(Note: all content and extensive research on this page courtesy of CB360’s Pete LaFleur, please credit accordingly … also note that an in-depth look at the wild 2016 college baseball postseason, including Coastal Carolina’s historic CWS title, is forthcoming on CollegeBaseball360.com … and be sure to follow along on Twitter via @CB360updates for notes on college baseball, MLB All-Star ties, etc.)

Buster Posey – who transitioned from middle infield to catcher later in his college career at Florida State – has developed into an All-Star starting catcher and three-time World Series champ with San Francisco.

One year ago among the 2015 All-Star selections, the ratio was even more significant – as there were nearly twice as many (41) who played college baseball compared to those who went straight to pro baseball from high school (22), plus 13 foreign-based players among the 2015 All-Stars. Similarly, the 2014 All-Stars included 33 college baseball products, 19 straight-from-high school and 29 foreign-based products.

Click on the links below to see releases similar to this one for the previous two MLB All-Star Games:
> 2015
> 2014

Here is a basic breakdown of the All-Stars from the past three seasons (2014–16):
• 2014: 33 college … 19 HS … 29 foreign
• 2015 41 college … 22 HS … 13 foreign
• 2016: 29 college … 24 HS … 25 foreign
> 2004–16: 103 college … 65 HS … 67 foreign-based

As shown in the breakdown above, nearly half (44%; 103 of 235) of the total All-Stars spanning the past three seasons have been college products (compared to only 28% that entered pro ball directly from high school and another 28% who are foreign-based).

Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs/University of San Diego)

Most of the college baseball alums among the 2016 All-Stars are former Division I players (25 of 29), plus one former Division II player and three who entered pro ball directly from junior college.

For the third straight year, a toss around the National League starting infield will touch the gloves of several different college baseball alums – Giants catcher Buster Posey (Florida State), Blue Jays 2B Ben Zobrist (Dallas Baptist) and Cubs 3B Kris Bryant (Univ. of San Diego). … A year ago, the 2015 NL infield starters also included Posey, plus Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt (Texas State), Rockies 2B DJ Le Mahieu (LSU; inj. replacement for fellow former college player Dee Gordon) and Reds 3B Todd Frazier (Rutgers). … And in 2014, the NL infield starters included Goldschmidt, Phillies 2B Chase Utley (UCLA), Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki (Long Beach State) and Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (Louisiana-Lafayette).

White Sox ace Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast) – the 2016 American League starting pitcher – was one of several 2014 All-Star lefthanded pitchers who entered pro ball from the college ranks.

In addition to Posey, Goldschmidt, Zobrist and Bryant, there are three other college baseball products among the 2016 All-Star position starters: White Sox LHP Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast), Nationals RF Bryce Harper (Southern Nevada JC) and Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley, Jr. (Univ. of South Carolina). In addition to Sale, Steven Wright (Indians/Univ. of Hawaii) and Jake Arrietta (Cubs/TCU) also were considered top options to be All-Star starting pitchers.

A year ago in 2015, there were 10 total All-Star starters who were college baseball products: Posey, Goldschmidt, Le Mahieu/Gordon, Frazier, Harper, Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (Auburn), Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas), the Royals OF duo of Alex Gordon (Nebraska/inj.) and Lorenzo Cain (Tallahassee JC), and Angels 1B Albert Pujols (Maple Woods JC).

TCU product and current Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta was a top contender to start for the National League in the 2016 All-Star Game.

In addition to being the only college baseball program to reach the College World Series in each of the past three seasons (2014–16), TCU also is the only college program with multiple 2016 MLB All-Stars: Arrieta and Cardinals 3B Matt Carpenter.

The 26 foreign-based 2016 All-Stars predictably are dominated by players from the Dominican Republic (12) and Venezuela (6), plus two each from Cololbia, Cuba and Puerto Rico, along with one each from Aruba and Curacao. The 24 direct-from-high-school players among the 2016 All-Stars include eight from Florida, four each from California and Texas, three from North Carolina, and one each from Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Washington.

_____________________

Courtesy of CollegeBaseball360.com, here’s an assortment of notes about the 2016 All-Star Game within the context of college baseball (the info. also includes some corresponding 2014 & ’15 data, which can be accessed more in-depth via the links near top of this page) …

• Breaking Down The 2016 All-Star Selections
(79 total, includes nine replacement players)
29– former college baseball players (all listed below, scroll down)
24 – players who went straight to pro ball from high school
26 – foreign-based players

(note: in 2015, the breakdown was 41 college, 13 foreign & 22 straight from high school … and in 2014: 33 college, 29 foreign & 19 straight from high school)

Dallas Baptist product Ben Zobrist – who played for four different AL teams spanning the 2014–15 seasons (capped by helping the Royals win the 2015 World Series) – now is an All-Star starter for the National League, as the Chicago Cubs everyday second baseman

• Comparing the Leagues …
National League
16 – former college baseball players (all listed below)
13 – players who went straight to pro ball from HS
15 – foreign-based players
(2015: 20 college/5 foreign/13 HS
… 2014: 19 college/12 foreign/10 HS)

American League
13 – former college baseball players (all listed below)
11 – players who went straight to pro ball from HS
11 – foreign-based players
(2015: 21 college/8 foreign/9 HS
… 2014: 14 college/17 foreign/9 HS)
• Former College Baseball Players
who are 2016 All-Star Starters:
NL catcher Buster Posey  (S.F. Giants) – Florida St.
NL 2B Ben Zobrist  (Chicago Cubs) – Dallas Baptist
NL 3B Kris Bryant  (Cubs) – U. of san Diego
NL RF Bryce Harper  (Washington Nationals) – Southern Nevada JC
AL LHP Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) – Florida Gulf Coast
AL CF Jackie Bradley, Jr.  (Boston Red Sox) – South Carolina

University of South Carolina standout Jackie Bradley, Jr. – who led the Gamecocks to 2010 and ’11 College World Series titles – is an American League starter in the 2016 MLB All-Star Game (as a member of the Boston Red Sox).

(the 17 initial All-Star starters, with pitchers TBD, also include five foreign-based/non-college players and seven who entered pro ball straight from high school, plus two TBA/pitchers … this breakdown does not include a couple injury replacements into the starting lineup)

… a year earlier in 2015, there were 10 college baseball products among the initial 20 All-Star starters (listed above, within the intro. text) – compared to only five 2015 All-Star starters who had entered pro ball straight from high school)

… the six former college baseball players who were 2014 All-Star starters: Goldschmidt, Donaldson, NL catcher Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers/Louisiana-Lafayette), NL 2B Chase Utley (Phillies/UCLA), NL SS Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies/Long Beach St.) and AL RF Jose Bautista (Blue Jays/Chipola JC), plus seven foreign-based players and six who entered pro ball straight from high school.

• College Baseball Programs represented in the 2016 All-Star Game:
(28  programs/24 DI)
2 – TCU (Jake Arrieta & Matt Carpenter)
1 – Arizona, Auburn, Dallas Baptist, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Jacksonville, Long Beach State, Louisiana-Lafayette, LSU, Louisville, Mississippi, Missouri, Monmouth, North Carolina, San Diego, San Diego State, South Carolina, Stetson, Texas, Texas State and Texas Tech.
– also one each from: D2 Azusa Pacific, Southern Nevada JC, Wallace State (AL) JC and Tallahassee (FL) JC.

… in 2015, the breakdown of the 41 college baseball products among the All-Stars included 31 college programs (two each from Miami, UCLA, Vanderbilt and Chipola JC), 28 of them DI schools:
2 – Miami (Ryan Braun & Yasmani Grandel)
2 – UCLA (Brandon Crawford & Gerrit Cole)
2 – Vanderbilt (Sonny Gray and David Price)
2 – Chipola (FL) JC (Jose Bautista & Russell Martin)
1 – Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, College of Charleston, Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Long Beach State, LSU, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Rice, Rutgers, St. John’s, San Diego, USC, Southern Mississippi, Stetson, Texas A&M and Texas State.
– also one each from: D2 Azusa Pacific and Nova Southeastern; NAIA Southeastern (FL) Univ. (Cowley County (KS) JC, Maple Woods (MO) JC, Okaloosa Walton (FL) JC (now Northwest Florida State JC), Southern Nevada JC and Tallahassee (FL) JC.

American League third baseman Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) was a starter in the 2014 and ’15 All-Star Games. Donaldson played for the A’s in 2014, when he joined Tim Hudson as former Auburn players who were named to the 2014 All-Star rosters.

… a total of 60 different college baseball programs can boast at least one MLB All-Star over the past three seasons (2014–16)

• These six schools can lay claim to at least one MLB All-Star in each of the past three seasons:
Auburn  (Josh Donaldson ’14, ’15 & ’16; Tim Hudson ’14)
Georgia Tech  (Matt Wieters ’14 & ’16; Charlie Blackmon ’14; Mark Teixeira ’15)
Missouri  (Max Scherzer ’14, ’15 & ’16; Ian Kinsler ’14)
Florida Gulf Coast  (Chris Sale ’14, ’15 & ’16)
Long Beach State  (Troy Tulowitzki ’14 & ’15; Marco Estrada ’16)
Texas State  (Paul Goldschmidt ’14, ’15 & ’16)

… eight other college programs had All-Star representation in 2014 and ’15 but not in 2016: Nebraska (Alex Gordon ’14 & ’15; Tony Watson ’14) … Minnesota (Glen Perkins ’14 & ’15) … Notre Dame (Jeff Samardzija ’14; A.J. Pollock ’15) … Rutgers (Todd Frazier ’14 & ’15) … UCLA (Chase Utley ’14; Gerrit Cole and Brandon Crawford ’15) … Vanderbilt (David Price ’14 & ’15; Sonny Gray ’15) … Southeastern Univ. (Dee Gordon ’14 & ’15) … and Chipola JC (Jose Bautista ’14 & ’15; Hector Santiago ’15)

… the 2014 All-Stars (33) included two former players from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Missouri and Nebraska, plus one each from Butler, California, Cal State Fullerton, Cincinnati, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Long Beach State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Minnesota, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Texas, Texas-Arlington, TCU, Texas State, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Western Carolina, D3 Wisconsin-Stevens Point, NAI Southeastern Univ., Chipola JC, Jefferson JC and Wallace State JC.

Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals/San Diego State)

• College Baseball Products 2016 MLB All-Stars sorted by position:
11 righthanded pitchers (of 25)
3 lefthanded pitchers (of 9)
4 catchers (of 6)
2 first baseman (of 6)
2 second baseman (of 4)
0 shortstops (of 6)
3 third basemen (of 5)
2 leftfielders (of 3)
1 centerfielder (of 7)
1 rightfielders (of 6)
0 designated hitters  (of 2)
(positions based on mlb.com bio listings)

… the 2015 breakdown of college baseball products that were MLB All-Stars:
11 RHPs (of 20) … 4 LHPs (of 9)
4 catchers (of 6) … 3 first baseman (of 7)
5 second baseman (of 6) … 2 SS (of 5)
4 third basemen (of 7) … 2 LF (of 4)
2 CF (of 6) … 4 RF (of 6)

… and the 2014 breakdown of former college baseball players among the MLB all-stars: 9 of 23 RHPs, 6 of 11 LHPs, 3 of 8 catchers, 1 of 7 1B, 4 of 6 2B, 1 of 5 SS, 4 of 6 3B, 1 of 3 LF, 0 of 4 CF, 4 of 6 RF)

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (pictured) and Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta both were named to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game, making TCU the only college program with multiple products among the 2016 All-Stars.

