MLB Draft brings intrigue for locals
Aiello, Long and Tice hopeful name gets called
The next few days are big in a baseball player’s career. It is especially big for the select few that have a chance to make their childhood dream a reality and begin a career in professional baseball.
Some are just wrapping a chapter of excellence in college. Other youngsters have to make the difficult decision between holding true to their scholarship and commitment or taking the money, boarding a plane, and heading off to a short-season minor league team.
No matter what happens, players like John Aiello, Kevin Long, and Dylan Tice have plenty of baseball ahead of them. They are no shoe-ins to hear their names called on Monday, June 8th dur-
ing the MLB First Year Player Draft. But there is a chance.
John Aiello made his named on the summer circuit, competing in showcase tournaments and tearing the cover off the ball. The Hatfield native and Germantown Academy student was a possible first-round pick after his junior season.
However after Tommy John surgery and a subpar senior year as the Patriots designated hitter, Aiello may look to increase his stock back up with a college career at Wake Forest. Once the arms is fully healthy, Aiello will return to the field where he will play either shortstop or third base.
Aiello still has the raw tools to go on the second day of the draft. Pennridge alum and recent West Chester grad Dylan Tice has all the tools and dominated at every spot he has played at. The middle infielder was all-league i n high school and all-league at IUP before moving to West Chester for his senior season, but could hear his name called.
The Division-Two level may not scare teams away as much as his always questioned size, power, and speed combo. But he has put together a Tony Gwynn-like approach (hitting for a high average) during his collegiate career, which includes summer league MVP awards.
Tice may have to wait for Day Three to hear his name, but he is a gamble a team might take. As is Lehigh’s Kevin Long. A Hatboro native and LaSalle College High School pitcher, the junior will most likely stay a Mountain Hawk for his senior season.
With the Explorers in high school he was the winning pitcher when they won the PIAA state championship in 2012 and scouts love his ability to compete. Several of his college teammates may also get a look, including Quakertown native Brandon Kulp.
If not on Monday in the MLB Draft, these players have some good baseball ahead of them. Whether at Wake Forest or Lehigh, or in Independent Ball for Tice, it should be interesting few days listening to 1,000 names being called, only hoping to hear their own.