July 19, 2011
MLB draft: Emotional day for Leathersich
by Roger Brown/
UMass-Lowell's Jack Leathersich (Beverly, Mass.) was drafted in the fifth round by the Mets. (photo: UMass-Lowell Athletics)
The 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was extra emotional for UMass-Lowell left-handed pitcher Jack Leathersich.
The New York Mets selected Leathersich (Beverly, Mass.) in the fifth round, one day after former UMass-Lowell teammate Adam Keenan (Lowell, Mass.) collapsed and died from cardiac arrest following a practice with the Future Collegiate Baseball League’s Seacoast Mavericks.
Keenan, who recently completed his sophomore season at UMass-Lowell, was one of two dozen players on hand for the first-year team’s inaugural workout at Spaulding High School in Rochester, N.H. The FCBL is a first-year summer league that places an emphasis on promoting New England players.
“I can’t put the feeling into words,” Leathersich said after he was drafted. “I want to thank Coach Harring (UMass-Lowell coach Ken Harring), the staff, my family, friends and teammates.
“After what happened last night (Keenan’s death), this is for Adam and the whole team. It makes you realize you need to savor every moment in your life.”
Keenan transferred to UMass-Lowell after spending his freshman season at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H.
Leathersich, a left-handed pitcher, became the highest draft selection in UMass-Lowell history, edging David Williamson. St. Louis selected Williamson in the sixth round of the 2002 draft.
Leathersich had a 6-2 record with a 1.62 ERA as a junior this spring. He limited opposing hitters to a .175 batting average and ranked second among NCAA players in strikeouts per nine innings (12.74). Leathersich broke three UMass-Lowell records this season: strikeouts in a season (126), strikeouts per nine innings (12.74) and most times striking out 10 or more batters in a game (seven).
“The Mets got a player that won’t be scared by the big stage; he’s going to thrive in that kind of environment,” Harring said. “New York is an organization he can develop in, and if he works his tail off and pitches the way I know he can, I think he can get to the big leagues in a few years.”
He will attempt to become the third UMass-Lowell player to play Major League Baseball. Mike LaValliere played for four teams during a 12-year MLB career (1984-95), and Matt Tupman spent part of the 2008 season with the Kansas City Royals.
Chin music
Buckingham, Browne & Nichols left-handed pitcher Andrew Chin (Newton, Mass.) expected to be drafted but perhaps not as high as he was taken.
The New York Mets selected Chin in the fifth round after he pitched only five innings during his senior season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May. He had just finished a rehabilitation session at Massachusetts General Hospital when he learned he had been selected.
“I’ve always been dreaming of this moment happening, but I didn’t expect it to come at this time because I haven’t been pitching,” Chin said.
Chin, who committed to Boston College, is scheduled to resume light throwing in September.
Paralyzed player selected
The Houston Astros selected relief pitcher Buddy Lamothe (Lyndon, Vt.) in the 40th round. Lamothe was paralyzed after a swimming accident in Texas on May 1.
Prior to the accident, Lamothe was having a stellar freshman season at San Jacinto College in Houston. He had 28 strikeouts and a 0.77 ERA in 23⅓ innings during the 2011 season.
Lamothe, who helped Lyndon win Vermont’s Division 2 championship in 2009, is currently in Breckenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas, with an injury to his spinal cord.
Lamothe’s selection came seven rounds after the Texas Rangers picked University of Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor, who was paralyzed March 6 after a collision with teammate Zach Cone.
Cote’s mixed message
Winnisquam Regional High School right-handed pitcher Jordan Cote (Sanbornton, N.H.) received a text message alerting him that he was about to be selected minutes before the New York Yankees chose him with the 118th pick in the third round — but the message came from the Tampa Bay Rays, not the Yankees.
Tampa Bay had the 119th selection.
“It was a surprise, and I liked the surprise,” said Cote, a longtime Yankees fan.
Cote, who signed a national letter of intent to play for Coastal Carolina, pitched a no-hitter to help Winnisquam beat previously unbeaten Somersworth in last year’s Class M championship game.
Franklin Pierce streak
Franklin Pierce is the only New England school to have at least one player selected in each of the past 11 drafts.
Junior catcher Mike Dowd (East Bridgewater, Mass.) was the Franklin Pierce player selected this year. The Seattle Mariners took Dowd in the 12th round.
“Dowd has put together three very good seasons for us and has been the backbone of our defense,” Franklin Pierce coach Jayson King said.
“When he goes out to play pro ball, somebody is going to really like what he has to offer.”
Dowd became the 18th Franklin Pierce player selected in the draft, and all 18 have come since 2001. Among New England schools, only Boston College (35) and UConn (32) have had more players taken in the draft.
Dowd finished last season ranked among the top five in the Northeast-10 in batting average (.342), hits (69), doubles (17) and total bases (101).
Maine menu
The University of Maine had two players selected in this year’s draft: junior center field Taylor Lewis (Montville, Conn.) and junior right-handed pitcher Keith Bilodeau (Bourne, Mass.).
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Lewis in the 10th round, and the San Francisco Giants chose Bilodeau in the 24th round.
Lewis batted .321, scored 118 runs and collected 92 RBI in 148 games with Maine. He set the America East record for triples in a season (13) last spring.
Bilodeau was 10-3 with a 3.04 record last season. He pitched a team-high 91⅔ innings and had five complete games. His 10 wins tied a school record for victories in a season.
This article originally appeared in the July 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal.
Roger Brown can be reached at feedback@baseballjournal.com