… Combined 2014, 2015 & 2016 former college baseball players on All-Star rosters
11 second baseman (of 16) – 69%
11 third basemen (of 18) – 61%
11 catchers (of 20) – 55%
9 rightfielders (of 18) – 50%
5 leftfielders (of 10) – 50%
31 RH pitchers (of 68) – 46%
13 LH pitchers (of 29) – 45%
6 first baseman (of 20) – 30%
3 shortstops (of 16) – 19%
3 centerfielders (of 17) – 18%
0 DHs (of 2)
… over past three seasons, nearly half of the All-Star pitchers (44 of 97) have been former college baseball players, plus 11-of-16 second basemen, 11-of-18 third basemen, 11-of-20 catchers and 14-of-28 corner outfielders (but only 3-of-16 shortstops and 3-of-17 centerfielders).

• Lots-o-Lefties – In 2014, six of the 11 lefthanded pitchers named to the ’14 All-Star Game were former college baseball players, with that group including David Price (Vanderbilt), Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast), Sean Doolittle (Virginia), Tony Watson (Nebraska), Glen Perkins (Minnesota) and Mark Buehrle (Jefferson, MO, JC) … Price, Sale and Perkins returned as 2015 All-Stars, along with fellow LHP Dallas Kuechel (Arkansas), followed by three more LHPs with college baseball backgrounds among the 2016 All-Star rosters: Sale, Drew Pomeranz (Ole Miss) and Andrew Miller (North Carolina).

University of Hawaii product Steven Wright (now a standout with the Cleveland Indians) was on the short list to be named the American League starting pitcher in the 2016 All-Star Game.

• Breakdown by Major League Team – the 29 college baseball products among the 2016 All-Star contingent come from 19 different Major League teams … there are four different MLB teams (Red Sox, Cubs, Jays and Nationals) each with three college baseball products among their All-Star contingent, plus two each from the Orioles and Giants:

3 – Boston Red Sox  (Craig Kimbrel, Steven Wright and Jackie Bradley, Jr.)
3 – Chicago Cubs  (Jake Arietta, Ben Zobrist and Kris Bryant)
3 – Toronto Blue Jays  (Marco Estrada, Josh Donaldson and Michael Saunders)
3 – Washington Nationals  (Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper)
2 – Baltimore Orioles
(Brad Brach and Matt Wieters)
2 – San Francisco Giants
(Buster Posey and Brandon Belt)
1 – Arizona Diamondbacks  (Paul Goldschmidt)
1 – Chicago White Sox  (Chris Sale)
1 – Cincinnati Reds  (Adam Duvall)
1 – Cleveland Indians  (Corey Kluber)
1 – Houston Astros  (Will Harris)
1 – Miami Marlins  (AJ Ramos)
1 – Milwaukee Brewers  (Matthew Lucroy)
1 – New York Mets  (Daniel Murphy)
1 – New York Yankees (Andrew Miller)
1 – Oakland A’s  (Stephen Vogt)
1 – Pittsburgh Pirates  (Mark Melancon)
1 – St. Louis Cardinals  (Matt Carpenter)
1 – San Diego Padres  (Drew Pomeranz)
… none from Anaheim Angels, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers)

Mark Melancon (Pittsburgh Pirates/University of Arizona)

… and a year ago, the 41 college baseball alums among the 2015 All-Star contingent came from 26 different Major League teams (all but Atlanta, San Diego, Seattle and Texas) … there were three San Francisco Giants 2015 All-Stars who played college baseball and three more from the Toronto Blue Jays, plus two each from 10 other teams:
3 – San Francisco Giants
(Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik)
3 – Toronto Blue Jays
(Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin & Jose Bautista)
2 – Oakland A’s
(Sonny Gray and Josh Donaldson)
2 – Arizona Diamondbacks
(Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock)
2 – St. Louis Cardinals
(Michael Wacha and Trevor Rosenthal)
2 – Pittsburgh Pirates
(Gerritt Cole and Mark Melancon, both Pac-12)
2 – Colorado Rockies
(Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu)
2 – New York Yankees
(Mark Teixeira and Brett Gardner)
2 – Kansas City Royals
(Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain)
2 – Detroit Tigers
(David Price and J.D. Martinez)
2 – Washington Nationals
(Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper)
2 – Anaheim Angels
(Albert Pujols and Hector Santiago)

… the 2014 All-Stars included 33 former college baseball alums, spread out among 23 MLB teams (three from the As, and two each from the Giants, Cards, Padres, Royals, Tigers, Pirates, Blue Jays, Twins and Rockies) … all of those teams except the Padres also had multiple former college players among their 2015 All-Stars.

… notes: the American League East (9) features the most 2016 All-Stars who are former college players, followed by seven from the National League Central (which is the only division with all five teams represented by college baseball alums) … there also are five college baseball products among the NL East All-Stars, plus four from the NL West and two each from the AL Central and AL West … over the past three seasons (2014–16), the Texas Rangers are the only MLB team that has not featured at least one MLB All-Star who is a former college baseball player.

• Cold-Weather Products – Roughly 20% of the Division I college baseball products (6 of 32) among the 2015 All-Stars were products of programs from the Midwest or Northeast, including three (Frazier, Pollock and Panik) who played in the BIG EAST Conference (in the days before recent reconfiguration):
– Missouri: Max Scherzer  (Detroit Tigers)
– Nebraska: Alex Gordon  (Kansas City Royals)
– Rutgers: Todd Frazier  (Cincinnati Reds)
– Notre Dame: A.J. Pollock  (Arizona Diamondbacks)
– St. John’s: Joe Panik  (San Francisco Giants)
– Minnesota: Glen Perkins  (Minnesota Twins)

Monmouth College product Brad Brach emerged from a college baseball career in New Jersey to becoming a 2016 MLB All-Star (as a member of the Baltimore Orioles).

… Scherzer is back in the All-Star mix again this season, as is Orioles RHP Brad Brach, who – like Frazier – played his college ball in New Jersey (at Monmouth).

… and two years ago, there were 11 former college players from the Midwest or Northeast among the 2014 All-Stars: Scherzer, Gordon, Perkins and Frazier, plus Ian Kinsler (Tigers/Missouri), Tony Watson (Pirates/Nebraska), Pat Newshek (Cardinals/Butler), Josh Harrison (Pirates/Univ. of Cincinnati), Jeff Samardzija (Cubs & A’s/Notre Dame), Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals/Wis.-Stevens Point) and Mark Buehrle (Blue Jays/Jefferson JC).

• CWS Teams Representing – Three of the 2016 College World Series programs can boast proud alums among the 2016 All-Stars, including one from NCAA runner-up Arizona:
– TCU: RHP Jake Arrieta (Cubs) and 3B Matt Carpenter (Cardinals)
– Arizona: RHP Mark Melancon (Pirates)
– Texas Tech: RHP A.J. Ramos (Marlins)

… One year earlier, five of the 2015 CWS programs (all but UVa, TCU and Fullerton – each of which had former players among the 2014 All Stars) featured alums among the 2015 All-Stars (7 total), including two from NCAA runner-up Vanderbilt and two from Miami:
– Vanderbilt: LHP David Price (Rays) & RHP Sonny Gray (A’s)
– Miami: C Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers) & OF Ryan Braun (Brewers)
– Arkansas: LHP Dallas Kuechel (Astros)
– LSU: 2B DJ LeMahieu (Rockies)
– Florida: RHP Darren O’Day (Orioles)

… Half of the 2014 CWS teams had former players among the 2014 All-Stars: Carpenter, Price, Virginia LHP Sean Doolittle (A’s) and Texas RHP Huston Street (Padres).

… The 2016 All-Stars include six players who also played in the College World Series earlier in their baseball careers (one on a two-time champion; two others on runner-up teams):
– Will Harris (LSU infielder/pitcher 2003 & ’04)
– Andrew Miller (North Carolina 2006 runner-up)
– Matt Wieters (Georgia Tech catcher/closer 2006)
– Brandon Belt (Texas 2009 runner-up)
– Buster Posey (Florida State 2008)
– Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina 2010 & ’11 champs)

Will Harris – now a 2016 MLB All-Star (Houston Astros) – was an infielder/pitcher on two College World Series teams while at LSU (2003 and ’04).

… and the 2015 All-Stars included a boatload of players (15) from former CWS teams:

Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt 2011)
Michael Wacha (Texas A&M 2011)
Gerrit Cole (UCLA 2010 runner-up)
DJ Le Mahieu (LSU 2008, plus 2009 champs)
Dallas Kuechel (Arkansas 2009)
Brian Dozier (Southern Mississippi 2009)
Jason Kipnis (Arizona State 2009)
Buster Posey (Florida State 2008)
Yasmani Grandal (Miami 2008)
Ryan Braun (Miami 2003, ’04 and ’05)
Alex Gordon (Nebraska 2005)
Darren O’Day (Florida 2005 runner-up)
Mark Teixeira (Georgia Tech 2000)

> BONUS INFO. – 2016 MLB Futures Games connections to college baseball – The 2016 MLB Futures Game (played June 10, in San Diego) included 15 college baseball products among the 25 players on the U.S. team … seven of those 15 played at SEC schools, including two each from Vanderbilt and Arkansas (plus one each from Mississippi State, LSU and Tennessee) … the eight others played at: Rice, Stephen F. Austin, Furman, East Carolina, Oregon, San Jacinto JC and Yavapai JC (plus one who played at Cal State Fullerton and then Southern Nevada JC) … two schools – LSU and Southern Nevada (JC) – can boast a former player in both the 2016 MLB All-Star Game and Futures Game.

