There has been a Ball State University baseball player taken in the Major League Baseball draft every year since 1996. Baseball America on Wednesday tabbed three Cardinals who will likely join them someday soon.
Junior Kolbrin Vitek and sophomores Perci Garner and Nathan Koontz were named to the national publication's top prospects list for summer college leagues and Team USA. Baseball America ranked the top 10 prospects in 17 summer leagues, as well as the top 20 Team USA players and the top 30 prospects from the renowned Cape Cod League.
Vitek was listed as the top prospect from the Great Lakes League, where he became the first Triple Crown winner in 23 years and was named All-Star Game MVP. He also won the Gary Henschen Award as the league's player of the year and the Ron Miller Award as the league's top position prospect. Vitek pitched and played third base for Ball State this year, but played second base during the summer. At the plate he hit .400 with six home runs and 38 RBIs in the three-month-long league.
The Cardinals' ace did not pitch at all during the summer due to a fatigued shoulder. Baseball America said Vitek profiles more as a corner infielder, but scouts are also interested in his low-90s fastball.
Garner also played in the Great Lakes League where Baseball America ranked him as the second-best prospect. He won the Tony Lucadella Top Right-handed Pitching Prospect Award after striking out 16 batters in 12 innings. Garner's rise has been tremendous following his return to baseball this year after spending two years as a backup quarterback on the Cardinals' football team. His mid-90s fastball make him an appealing prospect.
Koontz, an outfielder, was listed as ninth best in the New York Collegiate Baseball League. He hit .281 with two home runs and 29 RBI. In his freshman season for the Cardinals, Koontz hit .273 with nine RBIs in 23 games.
Ball State was one of two Mid-American Conference teams with players listed by Baseball America and were the only MAC school with multiple prospects recognized. University of Toledo shortstop Jared Hoying ranked seventh in the Great Lakes League.
The Cardinals start their season with a three-game series at the University of Arkansas beginning Feb. 19.
Recently signed Ball State baseball draft picks:2009:- Jeremy Hazelbaker, CF - 4th round (Red Sox) - Brenden Stines, P - 33rd round (Astros) 2008: - Dean Anna, SS - 26th round (Padres) - Kyle Heyne, RHP - 32nd round (Padres)
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