By Kathleen Szmit
kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com

When Major League Baseball held the 2007 draft last week – the first ever to be televised – one thing was clear: if you played for the Cape Cod Baseball League you stood a great chance of seeing your name on the draftee list.

Seven Cape Cod Baseball Leaguers were taken in the first round alone, with a whopping 203 overall, but it was a Cotuit Kettleer who claimed one of the top spots.

Daniel Moskos, formerly of Clemson, was number four in the pick, taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 6’1” southpaw pitcher has a fastball that’s been clocked as high as 96 mph and was referred to on the MLB website scouting report as “one of the, if not the top, college reliever in the draft class.”

Another Kettleer chosen in the first round (No. 26) was James Simmons, taken by the Oakland Athletics as their top choice. Simmons had a miniscule 1.18 ERA, the third in the Cape League, in 53.1 innings he pitched for the Cotuit Kettleers in 2006. 

Simmons, who attended UC Riverside, is an imposing 6’4” and boasts in the 88 to 92 mph range for his fastball. According to his MLB scouting report, “Simmons relies on outstanding control of his fastball. He also throws his change-up consistently for strikes.”

2005 Kettleer Julio Borbon came in at No. 35 overall and was chosen by the Rangers. Borbon, a lefty outfielder, is known for his speed, going 34 for 43 in stolen bases at the University of Tennessee.

The Padres snagged Kellen Kulbacki, who was a strong outfielder for the Kettleers in 2006. Number 40 overall, Kulbacki is known for his power at bat. “Kulbacki had a huge sophomore season when he hit .464 with 24 home runs,” read his MLB report. “It’s definitely his bat that will carry him and it should carry him quite far.”

From the Mets, Matt Mangini was number 52 on the overall list, chosen by the Seattle Mariners. Mangini, a CCBL All-Star, was an impressive hitter for the Mets in 2006.

Overall, both Barnstable teams fared well in the draft, each with a list of players named. Cotuit players who garnered MLB attention were Moskos, Simmons, Kulbacki, Eric Farris (Brewers), Cory Gearrin (Braves), Kyle Russell (Cardinals), Jeffrey Rea (Cubs), Tony Thomas (Cubs), Shane Mathews (Orioles), Emeel Salem (Devil Rays), Matt Angle (Orioles), Dan Runzler (Giants), Tim Ladd (Braves), Jeff Dunbar (Mariners), Gary Perinar (Tigers), Josh Johnson (Devil Rays), Bryan Harris (Mariners), David Duncan (Nationals), Dan Albritton (White Sox), Josh Hula (Pirates), Wilson Tucker (Royals), Jayson Brown (Angels) and Shayne Jordan (Giants).

Hyannis Mets players named to the list included Mangini, Charlie Furbush (Tigers), Randy Boone (Blue Jays), Adrian Alaniz (Nationals), Matt Angle (Orioles), Aaron Brown (Mariners), Milan Dinga (Angels), Josh Collmenter (Diamondbacks), Ramon Corona (Giants) Adam Reifer (Cardinals), Chris Ingoglia (Marlins), Andy D’Alessio (Giants), Stephen Prolier (Athletics), Brian Juhl (Indians), Alex Hale (Angels), and Daniel Latham (Twins).