• 2016 MLB Future Games – U.S. Team Roster
Pitchers (7 of 10 college products)
LHP Anthony Banda (Diamondbacks AAA) – San Jacinto (TX) JC
RHP Phil Bickford (Giants A+) – CS Fullerton & Southern Nevada (JC)
RHP J.T. Chargois (Twins AAA) – Rice
RHP Carson Fulmer (White Sox AA) – Vanderbilt
RHP Jeff Hoffman (Rockies AAA) –East Carolina
LHP Nate Smith (Dodgers AAA) – Furman
RHP Ryne Stanek (Rays AA) – Arkansas
… the other three include a former St. John’s University basketball player, LHP Amir Garrett, plus two players direct-from-HS (from Maryland and California)

Catchers (0 of 2 college)
… direct from HS (Illinois and California)

Infielders (5 of 7 college)
Alex Bregman (Astros AAA) – LSU
Willie Calhoun (Dodgers AA) – Yavapai JC
Hunter Dozier (Royals AAA) – Stephen F. Austin
Ron Healy (A’s AAA) – Oregon
Dansby Swanson (Braves AA) – Vanderbilt
… also high school products from New York and California

Outfielders (3 of 6 college)
Andrew Benintendi (Red SoxB AA) – Arkansas
Hunter Renfroe (Padres AAA) – Mississippi State
Christin Stewart (Tigers A+) – Tennessee
… also HS products from Arizona, Alabama and Georgia

____________

• COLLEGE BASEBALL products among 2016 ALL-STAR Selections
(29 of 78, with only 24 straight-from HS players, plus 26 foreign players who did not play college baseball … 25 of the college baseball alums played on the DI level, plus one from D2 and three who entered pro ball out of junior college)
all info. courtesy of Pete LaFleur, CollegeBaseball360.com – please credit accordingly 

… note that the 2015 All-Stars included 41 of 76 who were college baseball products and only 22 are straight-from HS players, plus 13 foreign-based players … 32 of the college baseball alums among those 2015 All-Stars played on the DI level, plus a pair from D2, one NAIA and six who entered pro ball out of JC)

Corey Kluber (Cleveland Indians) follows in the footsteps of Mets talented young righthander Jacob de Grom as the second Stetson product to earn an All-Star spot during the past two seasons.

RIGHTHANDED PITCHERS (11, of 25)
… also 5 straight-from-HS & 9 foreign
National League
Jake Arrieta (Chicago Cubs) – TCU
Mark Melancon (Pittsburgh Pirates) – Arizona (also ’15 All-Star)
A.J. Ramos (Miami Marlins) – Texas Tech
Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals) – San Diego State
Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals) – Missouri (also ’14 & ’15 All-Star)
> note: Scherzer is an injury replacement for his Nationals teammate Strasburg

American League
Brad Brach  (Baltimore Orioles) – Monmouth
Marco Estrada  (Toronto Blue Jays) – Long Beach State (injured)
Will Harris  (Houston Astros) – LSU
Craig Kimbrel  (Boston Red Sox) – Wallace State (AL) JC  (inj.; also ’14 All-Star)
Corey Kluber  (Cleveland Indians) – Stetson  (injury replacement)
Steven Wright  (Boston Red Sox) – Hawaii

> … 2015 RHPs (11 of 20): Melancon, Scherzer, Michael Wacha (Cards/Texas A&M), Jacob de Grom (Mets/Stetson), Gerrit Cole (Pirates/UCLA), Jonathan Papelbon (Phillies/Mississippi St), Trevor Rosenthal (Cards/Cowley County [KS] JC), Sonny Gray (A’s/Vanderbilt), Darren O’Day (Orioles/Univ. of Florida), Brad Boxberger (Rays/USC) and Hector Santiago (Angels/Okaloosa-Walton [FL] JC )

> … 2014 RHPs (9): Scherzer, Kimbrel, Tim Hudson (Giants/Auburn), Pat Newshek (Cards/Butler), Tyson Ross (Padres/Univ. of California), Jeff Samardzija (Cubs & A’s/Notre Dame), Huston Street (Padres/Univ. of Texas), Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals/Wis.-Stevens Point) and Greg Holland (Royals/Western Carolina)
___

Andrew Miller (New York Yankees/North Carolina)

LEFTHANDED PITCHERS (3, of 8)
… also 5 straight from HS and 1 foreign
National League
Drew Pomeranz  (San Diego Padres) – Mississippi  (injury replacement)

American League
Andrew Miller (New York Yankees) – North Carolina
Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) – Florida Gulf Coast  *starter* (also 2014 and ’15 All-Star)

> … 2015 LHPs (4 of 9): Sale, Dallas Kuechel (Astros/Arkansas), David Price (Rays/Vanderbilt) and Glen Perkins (Twins/ Univ. of Minnesota)

> … 2014 LHPs (6): Price, Sale, Perkins, Tony Watson (Pirates/Univ. of Nebraska), Mark Buehrle (Blue Jays/Jefferson JC) and Sean Doolittle (A’s/Virginia)

___

Former Louisiana-Lafayette player Jonathan Lucroy (Milwaukee Brewers) has been named an MLB All-Star in two of the past three seasons.

CATCHERS (4, of 6)
… also 2 foreign-based players
National League
Buster Posey  (San Francisco Giants) – Florida State  *starter*
(also started in 2015 All-Star game)
Jonathan Lucroy  (Milwaukee Brewer) – Louisiana-Lafayette (also ’14 All-Star)

American League
Stephen Vogt  (Oakland A’s) – Azusa Pacific (also ’15 All-Star)
Matt Wieters  (Baltimore Orioles) – Georgia Tech (also ’14 All-Star)

> … 2015 catchers (4 of 6): Posey, Yasmani Grandel (Dodgers/Univ. of Miami), Russell Martin (Blue Jays/Chipola JC) and Stephen Vogt (A’s/Azusa Pacific)

> … 2014 catchers (3): Lucroy (Brewers/Louisiana-Lafayette), Kurt Suzuki (Twins/Fullerton) and Matt Wieters (Orioles/Georgia Tech)

___

Diamondbacks big bopper Paul Goldschmidt honed his craft as a college baseball player at Texas State (previously known as Southwest Texas State).

FIRST BASEMEN (2, of 6)
… also 3 straight from HS and 1 foreign
National League
Brandon Belt  (San Francisco Giants) – Texas
Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona Diamondbacks) – Texas State
(also 2014 & ’15 All-Star/starter both years)

American League
none

> … 2015 first basemen (3 of 7): Goldschmidt, Mark Teixeira (Yankees/Georgia Tech) and Albert Pujols (Angels/Maple Woods [MO] JC)

> … 2014 first basemen (1): Goldschmidt

___

2015 MLB postseason hero Daniel Murphy – a 2014 and ’16 All-Star – emerged from a college career at Jacksonville University.

SECOND BASEMEN (2, of 4)
… also two foreign-based players
National League
Daniel Murphy  (Washington Nationals) – Jacksonville Univ.
(also 2014 All-Star)
Ben Zobrist  (Chicago Cubs) – Dallas Baptist *starter*
(also 2013 Alll-Star)

American League
none

> … 2015 second basemen (5 of 6): Dee Gordon (Dodgers/Southeastern [FL] Univ), DJ LeMahieu (Rockies/LSU), Joe Panik (Giants/St. John’s), Brian Dozier (Twins/Southern Mississippi) and Jason Kipnis (Indians/Arizona State)

> … 2014 second basemen (4): Murphy, Gordon, Chase Utley (Phillies/UCLA) and Ian Kinsler (Tigers/Missouri)

___

SHORTSTOPS (0, of 6)
… also 3 direct from HS and 3 foreign
National League
none

American League
none

> … 2015 shortstops (2 of 5): Brandon Crawford (Giants/UCLA) and Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies/Long Beach State)

> … 2014 shortstops: Tulowitzki

___

THIRD BASEMEN (3, of 5)
… also 2 direct from high school
National League
Kris Bryant  (Chicago Cubs) – U. of San Diego *starter* (also ’15 All-Star)
Matt Carpenter  (St. Louis Cardinals) – TCU (inj.; also ’14 all-star)

American League
Josh Donaldson  (Toronto Blue Jays) – Auburn
(also 2015 All-Star … and 2014 All-Star w/ Oakland A’s)

> … 2015 third basemen (4 of 7): Bryant, Donaldson, Todd Frazier (Reds/Rutgers) and Brock Holt (Red Sox/Rice)

> … 2014 third basemen (4): Frazier, Donaldson, Carpenter and Kyle Seager (Mariners/North Carolina)

___

Adam Duvall (Cincinnati Reds/Louisville)

LEFT FIELDERS (2, of 3)
… also 1 foreign-based player
National League
Adam Duvall  (Cincinnati Reds) – Louisville

American League
Michael Saunders  (Toronto Blue Jays) – Tallahassee JC

> … 2015 left fielders (2 of 4): Alex Gordon (Royals/Nebraska) and Brett Gardner  (Yankees/Coll. of Charleston)

> … 2014 left fielders: Gordon

___

CENTER FIELDERS (1, of 7)
… also 3 direct from HS and 3 foreign
National League
none

American League
Jackie Bradley, Jr.  (Boston Red Sox) – South Carolina

> … 2015 center fielders (2 of 6): A.J. Pollock (Diamondbacks/Notre Dame) and Lorenzeo Cain (Royals/Tallahassee JC)

> … 2014 center fielders: none

___

RIGHT FIELDERS (4, of 6)
… also 3 direct from HS and 2 foreign
National League
Bryce Harper  (Washington Nationals) – Southern Nevada JC
*starter*  (also 2015 All-Star starter)

American League
none

> … 2015 right fielders: Harper, Ryan Braun (Brewers/U. of Miami), J.D. Martinez  (Tigers/Nova Southeastern) and Jose Bautista (Blue Jays/Chipola JC)

> … 2014 right fielders: Bautista, Charlie Blackmon (Rockies/Georgia Tech), Josh Harrison (Pirates/U. of Cincinnati) and Hunter Pence (Giants/Texas-Arlington).

___

DESIGNATE HITTERS (0, of 2)
… both are foreign-based players

 Additional 2016 All-Stars pictured below (hope to add one of Ben Zobrist to this release later):

______________________

Max Scherzer (Missouri) – Detroit Tigers

Matt Wieters (Georgia Tech) – Baltimore Orioles)

Marco Estrada (Long Beach State) – Toronto Blue Jays

Brandon Belt (Texas) – San Francisco Giants

AJ Ramos (Texas Tech) – Miami Marlins

Steven Vogt (Azusa Pacific) – Oakland A’s

Craig Kimbrel (Wallace State) – Cleveland Indians

Drew Pomeranz (Ole Miss) – San Diego Padres

CLICK HERE to see similar release to this one for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game– which included 33 former college baseball players among the 81 selections (plus 19 who went pro straight from high school and 29 foreign-based players).

(Note: all content and research on this page courtesy of CB360’s Pete LaFleur, please credit accordingly.)

Todd Frazier (Rutgers/Cincinnati Reds) is the National League’s 2015 starting third baseman and won the Home Run Derby, in front of the hometown Crown City fans.

Most of the college baseball alums among the 2016 All-Stars are former Division I players (32 of 41), plus two former Division II players, an NAIA baseball alum and six who entered pro ball directly from junior college.

For the second straight year, a toss around the National League starting infield will touch the gloves of four different college baseball alums – Giants catcher Buster Posey (Florida State), Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt (Texas State), Rockies 2B DJ Le Mahieu (LSU; inj. replacement for fellow former college player Dee Gordon) and Reds 3B Todd Frazier (Rutgers). In 2014, the NL infield starters included Goldschmidt, Phillies 2B Chase Utley (UCLA), Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki (Long Beach State) and Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (Louisiana-Lafayette).

