17 June, 2005

166 ex-Cape Leaguers selected in big league draft

The Cape League matched last year's record total of 166 players selected in last week's Major League Baseball draft.

The total included 21 Cape Leaguers selected in the first two rounds, with 10 in the first round and three more in the supplemental round. There were 84 chosen in the top 10 rounds and 106 total in the 18 rounds completed on June 7. Sixty more were chosen in rounds 19 through 50 the following day.

Third baseman Ryan Braun (Miami), who hit .318 for Cotuit in 2002 and played for Brewster in 2004, was the top Cape League player selected with the fifth overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Hard-throwing pitcher Wade Townsend (Rice) of Wareham was picked eighth by Tampa Bay, while outfielder Trevor Crowe (Arizona) of Y-D was picked 14th by Cleveland.

Two former Cape Leaguers went in the first round to the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Speedy outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (Oregon State) of Falmouth was the 23rd pick, followed three picks later by top reliever Craig Hansen (St. John's) of Chatham.

Radio Game of the Week begins Monday 

The Cape League Radio Game of the Week on PIXY 103 (102.9 FM) begins Monday with the Brewster Whitecaps at Harwich Mariners game. The broadcast begins with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.

Larry Egan of Cool 102 will call the play-by-play, and John Garner will provide the color.

The game will also be broadcast on www,capecodbaseball.org and the Harwich Mariners website. This game is part of a package that also includes the All-Star Game in Hyannis and league playoffs.