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FAU Baseball and the 2019 MLB Draft

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The 2019 MLB Draft will begin on June 3rd at 7:00 PM. The first round will be televised on The MLB Network, and the entire draft will be streamed at MLB.com. You can follow along on their DRAFT TRACKER as well.

Below is the three day schedule of activities and a list of Owls to keep an eye on as the action plays out.


Day 1, June 3

Round 1 - Competitive Balance Round B @ 7:00 PM EST

Day 2, June 4

Rounds 3-10 @ 1:00 PM EST

Day 3, June 5th

Rounds 11-40 @ Noon EST


Eric Rivera, Junior, Outfielder. 6-0 185. The draft eligible junior led the Owls in hits (87) and batting average (.332). Rivera has several traits that make him appealing to MLB scouts.  The West Park, Florida native is very disciplined at the plate and has shown speed on the base paths.  Rivera has had more walks then strikeouts in each of his three seasons in Boca Raton.  Last summer, while playing for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of Cape Code Summer League, Rivera hit a respectable .250 at the plate and led his team in stolen bases with 11. His speed should allow him to stay in centerfield in pro ball, and his smooth right handed swing is very intriguing.  Rivera projects to come off the board sometime during day 2 or 3 of the draft.

Francisco Urbaez, Junior, 2nd basemen. 5-11 185. This year, in his first season at FAU, Urbaez quickly made an impact. Urbaez has a powerful right handed hit tool, and finished second on the Owls with 11 home runs.  Prior to transferring to FAU, Urbaez spent his first two seasons at JuCo powerhouse Chiploa College in Marianna, Florida winning back to back JuCo National Championships.  Urbaez was named First-Team All-Panhandle Conference as a sophomore, and was named to the Panhandle Conference All-Academic Team.  Last summer, Urbaez played for the West Boca Snappers of the South Florida Collegiate League.  He was named league MVP, sporting a .397 batting average. Urbaez projects as a possible day 3 selection. In the event he goes undrafted, the talented infielder could return to FAU for his senior season.

Pedro Pages, Junior, Catcher, 6-1 234. It is very rare for a backstop to hit over .300 in multiple seasons during their college career.  Pages achieved that as a sophomore and junior.  This past season, Pages was a consistent middle of the order bat for the Owls.  Hitting .310 to go along with 6 home runs and 43 RBI. Last summer, while teammates with OF Eric Rivera in Cape Cod Summer League, Pages hit .258 and ranked 4th on the Hyannis Harbor Hawks with 17 RBI`s. Pages has the size and proven track record to attract interest from MLB clubs.  Pages could be selected as early as Day 2.

Bobby Morgensen, Junior, 6-4 215. OF.  The former Hutchinson CC star had an impressive first year at FAU.  The Junior hit .312 and led the Owls with 11 home runs in his first year at the Division I level. During his time at Hutchinson CC, Morgensen became the Hutchinson`s all-time leader in career RBI (149).  The slugger was named First Team- All Jayhawk Conference, Morgensen could garner some interest in the middle to later rounds, however a return to FAU for his senior year appears likely.

Blake Sanderson, Junior, 6-0 175. RHP. In his fourth season in Boca Raton, Sanderson became the ace of the FAU pitching staff. The Orlando native finished with a record of 8-3, with a 4.10 ERA in 16 starts.  This past season marked Sanderson`s first season as a full time starter.  His prior experience pitching out of the bullpen could help his draft stock, as he has the versatility to be used in several roles at the next level.  Sanderson is a name to watch on Day 3.

Mike Ruff, Junior, 6-2, 215. RHP. One of the anchors in the FAU rotation this past season. Leading the staff in strikeouts (92) and ranking second in wins (6). Ruff pitched very well out of the bullpen for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Summer League, sporting a 3.63 ERA in 12 appearances and did not give up a home run. Ruff`s strikeout metrics will be appealing to MLB scouts as well as his experience pitching in multiple roles.  Ruff could receive interest as early as Day 2.

Vince Coletti, Senior, 6-2, 210. RHP. The Broward County native had two phenomenal seasons pitching out of the bullpen for nearby Palm Beach State before transferring to FAU. In his first season in Boca Raton, Coletti was used as starter. However, in his senior year Coletti returned to the bullpen and found success.  Coletti`s control this past season made him a key member of the FAU bullpen. Coletti`s track record of success in relief will be appealing to teams in the later rounds.

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Awesome writeup Ryan. Have a feeling that Urbaez could go rather quickly.

When I'm not in school, I'm schooling the CUSA Twitter game; Follow Me Here
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Wouldn’t be surprised to see pages go, especially the premium that is placed on good hitting catcher with pop times like his. 


                                         ROLL OWLS
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You called it, NJOwl!

Pedro Pages is heading to St. Louis, where he will join former FAU Pitcher Austin Gomber. Pages is the first Owl to be selected in the 2019 MLB Draft.


When I'm not in school, I'm schooling the CUSA Twitter game; Follow Me Here
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Great landing spot for Catcher Pedro Pages. The St. Louis Cardinals farm system is low on catching prospects.  Only two backstops make their top 30 prospects (MLB.com.) The Cardinals have put an emphasis on adding arms to their farm early on in the draft.  Selecting a Pitcher with 5 of their first 7 selections.

The Cardinals hold their spring training complex in nearby Jupiter at Roger Dean Stadium, as well as their rookie ball team (GCL Cardinals)/ High A Affiliate ( Palm Beach Cardinals).  

The slot value for Page`s selection (#185) is 261K.  Since Pages is a junior, he still has one year of eligibility remaining.  However, it appears very likely that Pages will sign with St. Louis.
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I don't know a lot. But I kind of know baseball. Pedro is a major  league  catcher. If he stays healthy, he will  make it.
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Pitcher Mike Ruff selected in the 11th round to Colorado.




The Colorado Rockies farm system received a huge addition in Round 11 with the selection of Pitcher Mike Ruff. In recent years the Rockies scouting department have put an emphasis on drafting pitchers with size.  Ruff fits that mold.  Ruff was one of the pitching anchors that led FAU to the post season this past year.  The Rockies organization is getting a pitcher with experience as a starter and a reliever.   
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CF Eric Rivera selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 14th round.




Looking to add more athleticism to their farm, the Toronto Blue Jays selected toolsy OF Eric Rivera in round 14.  He is the second true CF to be selected by Toronto this draft (3rd rounder DaSan Brown a high school speedster from Canada).

This is a great value pick by Toronto, drafting a .330 hitter who covers lots of ground in the outfield. Rivera has shown advanced plate discipline during his career at FAU.  With one year of eligibility remaining, Rivera has the option to return to Boca Raton for his senior season, however all signs point to Rivera signing with Toronto.



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P Vince Coletti drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 17th round



The run on FAU players continues, the Oakland Athletics selected P Vince Coletti in Round 17.  The Hollywood, FL native has pitched well at multiple collegiate levels, and now will jump into the Oakland farm system.  Coletti had a fantastic career at nearby Palm Beach State and continued his success at FAU.  He has experience pitching as a starter and reliever.  Coletti`s versatility will be beneficial as he works his way up the Oakland organization.

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The Toronto Blue Jays have selected another Owl.  In the 31st round, Toronto selected Pitcher Blake Sanderson. The Orlando native could join teammate OF Eric Rivera in the Toronto system, if Rivera elects to sign.  Sanderson was key in FAU earning a spot in the postseason as he led the Owls in innings pitched, and wins.  Toronto got a steal in selecting the ace of the rotation this late in the draft
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