Exactly half (10 of 20) of the 2015 MLB All-Star starters are former college baseball players, with five from the National League including those listed above plus Nationals OF Bryce Harper (who played one season at Southern Nevada JC).

The 2015 American League starters also include five former college baseball players: Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson (Auburn), who also was a 2014 All-Star starter (with the A’s), along with Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel (Arkansas), the Royals OF duo of Alex Gordon (Nebraska/injured) and Lorenzo Cain (Tallahassee JC), and Angels 1B Albert Pujols (Maple Woods JC).

_____________________

Former Arkansas LHP Dallas Kuechel will start the 2015 MLB All-Star Game, representing the American League and the Houston Astros.

Courtesy of CollegeBaseball360.com, here’s an assortment of notes about the 2015 All-Star Game within the context of college baseball …

• Breaking Down The 2015 All-Star Selections
(76 total, includes six replacement players)
41– former college baseball players (all listed below, scroll down)
22 – players who went straight to pro ball from high school
13 – foreign-based players
(note: in 2014, the breakdown was 33 college, 29 foreign & 19 straight from high school)

Former Nebraska standout third baseman Alex Gordon – now playing left field for the Kansas City Royals – is among several 2015 All-Star selections unable to play in the game due to injury (he was selected as a 2015 starter and also missed the 2014 All-Star Game due to injury).

• Comparing the Leagues …
National League
20 – former college baseball players (all listed below, scroll down)
13 – players who went straight to pro ball from high school
5 – foreign-based player2
(2014 was: 19 college/12 foreign/10 HS)

American League
21 – former college baseball players (all listed below, scroll down)
9 – players who went straight to pro ball from high school
8 – foreign-based players
(2014 was: 17 foreign/14 college/9 HS)

Diamondbacks big bopper Paul Goldschmidt honed his craft as a college baseball player at Texas State (previously known as Southwest Texas State).

• Former College Baseball Players who are 2015 All-Star Starters:
NL catcher Buster Posey  (San Francisco Giants) – Florida State
NL 1B Paul Goldschmidt  (Arizona Diamondbacks) – Texas State
NL 2B Dee Gordon  (Miami Marlins) – Southeastern/Seminole JC
… note: Gordon inj. but another former college player is starting, DJ LeMahieu of Colorado Rockies and LSU
NL 3B Todd Frazier  (Cincinnati Reds) – Rutgers
NL RF Bryce Harper  (Washington Nationals) – Southern Nevada JC
AL LHP Dallas Kuechel  (Houston Astros) – Arkansas
AL 1B Albert Pujols  (St. Louis Cardinals) – Maple Woods (MO) JC
AL 3B Josh Donaldson  (Toronto Blue Jays) – Auburn
AL LF Alex Gordon  (Kansas City Royals) – Nebraska  *injured*
AL RF Lorenzeo Cain  (Kansas City Royals) – Tallahassee JC
(the 20 initial All-Star starters also include five foreign-based/non-college players and five who entered pro ball straight from high school)

… the six former college baseball players who were 2014 All-Star starters: Goldschmidt, Donaldson, NL catcher Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers/Louisiana-Lafayette), NL 2B Chase Utley (Phillies/UCLA), NL SS Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies/Long Beach St.) and AL RF Jose Bautista (Blue Jays/Chipola JC), plus seven foreign-based players and six who entered pro ball straight from high school.

American League starting third baseman Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) also started in the 2014 All-Star Game (while playing for the A’s), when he joined Tim Hudson as former Auburn players who were named to the 2014 All-Star rosters.

• College Baseball Programs represented in the 2015 All-Star Game:
(37  programs/28 DI; 4 with two each)
2 – Miami (Ryan Braun & Yasmani Grandel)
2 – UCLA (Brandon Crawford & Gerrit Cole)
2 – Vanderbilt (Sonny Gray and David Price)
2 – Chipola (FL) JC (Jose Bautista & Russell Martin)
1 – Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, College of Charleston, Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Long Beach State, LSU, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Rice, Rutgers, St. John’s, San Diego, USC, Southern Mississippi, Stetson, Texas A&M and Texas State.
– also one each from: D2 Azusa Pacific and Nova Southeastern; NAIA Southeastern (FL) Univ. (Cowley County (KS) JC, Maple Woods (MO) JC, Okaloosa Walton (FL) JC (now Northwest Florida State JC), Southern Nevada JC and Tallahassee (FL) JC.
… total of 52 different college baseball programs can boast at least one MLB All-Star over the past two seasons (2014-15)

Former Notre Dame player and current Arizona Diamondbacks centerfielder A.J. Pollock is a member of the 2015 MLB All-Star Team – making Notre Dame one of 14 schools with MLB All-Stars in each of the past two seasons. Center field and shortstop are the rarest All-Star positions for former college players over the past two seasons (Pollock is one of two CF All-Stars from 2014-15, among 10 total, who played college baseball).

• These 14 schools can lay claim to at least one MLB All-Star in each of the past two seasons:
Auburn  (Josh Donaldson both; Tim Hudson ’14)
Georgia Tech  (Matt Wieters & Charlie Blackmon ’14; Mark Teixeira ’15)
Missouri  (Max Scherzer both; Ian Kinsler ’14)
Nebraska  (Alex Gordon both; Tony Watson ’14)
Florida Gulf Coast  (Chris Sale both)
Long Beach State  (Troy Tulowitzki both)
Minnesota  (Glen Perkins both)
Notre Dame  (Jeff Samardzija ’14; A.J. Pollock ’15)
Rutgers  (Todd Frazier both)
Texas State  (Paul Goldschmidt both)
UCLA  (Chase Utley ’14; Gerrit Cole and Brandon Crawford ’15)
Vanderbilt  (David Price both; Sonny Gray ’15)
Southeastern Univ.  (Dee Gordon both)
Chipola JC  (Jose Bautista both; Hector Santiago ’15)

… the 2014 All-Stars (33) included two former players from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Missouri and Nebraska, plus one each from Butler, California, Cal State Fullerton, Cincinnati, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Long Beach State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Minnesota, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Rutgers, Texas, Texas-Arlington, TCU, Texas State, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Western Carolina, D3 Wisconsin-Stevens Point, NAI Southeastern Univ., Chipola JC, Jefferson JC and Wallace State JC.

White Sox ace Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast) is one of several 2014 All-Star lefthanded pitchers who entered pro ball from the college ranks.

• College Baseball Alums 2015 MLB All-Stars by position:
10 righthanded pitchers (of 20)
5 lefthanded pitchers (of 9)
4 catchers (of 6)
3 first baseman (of 7)
5 second baseman (of 6)
2 shortstops (of 5)
4 third basemen (of 7)
2 leftfielders (of 4)
2 centerfielders (of 6)
4 rightfielders (of 6)
(positions based on mlb.com bio listings)

… the 2014 breakdown of former college baseball players among the MLB all-stars: 9 of 23 RHP, 6 of 11 LHP, 3 of 8 catchers, 1 of 7 1B, 4 of 6 2B, 1 of 5 SS, 4 of 6 3B, 1 of 3 LF, 0 of 4 CF, 4 of 6 RF)

Buster Posey – who played mostly as a middle infielder at Florida State – has developed into an All-Star catcher and three-time World Series champion with the San Francisco Giants.

… Combined 2014 and 2015 former college baseball players on All-Star rosters
19 righthanded pitchers (of 43)
11 lefthanded pitchers (of 20)
7 catchers (of 14)
4 first baseman (of 14)
9 second baseman (of 12)
3 shortstop (of 10)
8 third basemen (of 13)
3 leftfielders (of 7)
2 centerfielders (of 10)
8 rightfielders (of 12)
… over past two seasons, nearly half of the All-Star pitchers (30 of 63) have been former college baseball players, plus 9-of-12 second basemen, 8-of-13 third basemen, 7-of-14 catchers and 11-of-19 corner outfielders (but only 3-of-10 shortstops and 2-of-10 centerfielders).

• Lots-o-Lefties – A year ago, six of the 11 lefthanded pitchers named to the 2014 All-Star Game were former college baseball players, with that group including David Price (Vanderbilt), Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast), Sean Doolittle (Virginia), Tony Watson (Nebraska), Glen Perkins (Minnesota) and Mark Buehrle (Jefferson, MO, JC) … Price, Sale and Perkins have returned as 2015 All-Star, along with fellow LHPs Dallas Kuechel (Arkansas) and Jacob de Grom (Stetson).

Former Texas A&M pitcher Michael Wacha is one of two college baseball products representing the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game.

• Breakdown by Major League Team – the 41 college baseball alums among the 2015 All-Star contingent come from 26 different Major League teams (all but Atlanta, San Diego, Seattle and Texas) … there are three San Francisco Giants all-stars who played college baseball and three more from the Toronto Blue Jays, plus two each from 11 other teams:
3 – San Francisco Giants  (Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik)
3 – Toronto Blue Jays  (Josh Donaldson, Russell Martin and Jose Bautista)
2 – Oakland As (Sonny Gray and Josh Donaldson)
2 – Arizona Diamondbacks  (Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock)
2 – St. Louis Cardinals  (Michael Wacha and Trevor Rosenthal)
2 – Pittsburgh Pirates  (Gerritt Cole and Mark Melancon, both Pac-12 products)
2 – Colorado Rockies  (Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu)
2 – New York Yankees (Mark Teixeira and Brett Gardner)
2 – Minnesota Twins  (Chris Sale and Glen Perkins)
2 – Kansas City Royals  (Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain)
2 – Detroit Tigers  (David Price and J.D. Martinez)
2 – Washington Nationals  (Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper)
2 – Anaheim Angels  (Albert Pujols and Hector Santiago)

Current New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira remains one of the top switch hitter in college baseball history, after starring at Georgia Tech.

… notes: the American League Eastern and Central, plus the National League Central, feature all five of their teams with at least one 2015 All-Star who played college baseball … most from one division is eight each from the AL East and Central, plus the NL West (among four teams), plus seven NL Central, five NL East and five AL West … the NL West and AL Central each have three different teams that have multiple 2015 All-Stars who are former college baseball players (Arizona, Colorado, San Fran., Detroit, K.C. and Minnesota) … over the past two seasons (2014-15), the Texas Rangers are the only MLB team that has not featured at least one MLB All-Star who is a former college baseball player (San Diego had two in ’14, while Atlanta and Seattle had one each).

… the 2014 All-Stars included 33 former college baseball alums, spread out among 23 MLB teams (three from the As, and two each from the Giants, Cards, Padres, Royals, Tigers, Pirates, Blue Jays, Twins and Rockies) … all of those teams except the Padres also have multiple former college players among their 2015 All-Stars.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik is part of the St. John’s baseball program’s alum group that also includes the likes of Frank Viola, John Franco, C.J. Nitkowski and Rich Aurilia.

