School (Nev.) with the 1,080th pick of the 2008 draft, but he played his freshman year at CSN in 2009. After that, I can't help you. MLB.com says Keegan was drafted in the 27th round by the Whitesox, but the CSN website doesn't list him on the 2010 roster or stat sheet. I can't find any news as to Keegan's whereabouts, and frankly, I'm not sure the youngster exists, which would make this a really bad pick.

Bryan Harper, round 27 (No. 820), Cubs
Joe Robinson, round 32 (No. 958), Orioles

Surprise, surprise, two more CSN pitchers who strike out a lot of batters. Bryce's older brother was second to Roach with 96 punch outs in 65 1/3 innings, though the 29 walks, highest on the staff, are a bit troubling. He's not his brother, but 6-5 left-handed pitchers who throw in the low-90s don't dangle off gutters at Starbucks, so the older Harper could be a steal. Robinson fanned 82 in 92 2/3 innings, mostly as a starter. He's committed to transferring to the University of Georgia for the 2011 season, so that may be where the 6-2 right-hander ends up.