America East Players Getting Started in MLB Minor Leagues

Read Time:2 Minute, 9 Second

When the college baseball season came to an end, three members of the America East Conference set their sights on the Major League Baseball entry draft. Quinn McDaniels of the Maine Black Bears and two members of the Bryant College Bulldogs, Colman Picard, and Brett Winchrowski, had their dreams realized by hearing their names called during the draft that took place in Seattle during the All-Star week. For the league, the news continues to demonstrate that good baseball is being played in this conference during the spring. Scouts are starting to take notice. Which should only help the rest of the schools in this league to get their players noticed.

Quinn McDaniels helped the Black Bears to back-to-back America East regular season titles. This past spring he slashed .354/.513/.688 in helping Maine win the tournament championship as well and with it a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Maine was placed in the Coral Gables Regional. After the tournament was over, McDaniels was just getting started. He headed to a combine workout that was designed to give scouts a last look at players they may be interested in. The San Francisco Giants liked what they saw and they drafted him in the fifth round with the 153rd pick. He was signed to a contract that included a $300,450 bonus. McDaniels reported to the Arizona Complex League Black team. In 15 games his slash line was .273/.492/.523. with three home runs and 11 RBI. He stole five bases and was not caught. McDaniels has since been promoted to the San Jose Giants in Low-A ball. His promotion came on August 23.

Bryant College had two members of this spring’s pitching staff drafted. First RHP Coleman Picard was selected in the sixth round, #169 by the Kansas City Royals. He was signed on August 13 and assigned to the Arizona Complex League the next day. He has appeared in two games for the Royals, throwing three innings, allowing a hit and an earned run, three walks, and five strikeouts. Teams are hitting .100 against him so far. He has no record with an ERA of 3.00. He was signed to a $345,500 signing bonus. RHP Brett Winchowski was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the thirteenth round, #392. He was signed by the team on July 19 and was assigned to the Arizona Complex Brewers on August 3. Was activated on that day. He has yet to make an appearance on the mound for the Brewers. His signing bonus was $100, 000 dollars.