• Cold-Weather Products – Roughly 20% of the Division I college baseball productss (6 of 32) among the 2015 All-Stars are products of programs from the Midwest or Northeast, including three (Frazier, Pollock and Panik) who played in the BIG EAST Conference (in the days before recent reconfiguration):
– Missouri: Max Scherzer  (Detroit Tigers)
– Nebraska: Alex Gordon  (Kansas City Royals)
– Rutgers: Todd Frazier  (Cincinnati Reds)
– Notre Dame: A.J. Pollock  (Arizona Diamondbacks)
– St. John’s: Joe Panik  (San Francisco Giants)
– Minnesota: Glen Perkins  (Minnesota Twins)

… a year ago, there were 11 former college players from the Midwest or Northeast among the 2014 All-Stars: Scherzer, Gordon, Perkins and Frazier, plus Ian Kinsler (Tigers/Missouri), Tony Watson (Pirates/Nebraska), Pat Newshek (Cardinals/Butler), Josh Harrison (Pirates/U. Cincinnati), Jeff Samardzija (Cubs & A’s/Notre Dame), Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals/Wis.-Stevens Point) and Mark Buehrle (Blue Jays/Jefferson JC).

A few weeks after cheering in Omaha for his alma mater Vanderbilt at the College World Series, Detroit Tigers pitcher David Price was named to the 2015 All-Star Game (he also was named to the 2014 All-Star team, as a member of Tampa Bay, but did not pitch in the game, due to pitching the previous Sunday for the Rays),

• CWS Teams Representing – Five of the 2015 College World Series programs (all but UVa, TCU and Fullerton – all of which had former players among the 2014 All Stars) can boast proud alums among the 2015 All-Stars (7 total), including two from NCAA runner-up Vanderbilt and two from Miami:
– Vanderbilt: LHP David Price (Rays) & RHP Sonny Gray (A’s)
– Miami: C Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers) & OF Ryan Braun (Brewers)
– Arkansas: LHP Dallas Kuechel (Astros)
– LSU: 2B DJ LeMahieu (Rockies)
– Florida: RHP Darren O’Day (Orioles)

… Half of the 2014 College World Series teams had former players among the 2014 All-Stars: Price, Virginia LHP Sean Doolittle (A’s), Texas: RHP Huston Street (Padres) and TCU 3B Matt Carpenter (Cardinals).

… The 2015 All-Stars include 15 players who also played in the College World Series earlier in their baseball careers:
Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt 2011)
Michael Wacha (Texas A&M 2011)
Gerrit Cole (UCLA 2010)
DJ Le Mahieu (LSU/2009 champs, ’08)
Dallas Kuechel (Arkansas 2009)
Brian Dozier (Southern Mississippi 2009)
Jason Kipnis (Arizona State 2009)
Buster Posey (Florida State 2008)
Yasmani Grandal (Miami 2008)
Ryan Braun (Miami 2003, ’04 and ’05)
Alex Gordon (Nebraska 2005)
Darren O’Day (Florida 2005)
Mark Teixeira (Georgia Tech 2000)

____________

• College Baseball Alums among 2015 All-Star Selections
(41 of 76, only 22 are straight-from HS players, plus 13 foreign players who did not play college baseball … 32 of the college baseball alums played on the DI level, plus a pair from D2, one NAIA and six who entered pro ball out of junior college)
courtesy of Pete LaFleur, CollegeBaseball360.com – please credit accordingly 

Gerrit Cole (Pittsburgh Pirates/UCLA)

RIGHTHANDED PITCHERS (10, of 20)
National League
Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals) – Missouri
… *pitched on Sun./will not pitch Tues.*
(also 2014 All-Star)
Michael Wacha  (St. Louis Cardinals) – Texas A&M
Gerrit Cole  (Pittsburgh Pirates) – UCLA
Mark Melancon  (Pittsburgh Pirates) – Arizona
Jonathan Papelbon  (Philadelphia Phillies) – Mississippi State
Trevor Rosenthal  (St. Louis Cardinals) – Cowley County (KS) JC

American League
Sonny Gray  (Oakland A’s) – Vanderbilt  *injured*
Darren O’Day  (Baltimore Orioles) – Florida
Brad Boxberger  (Tampa Bay Rays) – USC
Hector Santiago  (Anaheil Angels) – Okaloosa-Walton (FL) JC  *replacement player*

… 2014: Scherzer, Tim Hudson (Giants/Auburn, Craig Kimbrel (Braves/Wallace State JC), Pat Newshek (Cardinals/Butler), Tyson Ross (Padres/U. of California), Jeff Samardzija (Cubs & A’s/Notre Dame), Huston Street (Padres/U. of Texas), Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals/Wis.-Stevens Point and Greg Holland (Royals/Western Carolina)

Jacob de Grom (New York Mets/Stetson)

LEFTHANDED PITCHERS (5, of 9)
National League
Jacob de Grom  (New York Mets) – Stetson

American League
Dallas Kuechel  (Houston Astros) – Arkansas  *starter*
David Price  (Tampa Bay Rays) – Vanderbilt
(also 2014 All-Star)
Chris Sale  (Chicago White Sox) – Florida Gulf Coast  (also 2014 All-Star)
Glen Perkins  (Minnesota Twins) – Minnesota
(also 2014 All-Star)

… 2014: Price, Sale, Perkins, Tony Watson (Pirates/U. of Nebraska), Mark Buehrle (Blue Jays/Jefferson JC) and Sean Doolittle (A’s/Virginia)

Yasmani Grandal (Los Angeles Dodgers/Univ. of Miami)

CATCHERS (4, of 6)
National League
Buster Posey  (San Francisco Giants) – Florida State  *starter*
Yasmani Grandel  (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Univ. of Miami

American League
Russell Martin  (Tortonto Blue Jays) – Chipola (FL) JC
Stephen Vogt  (Oakland A’s) – Azusa Pacific

… 2014: Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers/Louisiana-Lafayette), Kurt Suzuki (Twins/Fullerton) and Matt Wieters (Orioles/Georgia Tech)

FIRST BASEMEN (3, of 7)
National League
Paul Goldschmidt (Arizona Diamondbacks) – Texas State  *starter*  (also 2014 starter)

American League
Mark Teixeira  (New York Yankees) – Georgia Tech
Albert Pujols  (Anaheim Angels) – Maple Woods (MO) JC

… 2014: Goldschmidt

DJ LeMahieu (Colorado Rockies.LSU)

SECOND BASEMEN (5, of 6)
National League
Dee Gordon  (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Southeastern (FL) Univ. (NAIA)  *starter/injured*
DJ LeMahieu  (Colorado Rockies) – LSU
*starter via Gordon inj.*
Joe Panik  (San Francisco Giants) – St. John’s

American League
Brian Dozier  (Minnesota Twins) – Southern Mississippi  *replacement player*
Jason Kipnis  (Cleveland Indians) – Arizona State

… 2014: Gordon, Chase Utley (Phillies/UCLA), Daniel Murphy (Mets/Jacksonville U.) and Ian Kinsler (Tigers/Missouri)

SHORTSTOPS (2, of 5)

Former Long Beach State standout Troy Tulowitzki ias one of four former college baseball starters among the National League starters for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game and has returned to the 2015 All-Star Game as a replacement player.

National League
Brandon Crawford  (San Francisco Giants) – UCLA 
Troy Tulowitzki  (Colorado Rockies) – Long Beach State  (also 2014 All-Star)

American League
none

2014: Tulowitzki

THIRD BASEMEN (4, of 7)
National League
Todd Frazier  (Cincinnati Reds) – Rutgers  *starter*  (also 2014 All-Star)
Kris Bryant  (Chicago Cubs) – U. of San Diego

American League
Josh Donaldson  (Toronto Blue Jays) – Auburn
(also 2014 All-Star, w/ Oakland A’s)
Brock Holt  (Boston Red Sox) – Rice

2014: Frazier, Donaldson, Matt Carpenter (Cardinals/TCU) and Kyle Seager (Mariners/North Carolina)

Brett Gardner (N.Y. Yankees/College of Charleston)

LEFT FIELDERS (2, of 4)
National League
none

American League
Alex Gordon  (Kansas City Royals) – Nebraska
(also 2014 All-Star)
Brett Gardner  (New York Yankees) –
College of Charleston  *replacement player*

2014: Gordon

CENTER FIELDERS (2, of 6)
National League
A.J. Pollock  (Arizona Diamondbacks) – Notre Dame

American League
Lorenzeo Cain  (Kansas City Royals) –
Tallahassee (FL) JC

2014: none

RIGHT FIELDERS (4, of 6)
National League
Ryan Braun  (Milwaukee Brewers) – U. of Miami  *replacement player*
Bryce Harper  (Washington Nationals) – Southern Nevada JC

American League
J.D. Martinez  (Detroit Tigers) – Nova Southeastern
Jose Bautista  (Toronto Blue Jays) – Chipola (FL) JC

2014: Bautista, Charlie Blackmon (Rockies/Georgia Tech), Josh Harrison (Pirates/U. of Cincinnati) and Hunter Pence (Giants/Texas-Arlington).

 Additional 2015 All-Stars pictured below:

______________________

Max Scherzer (Missouri) – Detroit Tigers

Glen Perkins (Univ. of Minnesota/Minnesota Twins)

Sonny Gray (Oakland A’s/Vanderbilt)

Jason Kipnis (Cleveland Indians/Arizona St.)

Darren O’Day (Baltimore Orioles/Univ. of Florida)

Brad Boxberger (Tampa Bay Rays/USC)

Kris Bryant (Chicago Cubs/ Univ. of San Diego)

Brock Holt (Boston Red Sox/Rice)

Brian Dozier (Minnesota Twins/Southern Miss.)

Brandon Crawford (San Francisco Giants/UCLA)

UCLA's Jeff Gelalich is among 30 new players named to the 2012 Golden Spikes Watch List.

DURHAM, N.C. — USA Baseball released its 60-man midseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List on Tuesday, bringing the organization one step closer to naming the top amateur baseball player in the country.

The Watch List will continue to be a “rolling” list until May 29 — when the final 30 semifinalists for the award are announced — ensuring that athletes can play themselves into consideration for the award. The Golden Spikes Award trophy will be awarded live at MLB Network’s studios for the second year in a row, with a presentation scheduled for Friday, July 6. Through USA Baseball’s partnership with Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), the presentation will also be simulcast with a live stream available from GoldenSpikesAward.com, MLB.com and USABaseball.com.

Thirty new players have been added to the list since its initial release on Feb. 16, while another 30 remain. Florida and the Southeastern Conference continue to lead all schools and conferences with Watch List players, placing four and 16 on the midseason update, respectively. Carlos Rodon of North Carolina State is a new addition and currently stands as the list’s lone freshman. Adam Brett Walker of Jacksonville, Michael Roth of South Carolina and Mike Zunino of Florida each carry over as the only players who were semifinalists for the Golden Spikes Award in 2011.

