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DENVER – From June 3-5, the Colorado Rockies scoured the continent for the next Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story and David Dahl as part of the 2019 MLB Draft.
On Tuesday, they showed off three of their 41 selections who put pen to paper and officially became members of the Rockies family: Aaron Schunk, Jacob Wallace and Brenton Doyle.
Two of the first three picks by the Rockies have yet to sign with the organization since their college programs have still been active deep into the postseason.
Michael Toglia from UCLA was selected in the 1st Rd with the 23rd overall pick and will play first base and possibly some outfield; Karl Kauffman attended the University of Michigan and was drafted in the 2nd Rd as part of the Competitive Balance Round B with the 77th overall pick and will continue as a starting pitcher. Coincidentally, Toglia’s Bruins lost to Kauffman’s Wolverines to send Michigan to their first College World Series in 35 years.
Aaron Schunk (UGA): 2nd Rd, #62 – 3B
Schunk was drafted on the heels of a strong junior season as a third baseman and closer for the University of Georgia. The 21-year-old Bulldog is a finalist for the John Olerud Award for the nation’s best two-way player, his second straight nomination.
Though talented both at the plate and on the mound, the Atlanta native who once played high school ball against Brendan Rodgers will focus on playing at the hot corner for the Boise Hawks when their season begins on Friday, June 14.
On his favorite type of big play:
“I’d probably say at the plate. I’ve always been partial to hitting at the plate, making a good play at third and then getting to come up to hit. I think playing defense and hitting has always been my calling. I really enjoy playing on defense. It won’t hurt too bad (to give up pitching).”
On being a part of the same organization as fellow third baseman Nolan Arenado:
“I was extremely excited was my initial reaction. In Spring Training, I’ll get to learn from one of the best to ever do it. He’s a guy I’ve always modeled my game after. He’s a guy that goes out and grinds and works really hard every day. Gets everything he works for, so that’s how I try to take my game. Anything I can learn from him and pick his brain, I’ll be happy to do.”
Jacob Wallace (UCONN): 3rd Rd, #100 – RP
Selected as a reliever from the University of Connecticut, the 20-year-old from Massachusetts have several connections within the Rockies organization. He’ll start with Boise and has the potential to be a fast-riser in the system as he progresses.
Last season, Wallace served as the setup man for PJ Poulin, who was drafted by Colorado in the 11th round of the 2018 draft. His relationship with Poulin is one that didn’t ended after their days playing for the Huskies. “I called him a few hours after the draft and talked to him about the whole experience,” Wallace shared. “He told me really great things so I’m really excited.” Current Rockies reliever Scott Oberg has also had a big impact on Wallace’s life so far and will surely continue to do so as the youngster develops as a professional.
On becoming a Husky and turning down a scholarship elsewhere:
“I got a few offers and UConn ended up being a roster spot, just a walk-on. I took a chance on that and it panned out. I had a good offer from UMass-Lowell, which is a college just 20 minutes from me….Then, I met Oberg. He was a UConn guy, he was in the bigs. I had that little spark there and UConn ended up reaching out to me a few weeks later and it took off from there. I went to one of their camps and they ended up offering me a roster spot.”
On his jump in talent from a Junior to Senior:
“I was coming off a good summer in the Cape, a 0.00 ERA. Going into the season, I knew I had to be one of the top arms. I had to take Poulin’s closer role and that would be a lot because he had a lot of pressure last year and had to perform in a lot of situations.”
Brenton Doyle (Shephard University): 4th Rd, #129 – CF
The first Division II player drafted in 2019 was this 21-year-old from Shephard University in West Virginia. Only the third player drafted from his school, Doyle originally committing to Virginia Military Institute (VMI). The 21-year-old ultimately preferred the school atmosphere in Shephardstown as more conducive to growing his abilities as a ballplayer. He’ll begin his professional career with Grand Junction, who begins its season on June 14 and will travel to Colorado Springs for a series against the Rocky Mountain Vibes on June 21-23.
On the experience at Shephard University:
“It’s always been a pretty good D2 program. We’ve always had a winning program. I think they’re going to get a lot of exposure from here on out.”
On developing as a professional with a less-than lackluster pedigree:
“Definitely just keep building in every aspect of my game. Seeing better competition as well, surrounding myself with great players. A lot of potential can be fulfilled. I’m just ready to get started… I do have a pretty good chip on my shoulder. There’s a lot of people that doubt me because I’m a D2 guy and haven’t done the competition… I’m ready to prove the doubters wrong and get to work.”
While it may be a couple years before we know the true potential of these young players, there’s no doubt that the short-season locales of Grand Junction and Boise will be getting some quality talent for the remainder of the summer.
