Fall report: Maine trying to build on MLB draft momentum

Nick Sinacola will return to the Brockton Rox this summer after earning Top Pitching Prospect in 2019. (Maine Athletics)

Editor’s note: This is the second in an offseason series profiling the region’s Division 1 baseball programs.

Wins and losses, of course, is the most common measuring stick for the success of Division 1 baseball programs, but Maine coach Nick Derba is quick to point out that there often is much more to the story.

Certainly, the Black Bears are looking to bounce back next spring and return to the final round of America East postseason play for the first time since 2017. Non-conference series at Florida State, Maryland and Mississippi State tested Maine a year ago and should have them prepared to compete and win going into a new season.

But there’s plenty more to be excited about in Orono. Derba’s program has churned out multiple Major League Baseball draft picks in each of the past two years, meaning that a player’s ultimate dream can be attained even from the northeasternmost U.S. state.