USA Baseball officials will announce the 30 semifinalists for the 2012 Golden Spikes Award on Tuesday, May 29. The list of 30 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of media that closely follow the amateur game, select professional baseball personnel and current USA Baseball staff, representing a group of more than 200 voters in total.

Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2012. Tuesday, May 29, marks the day when amateur baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite semifinalist on GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of this selection process all voters will be asked to choose three players from the list of 30 names. On Tuesday, June 5, USA Baseball will announce the three finalists, and voting will once again commence that same day.

Beginning with Florida State’s Buster Posey in New York in 2008, USA Baseball partnered with MLBAM to create GoldenSpikesAward.com, and until 2011, streamed its annual presentations online live from MLB All-Star FanFest. Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State won the award in 2009 in St. Louis, and Bryce Harper of Southern Nevada took home the trophy from Anaheim, Calif., in 2010. UCLA’s Trevor Bauer was the 2011 winner, accepting the trophy as part of a live presentation on “MLB Tonight” in MLB Network’s Studio 42.

Other past winners of the Golden Spikes Award include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994), Rickie Weeks (2003), Jered Weaver (2004), Tim Lincecum (2006), and David Price (2007).

Important 2012 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award dates include:

Thursday, Feb. 16: 50-man preseason Watch List released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
Tuesday, May 1: 60-man midseason Watch List released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
Tuesday, May 29: 30 semifinalists announced, selected by USA Baseball officials; semifinalist voting begins; voters select three
Friday, June 1: Deadline to vote for finalists, 5 p.m. ET
Tuesday, June 5: Three finalists announced; finalist voting begins; voters to select o
ne Friday, June 15: Deadline to vote for winner, 5 p.m. ET
Friday, July 6: Live Golden Spikes Award presentation from MLB Network studios

The complete 2012 midseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List is as follows:

Name, Position, Class, School, Conference (in order of name, new players bolded)

Justin Amlung, RHP, Junior, Louisville, Big East
Mark Appel, RHP, Junior, Stanford, Pac-12
Adam Brett Walker, OF/C, Junior, Jacksonville, Atlantic Sun
Kris Bryant, IF, Sophomore, San Diego, WCC
J.T. Chargois, RHP/IF, Junior, Rice, C-USA
Jason Coats, OF, Senior, Texas Christian, Mountain West
Joey DeMichele, IF, Junior, Arizona State, Pac-12
Josh Elander, C/OF, Junior, Texas Christian, Mountain West
Austin Elkins, IF, Junior, Dallas Baptist, Independent
Kent Emanuel, LHP, Sophomore, North Carolina, ACC
Dylan Floro, RHP, Junior, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Marty Gantt, OF, Senior, College of Charleston, SoCon
Kevin Gausman, RHP, Sophomore, Louisiana State, SEC
Jeff Gelalich, OF, Junior, UCLA, Pac-12
Marco Gonzales, LHP/IF, Sophomore, Gonzaga, WCC
Nick Goody, RHP, Junior, Louisiana State, SEC
Trevor Gott, RHP, Sophomore, Kentucky, SEC
Andrew Heaney, LHP, Junior, Oklanhoma State, Big 12
Kurt Heyer, RHP, Junior, Arizona, Pac-12
D.J. Hicks, IF, Junior, Central Florida, C-USA
Travis Jankowski, OF, Junior, Stony Brook, America East
Brian Johnson, LHP/IF, Junior, Florida, SEC
Derek Jones, OF, Junior, Washington State, Pac-12
Corey Knebel, RHP, Sophomore, Texas, Big 12
Pat Light, RHP, Junior, Monmouth, Northeast
Michael Lorenzen, OF/RHP, Sophomore, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Josh Ludy, C, Senior, Baylor, Big 12
Austin Maddox, RHP/IF, Junior, Florida, SEC
Luke Maile, C/IF, Junior, Kentucky, SEC
Michael Morin, RHP, Junior, North Carolina, ACC
Trenton Moses, IF, Senior, Southeast Missouri State, Ohio Valley
Tyler Naquin, OF, Junior, Texas A&M, Big 12
T.J. Oakes, RHP, Junior, Minnesota, Big Ten
Peter O’Brien, C, Senior, Miami (Fla.), ACC
D.J. Peterson, IF, Sophomore, New Mexico, Mountain West
Stephen Piscotty, IF/RHP, Junior, Stanford, Pac-12
Danny Poma, OF, Senior, Hofstra, CAA
Matt Price, RHP, RS Junior, South Carolina, SEC
James Ramsey, OF, Senior, Florida State, ACC
Matthew Reckling, RHP , Senior, Rice, C-USA
Tony Renda, IF, Junior, California, Pac-12
Raph Rhymes, OF , Junior, Louisiana State, SEC
Brady Rodgers, RHP, Junior, Arizona State, Pac-12
Carlos Rodon, LHP, Freshman, North Carolina State, ACC
Michael Roth, LHP/IF, Senior, South Carolina, SEC
Richie Shaffer, IF, Junior, Clemson, ACC
Ryne Stanek, RHP , Sophomore, Arkansas, SEC
Zach Stephens, IF, Sophomore, Tennessee Tech, Ohio Valley
Chris Stratton, RHP, Junior, Mississippi State, SEC
Ross Stripling, RHP, Senior, Texas A&M, Big 12
Marcus Stroman, RHP, Junior, Duke, ACC
Preston Tucker, IF, Senior, Florida, SEC
Josh Turley, LHP, Junior, Baylor, Big 12
Michael Wacha, RHP, Junior, Texas A&M, Big 12
Tyler Wagner, RHP, Sophomore, San Diego, WCC
Bobby Wahl, RHP, Sophomore, Mississippi, SEC
Christian Walker, IF, Junior, South Carolina, SEC
Alex Yarbrough, IF, Junior, Mississippi, SEC
Kyle Zimmer, RHP, Junior, San Francisco, WCC
Mike Zunino, C, Junior, Florida, SEC

DURHAM, N.C. — USA Baseball announced its preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List on Thursday, marking the organization’s first step toward identifying the top amateur baseball player in the country. Sponsored by Major League Baseball, the Golden Spikes Award will be presented in 2012 for the 35th time.

The Watch List features 50 of the nation’s top amateur players, and it will be a “rolling” list to ensure that athletes can play themselves into consideration for the Golden Spikes Award. The Golden Spikes Award trophy will be awarded live at MLB Network’s studios for the second year in a row, with a presentation scheduled for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week, July 9-13 (specific date to be announced). Through USA Baseball’s partnership with Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), the presentation will also be simulcast with a live stream available from GoldenSpikesAward.com, MLB.com and USABaseball.com.

Headlining the 2012 Watch List are six athletes who finished among the 30 semifinalists for the 2011 Golden Spikes Award. The players include Daniel Aldrich (OF, RS Sophomore, College of Charleston), D.J. Baxendale (RHP, Junior, Arkansas), Adam Brett Walker (OF/C, Junior, Jacksonville), Victor Roache (OF, Junior, Georgia Southern), Michael Roth (LHP/IF, Senior, South Carolina), and Mike Zunino (C, Junior, Florida).

“With only six semifinalists from 2011 on our preseason Watch List, 2012 promises to feature a wide-open competition for the Golden Spikes Award,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO. “The world of amateur baseball continues to provide us with an increasingly deep pool of talent, and we look forward to watching this year’s race for the award play out.”

Florida leads all schools with seven players named to the Watch List, and Arizona State, South Carolina, Stanford and Texas A&M all have three athletes named. For the third year in a row, the Southeastern Conference tops all conferences with 13 players. The Pac-12 Conference has nine players on the list, and the Atlantic Coast Conference has the third-most with seven. Juniors make up the majority of the list with 31 players named, down from 38 in 2011. Sophomores and seniors are represented by 10 and nine players, respectively.

Following the release of a second, 60-player Watch List on Tuesday, May 1, USA Baseball officials will announce the 30 semifinalists for the 2012 Golden Spikes Award on Tuesday, May 29. The list of 30 will then be sent to a voting body consisting of past USA Baseball National Team coaches and press officers, members of media that closely follow the amateur game, select professional baseball personnel and current USA Baseball staff, representing a group of more than 200 voters in total.

Fan voting will once again be a part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2012. Tuesday, May 29 marks the day when amateur baseball fans from across the country will be able to vote for their favorite semifinalist on GoldenSpikesAward.com. As part of this selection process, all voters will be asked to choose three players from the list of 30 names. On Tuesday, June 5, USA Baseball will announce the three finalists, and voting will once again commence that same day.

Beginning with Florida State’s Buster Posey in New York in 2008, USA Baseball partnered with MLBAM to create GoldenSpikesAward.com, and until 2011, streamed its annual presentations online live from MLB All-Star FanFest. Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State won the award in 2009 in St. Louis, and Bryce Harper of Southern Nevada took home the trophy from Anaheim in 2010. UCLA’s Trevor Bauer was the 2011 winner, accepting the trophy as part of a live presentation on “MLB Tonight” in MLB Network’s Studio 42.

Other past winners of the Golden Spikes Award include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994), J.D. Drew (1997), Mark Prior (2001), Jered Weaver (2004), Tim Lincecum (2006) and David Price (2007).

Important 2012 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award dates include:

Thursday, Feb. 16: 50-man preseason Watch List released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
Tuesday, May 1: 60-man midseason Watch List released, shaped by USA Baseball officials and advisors
Tuesday, May 29: 30 semifinalists announced, selected by USA Baseball officials; semifinalist voting begins; voters select three
Friday, June 1: Deadline to vote for finalists, 5 p.m. ET
Tuesday, June 5: Three finalists announced; finalist voting begins; voters to select one
Friday, June 15: Deadline to vote for winner, 5 p.m. ET
MLB All-Star Week (July 9-13), Date TBA: Live Golden Spikes Award presentation from MLB Network studios

The complete 2012 preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List is as follows:

Name, Position, Class, School, Conference (in order of name)

Daniel Aldrich, OF, RS Sophomore, College of Charleston, SoCon
Mark Appel, RHP, Junior, Stanford, Pac-12
Jeremy Baltz, OF, Junior, St. John’s, Big East
D.J. Baxendale, RHP, Junior, Arkansas, SEC
Chris Beck, RHP, Junior, Georgia Southern, SoCon
Adam Brett Walker, OF/C, Junior, Jacksonville, Atlantic Sun
Tony Bryant, RHP, Junior, Oregon State, Pac-12
Jason Coats, OF, Senior, Texas Christian, Mountain West
Bo Cuthbertson, IF, Senior, Southern Utah, Summit
Joey DeMichele, IF, Junior, Arizona State, Pac-12
Josh Dezse, RHP/IF, Sophomore, Ohio State, Big Ten
Kenny Diekroeger, IF, Junior, Stanford, Pac-12
Taylor Dugas, OF, Senior, Alabama, SEC
Josh Elander, C/OF, Junior, Texas Christian, Mountain West
Kent Emanuel, LHP, Sophomore, North Carolina, ACC
Dylan Floro, RHP, Junior, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Nolan Fontana, IF, Junior, Florida, SEC
Kevin Gausman, RHP, Sophomore, Lousiana State, SEC
Kurt Heyer, RHP, Junior, Arizona, Pac-12
Travis Jankowski, OF, Junior, Stony Brook, America East
Brian Johnson, LHP/IF, Junior, Florida, SEC
Branden Kline, RHP, Junior, Virginia, ACC
Corey Knebel, RHP, Sophomore, Texas, Big 12
Austin Kubitza, RHP, Sophomore, Rice, C-USA
Michael Lorenzen, OF, Sophomore, Cal State Fullerton, Big West
Austin Maddox, RHP/IF, Junior, Florida, SEC
Deven Marrero, IF, Junior, Arizona State, Pac-12
Hoby Milner, LHP, Junior, Texas, Big 12
Colin Moran, IF, Sophomore, North Carolina, ACC
Tom Murphy, C, Junior, Buffalo, Mid-American
Tyler Naquin, OF, Junior, Texas A&M, Big 12
Peter O’Brien, C, Senior, Miami (Fla.), ACC
Stephen Piscotty, IF, Junior, Stanford, Pac-12
Matt Price, RHP, RS Junior, South Carolina, SEC
James Ramsey, OF, Senior, Florida State, ACC
Hudson Randall, RHP, Junior, Florida, SEC
Tyler Ray, RHP, Senior, Troy, Sun Belt
Tony Renda, IF, Junior, California, Pac-12
Victor Roache, OF, Junior, Georgia Southern, SoCon
Brady Rodgers, RHP, Junior, Arizona State, Pac-12
Michael Roth, LHP/IF, Senior, South Carolina, SEC
Richie Shaffer, IF, Junior, Clemson, ACC
Ross Stripling, RHP, Senior, Texas A&M, Big 12
Marcus Stroman, RHP, Junior, Duke, ACC
Preston Tucker, IF, Senior, Florida, SEC
Michael Wacha, RHP, Junior, Texas A&M, Big 12
Christian Walker, IF, Junior, South Carolina, SEC
Karsten Whitson, RHP, Sophomore, Florida, SEC
Brad Zebedis, C/IF, Sophomore, Presbyterian, Big South
Mike Zunino, C, Junior, Florida, SEC

The Ax Man Cometh…

If you have spent any time watching the MLB Playoffs, Baseball Tonight or the MLB Network this season you have likely heard the incredible story about how Milwaukee’s John Axford has gone from cell phone salesman to Big League closer in the course of the last few years. However, that’s not even half of the journey that “Ax”, “The Ax Man” – pick your moniker – has gone through to get to where is is now.

Axford, who posted a 1.95 ERA with 46 saves for the NL Central champs this season, turned down the Seattle Mariners after they drafted him in the seventh round of the 2001 MLB Draft. He opted to play instead at Notre Dame, where he went to the College World Series as a freshman in 2002.

He was 5-2 that year after making 12 starts with five appearances out of the Irish bullpen. His fourth relief appearance was one of his most memorable. Axford entered game two of the Tallahassee Super Regional in the middle innings of what would be a 12-5 Irish loss.

In the fifth inning of that game, Florida State fans did what they always do-sang Oh Canada as the Seminoles prepared to bat in the home half of the inning. It’s doubtful the FSU faithful even gave thought to the fact that the lanky 6’6 Axford-a native of Port Dover, Ontario-was on the mound during their spirited chorus. “It fired me up a little,” Axford told me the next day.

While Axford’s 4 2/3 innings in that loss won’t go down in the Irish records books, they were important none the less. Axford did that day what a pro does. He did the same thing Tim Wakefield did for the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS when he chewed-up 3 1/3 innings in relief in a blowout loss to the Yankees-he held the line. Notre Dame, led by current LSU skipper Paul Mainieri (current Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor was his pitching coach), knocked off the top ranked Seminoles 3-1 the next day to advance to Omaha.

Axford made one relief appearance at the CWS, but it would be the last NCAA Tournament appearance of his career. While teammates like Steve Stanley and Brian Stavisky were drafted that year by Billy Beane and eventually mentioned in Michael Lewis‘ book Moneyball, Axford is one of just two players from that ’02 team to make it to the MLB (they other was Matt Macri who missed the postseason due to injury).

He pitched for Mainieri and O’Connor again in 2003, missed all of ’04 after Tommy John surgery and then complete his collegiate career at Canisus in 2006.

But it wasn’t the elbow surgery that held Axford back as much as his problems with control. The Ax Man had 133 strikeouts, but walked 109 with 21 wild pitches in his two seasons under the Golden Dome. Things were no better as Canisus, where he walked and struckout 79 with 15 wild pitches in 70 innings, while going 3-8.

The guy who was considered by some publications to be the top prep player in Canada in 2001 could lather and rinse, but he just couldn’t repeat. Axford could be brilliantly dominant one day and then dumbfoundedly disastrous the next. Think Nuke Laloosh.

It was never more evident that two midweek starts for the Irish in 2003. Axford struckout 12 with no walks in 7.0 innings in an April 9 win over Western Michigan. However, he followed that start with 5 BB and just 4 K in a win over Central Michigan. Throw-in a 7 BB performance in 2 1/3 innings of relief in a Big East Tournament loss to Rutgers that May and it’s easy to see why it took the guy who now sports the second most recognizable facial hair in the Big Leagues to matriculate his way to Milwaukee.

Ask anyone who knows John Axford though, and they will tell you he is as good a person as he is a pitcher. He’s a case study in perseverance paying off over the long haul. Axford is doing now what he did that day in June in Tallahassee-holding the line.

The Dan Man Can…

Dan Johnson

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman, Dan Johnson, is another big league player with college connections. Johnson is probably now best known for his two-out, two-strike home run in the bottom of the ninth last week against the Yankees to help propel the Rays into the AL Playoffs. Like Axford, Johnson is also well traveled.

Johnson started his collegiate career at Butler University in Indianapolis before transferring to a junior college and eventually Nebraska. He batted .361 with 25 home runs and 86 RBIs in 2001 to help the program reach its first ever College World Series.

The 32-year-old made his Big League debut with the Oakland A’s in 2005. He stayed there through 2008, when Tampa Bay claimed him off waivers. Johnson then spent the 2009 season with the Yokohama Baystars in Japan. He has spent the last two seasons back in Tampa. His last hit prior to last week’s dramatic home run was in April.

Johnson and Axford are among 175 former college players on the 40-man rosters of this year’s MLB Playoff teams. Click Here to see more.

Who Needs High School…

Vanderbilt's Chris Harvey

Bryce Harper is probably the most famous player to skip his final year of high school to prepare for a future in baseball, but he is not the only one. Harper skipped his last two years of high school to enroll and play for a year at a junior college before the Washington Nationals made him their top draft pick.

Like Harper, Chris Harvey has jumped from high school to college early. However, unlike Harper, Harvey is doing at a higher level – both academically and athletically.

Harvey, a catcher like Harper, should be a senior at Germantown Academy in Pennsylvania, but instead he is working toward a shot to be Vanderbilt’s catcher in a year Tim Corbin‘s Commodores are coming off their first College World Series appearance.

The 6’6 Harvey was projected by many to go in the first three rounds of the 2012 MLB Draft, but the itch to play college ball was something he could not resist.

“It’s something that I wanted to do for a while,” Harvey recently told Max Preps. “This gives me an extra year of college, it helps me become a more well-rounded person, and the academics had a lot to do with it. I always wanted to come to Vanderbilt, and to be honest, me and my family weren’t really depending on what we were hearing [from Major League scouts and teams]. I think they basically all said what I wanted to hear.”

Other players who left high school in recent years to begin their college careers early include Levi Michael of North Carolina and UCLA’s Trevor Bauer. Things worked out well for both of them, as both made it to Omaha with their teams. Bauer was the third overall pick by Arizona in this year’s MLB Draft, while Michael went 30th overall to Minnesota.

Who Needs Two?

Speaking of Vanderbilt, tickets are on sale now for the DeMarini Fall Classic between the Commodores and Cal State Fullerton. The two games will take place October 22 & 23 at Vandy’s Hawkins Field in Nashville. The Titans are led by first year head coach Rick Vanderhook, who was an assistant on UCLA’s 2010 CWS runner-up team. Vanderhook was hired after Dave Serrano left Fullerton to become head coach at Tennessee.

Missouri and Iowa Lending A Helping Hand…

The Missouri and Iowa baseball teams will play a pair of fall exhibition games this weekend (October 8 & 9) and the proceeds from the games will go to a worthy cause.

All proceeds from those games will go directly toward rebuilding Joplin, Missouri’s Little League baseball programs, which were ravaged by tornadoes last May. Saturday’s baseball game will be held prior to the Missouri-Kansas State football game. First pitch for the exhibition is set for 12:30 (Central Time) and kickoff for the football game is at 2:30 pm. Sunday’s game starts at 1 pm.

Fans who can’t attend the games but would like to donate to the cause can contact Missouri director of baseball operations, Evan Pratte, at 573-882-1917 or via e-mail at prattee@missouri.edu.

CLICK HERE to see a video with Mizzou head coach Tim Jamieson further discussing the Joplin relief effort.

Schedules, Schedules and More Schedules…

Now that October is here, we will continue to see more and more college baseball teams release their 2012 schedules. we will link them along with team rosters on our master Schedule Page as they are released.

Long Beach State has the best non-conference slate that I have seen so far. Cal, UCLA, USC, Oregon, Arizona State Washington State, and Wichita State are all among the teams the Dirt Bags will face in 2012.

Trevor Bauer

Bauer becomes the first player in UCLA history to earn the Golden Spikes Award, which has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country since 1978. The GSA is sponsored by Major League Baseball and presented each year to the player who best exhibits exception on-field ability and exemplary sportsmanship.

Bauer was joined on stage with the award’s other two finalists, pitchers Danny Hultzen (Virginia) and Taylor Jungmann (Texas), and their families.

Already honored as the national player of the year by Baseball America and Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball, Bauer had a sensational year for UCLA in 2011. He went 13-2 with a 1.25 ERA in 136.2 innings and led the nation in strikeouts (203) and complete games (10). He allowed just 22 runs (19 earned) and 73 hits, limiting the opposition to a conference-leading .154 batting average.

The day after UCLA’s season ended, Bauer was selected as the No. 3 overall selection in the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bauer set UCLA career records in strikeouts (460), wins (34) and innings (373.1) and owns the school’s top two marks in single-season strikeouts with 203 in 2011 and 165 in 2010.  In two postseasons, Bauer collected a 4-0 record with a 3.00 ERA, logging school records with 55 strikeouts in 39.0 innings. No UCLA pitcher has ever collected three postseason victories, and only five pitchers have earned two wins.

In his final start, Bauer established himself as the Pac-12 Conference’s single-season strikeout leader. He finished the 2011 season with 203 strikeouts, one ahead of Mark Prior’s 202 strikeouts in 2001 at USC. Bauer ranks second on the conference’s career strikeouts list, 31 shy of Tim Lincecum’s 491 strikeouts at Washington (2004-06).

Bauer was honored as National Pitcher of the Year at the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Night of Champions in Lubbock, Texas, on July 3. At the conclusion of the regular season, he captured 2011 Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year honors. He was a three-time All-Pac-10 Team selection, just the second player in school history to accomplish that feat (along with infielder Garrett Atkins, 1998-2000).

USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Winners

(in chronological order)

Year     Player Name                 College Attended

1978     Bob Horner                   Arizona State

1979     Tim Wallach                  Cal State Fullerton

1980     Terry Francona              Arizona

1981     Mike Fuentes                 Florida State

1982     Augie Schmidt              New Orleans

1983     Dave Magadan              Alabama

1984     Oddibe McDowell          Arizona State

1985     Will Clark                       Mississippi State

1986     Mike Loynd                   Florida State

1987     Jim Abbott                    Michigan

1988     Robin Ventura               Oklahoma State

1989     Ben McDonald              LSU

1990     Alex Fernandez             Miami-Dade Community College

1991     Mike Kelly                     Arizona State

1992     Phil Nevin                     Cal State Fullerton

1993     Darren Dreifort              Wichita State

1994     Jason Varitek                Georgia Tech

1995     Mark Kotsay                  Cal State Fullerton

1996     Travis Lee                     San Diego State

1997     J.D. Drew                     Florida State

1998     Pat Burrell                     Miami

1999     Jason Jennings             Baylor

2000     Kip Bouknight               South Carolina

2001     Mark Prior                     University of Southern California

2002     Khalil Greene                 Clemson

2003     Rickie Weeks                 Southern

2004     Jered Weaver                Long Beach State

2005     Alex Gordon                 Nebraska

2006     Tim Lincecum                Washington

2007     David Price                   Vanderbilt

2008     Buster Posey                Florida State

2009     Stephen Strasburg        San Diego State

2010     Bryce Harper                 College of Southern Nevada

2011     Trevor Bauer                UCLA

It came right down to the wire, but number one overall MLB draft pick Bryce Harper signed his first professional contract with the Washington Nationals just before the deadline late Monday night.  The 17-year-old junior college player inked a five year contract worth a reported $9.9 million, including a $6.25 million signing bonus.

Bryce Harper

Harper’s deal was inked just seconds before the 12:01 am E.T. deadline early Tuesday morning.  Like Harper, last year’s top pick, Stephen Strasburg, is also represented by Scott Boras. Like Harper, Strasburg’s negotiations with the Nationals went down to the wire.

Harper is expected to be introduced to the Washington D.C. media next week during the Nationals’ next homestand. He will begin his career in the Gulf Coast League and then play in the fall Instructional League.

Seven other college players who were taken in the first round of June’s draft also inked deadline deals.  The highest of those pick is former Ole Miss pitcher Drew Pomeranz.  The lefty was taken with the #5 pick and signed with the Cleveland Indians for $2.65 million.

Other college first round signees (with their corresponding draft order) include:

7. Matt Harvey-RHP-North Carolina/New York Mets – $2.525 million signing bonus

11. Deck McGuire-RHP-Georgia Tech/Toronto Blue Jays – $2 million signing bonus

12. Yasmani Grandal-C-Miami (FL)/Cincinnati Reds – $2.99 million four-year contract

24. Gary Brown-OF-Cal State Fullerton/San Francisco Giants – $1.45 million signing bonus

25. Zack Cox-3B-Arkansas/St. Louis Cardinals – $2.99 million four-year contract

26. Kyle Parker-OF-Clemson/Colorado Rockies – $1.4 million bonus

CLICK HERE to continue reading about the college player drafted in the first round who didn’t sign as well as Kyle Parker’s unique contract.

The countdown is on for big league teams to sign players who were selected in the 2010 MLB Draft. With the deadline Monday night at midnight E.T. (officially 12:01 am Tuesday, August 17), 17 first round draft picks remain unsigned. Nine of those 17 are college baseball players.

Overall #1 draft pick Bryce Harper

Number one overall pick, Bryce Harper, played just a year at the College of Southern Nevada. The 17-year-old phenom got his GED so he could skip his senior year of high school to begin his march toward the professional ranks. He hit ,442 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs while leading Coyotes to the Junior College World Series. He also received the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur baseball player.

The Washington Nationals took Harper with the top pick in this year’s draft, just as they did with former San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg last year. Like Strasburg, Harper is a client of mega agent Scott Boras, who is known as a tough negotiator. Harper also still has three years of college eligibility remaining, which gives him plenty of bargaining leverage.

Interestingly, Harper’s junior college coach, Tim Chambers, has already left Southern Nevada to become the head coach at UNLV.

Most of the other eight unsigned first round college players are juniors, which gives them negotiating leverage as well.  Zack Cox of Arkansas is one of the exceptions. He is a draft eligible sophomore because he is already 21 years old.  Cox was taken by St. Louis with the 25th overall pick in June.

Here’s a look at other unsigned first round college players with their corresponding draft order:

5. Drew Pomeranz-LHP-Ole Miss./Cleveland Indians

6. Barret Loux-RHP-Texas A&M/Arizona Diamondbacks

7. Matt Harvey-RHP-North Carolina/New York Mets

11. Deck McGuire-RHP-Georgia Tech/Toronto Blue Jays

12. Yasmani Grandal-C-Miami (FL)/Cincinnati Reds

24. Gary Brown-OF-Cal State Fullerton/San Francisco Giants

26. Kyle Parker-OF-Clemson/Colorado Rockies

Parker is a bit of a wild card, because he plays both football and baseball at Clemson. This past year he became the first player in Division One history to throw 20 touchdown passes and hit at least 20 home runs in the same academic year. He has three years of eligibility remaining on the football team, but just one season remaining with the baseball team.

Parker’s self-imposed deadline for the Rockies to sign him passed last month, but there is always the chance he could sign with Colorado before the deadline, continue to play football for the Tigers and then play minor league baseball next spring and summer.

In partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) and Major League Baseball Advanced Media, the interactive media and Internet company of MLB, the award was presented at MLB All-Star FanFest in Anaheim. In conjunction with the presentation, an award show highlighting the five finalists for the GSA was aired www.MLB.com.

2010 Golden Spikes Award winner Bryce Harper.

Chris Duffy (Central Florida), Yasmani Grandal (Miami [Fla.]), Drew Pomeranz (Mississippi) and Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast) were the other finalists for the award.

“This year’s five finalists for the Golden Spikes Award presented our voting committee with another difficult challenge,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO.

“Each player authored an incredible season in 2010, and they are all deserving of the award. In the end, however, the committee determined that Bryce Harper’s incredible season with Southern Nevada stood above the rest. We at USA Baseball are honored to recognize Bryce’s achievements with the award for the top amateur baseball player in the country.”

The No. 1 overall selection by the Washington Nationals in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Harper exceeded all expectations during his freshman season at Southern Nevada (CSN), belting 31 home runs (CSN single-season record), with 98 RBIs and a .443 average. The Las Vegas native was named 2010 Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Year and First Team SWAC All-Conference.

The Coyotes backstop also received several accolades from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) including ABCA Division I Baseball Player of the Year, Division I Baseball First-Team All-American and Division I Rawlings Big Stick Award Winner.

The selection of Harper marks the second time in the history of the GSA that a junior college player won the award. Alex Fernandez (Miami Dade CC) took home the trophy in 1990. Harper and Fernandez are also the only two non-NCAA Division I players to ever win the award as well.

Harper becomes the second catcher in three years to win the GSA, joining 2008’s recipient, Buster Posey (Florida State). Jason Varitek (Georgia Tech, 1994) is the only other backstop to have won the GSA.

For the third year in a row, fans were able to stay up to date on the award by visiting www.GoldenSpikesAward.com. The Web site features content devoted exclusively to the GSA, including news, voting history, past-winner photo galleries, and photographs and video highlights for 2010 finalists.

Since 1978 USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the GSA. Following the first ever presentation of the trophy to Bob Horner of Arizona State, the GSA has been awarded each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship.

The 2009 GSA winner was Stephen Strasburg of San Diego State. Past winners of the prestigious award include current Major League Baseball players such as Posey (’08), David Price (’07), Tim Lincecum (’06), Alex Gordon (’05), Jered Weaver (’04), Rickie Weeks (’03), Khalil Greene (’02), Jason Jennings (’00), Pat Burrell (’98), J.D. Drew (’97), Mark Kotsay (’95), and Jason Varitek (’94). Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Robin Ventura (’88), Jim Abbott (’87), Will Clark (’85), Dave Magadan (’83), Terry Francona (’80), Tim Wallach (’79) and Bob Horner (’78).

LAS VEGAS – Tim Chambers has been named the sixth UNLV head baseball coach in history, Director of Athletics Jim Livengood announced Friday.

One of the country’s most successful baseball mentors at the high school, American Legion and then junior college levels over the past two decades, Chambers takes over the Rebels after 11 seasons leading the nationally ranked College of Southern Nevada program. He has also served as athletics director for CSN since 2003.

Tim Chambers

“Tim Chambers brings an incredibly accomplished resume with him to UNLV after his years at Bishop Gorman High School and at the College of Southern Nevada,” Livengood said. “His knowledge for the game, his love of this community and his total commitment to excellence were all factors that brought us to the decision to hire him to lead our baseball program. Timing is everything and this is the right time for Tim Chambers and the right time for UNLV.”

Named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times, including this season, Chambers built the Coyotes’ powerful program from the ground up and has enjoyed stunning success: seven conference championships, three region titles, two district crowns and the 2003 JUCO World Series Championship. This year’s squad, led by top Major League Baseball draft pick Bryce Harper, was ranked second in the nation and finished 52-16 overall after reaching the national semifinals earlier this month.

“I want to thank my family at CSN for everything over the past 11 years and now I am looking forward to starting a new family at UNLV,” Chambers said. “I’m doing this to have a chance to go to Omaha (for the College World Series). I don’t know of many people who get the opportunity to coach at the high school, junior college and Division One levels all in the same town, so this can be something really special.”

Before moving to CSN, Chambers served as head coach at Las Vegas’ Bishop Gorman High School from 1991-99 where he won six consecutive Sunset Division championships (1992-97) and was the state runner-up in 1997. The NIAA High School Baseball Coach of the Year in 1993 and ’94 was also head coach of the American Legion Las Vegas Knights from 1991-99, winning numerous local, regional and national awards. The three-time state champions played in the 1998 American Legion World Series and finished the season ranked fifth in the nation.

After a college playing career that saw him named all-conference at three different schools, including earning All-America honors at Dixie College in 1984, Chambers earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University in 1989. He and his wife, Kimberlie, have two daughters, McKenzie (16) and Chase (3).