The Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft is a chaotic and emotional time for players and their families. It's a day filled with anticipation, disbelief, and a mix of excitement and anxiety. For some, it's a life-changing moment, while for others, it's a moment of reflection and realization. This year, The Athletic asked a group of Cleveland Guardians players to share their draft-day memories, and the stories they shared were as diverse as the players themselves.
One player, Slade Cecconi, recalled the unique experience of being drafted during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 33rd round, and the process was entirely remote. Cecconi took about 50 video calls with teams leading up to the draft, and he signed his contract electronically, a far cry from the usual in-person experience. His mom made the moment memorable by having him sign a printed copy of the contract with an actual pen, a gesture that brought a sense of normalcy to the unusual situation.
Another player, Austin Hedges, was convinced he would be a first-rounder in 2011. He had a camera crew and reporters at his house to chronicle the moment, but when he arrived at the high school banquet, he was met with a wave of disappointment. He wasn't a first-rounder, and the Boston Red Sox passed on him in the first round. The next day, he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the second round, and he signed for $3 million, a significant amount for a late-round pick.
Erik Sabrowski, a reliever for the Guardians, started as a hitter at Cisco College before transferring to Cloud County Community College. He thought he would be a Day 2 pick in 2018, but when his name didn't come up, he was frustrated. The next morning, he was cooking breakfast when his wife shouted, 'Erik, that's you!' The Padres had taken him in the 14th round, and he felt a mix of emotions, from disbelief to excitement.
Tim Herrin, a fellow reliever, was drafted in the 29th round in 2018. He was only casually tracking the draft at his brother's high school graduation party when his agent texted him that Cleveland was interested. He signed for a $100,000 signing bonus and celebrated with his brother, turning a graduation party into a dual celebration.
Shawn Armstrong, another reliever, was projected to go in the first 10 rounds in 2011 but turned down offers from a few teams. He went to sleep on the couch in his family's living room, and his mom woke him up to tell him Cleveland had taken him in the 18th round. He signed for a lower-than-expected offer and felt a mix of emotions, from disappointment to relief.
Steven Kwan, a fifth-round pick out of Oregon State, recalled the moment he saw his name pop up on the draft ticker. He was in disbelief, having been told to expect a team to take him in the 10-12 range. The deprecator in him questioned whether it would happen, but when it did, he felt a mix of emotions, from excitement to relief.
Joey Cantillo, a 16th-round pick, had a mixed feeling about being drafted. He wasn't thrilled with his senior season of high school, but he was drafted by the Padres, who offered him a significant signing bonus. He felt a mix of disappointment and relief, realizing that his hard work had paid off.
Parker Messick, a second-round pick in 2022, recalled the anticipation and excitement of the draft night at his grandparents' house in Florida. He didn't tell his friends and relatives the identity of the team on the other end of the call, and they tried to guess which hat he'd be placing atop his head. When the Guardians made the pick, he felt a mix of emotions, from relief to excitement.
Hoskins, a player who was passed over by the Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies, was eventually drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round. He felt a mix of emotions, from disappointment to relief, as he realized the long journey to the MLB had finally come to an end.
Stephen Vogt, an undrafted senior prospect in 2007, recalled the moment he saw his name pop up on the draft ticker. He felt a mix of emotions, from excitement to relief, as he realized his dream of playing in the MLB was finally coming true.
Matt Festa, a player who started at Dominican University, recalled the moment he received an email from East Stroudsburg, inviting him on a campus tour. He felt a mix of emotions, from excitement to relief, as he realized his hard work had paid off, and he was on his way to the MLB.
Kahlil Watson, a first-rounder in 2021, recalled the moment he saw his name pop up on the draft ticker. He felt a mix of emotions, from excitement to relief, as he realized his dream of playing in the MLB was finally coming true. The entire city of Raleigh, N.C., seemed to be there to celebrate with him.
These stories showcase the diverse experiences of players on draft day, from the unique circumstances of being drafted during a pandemic to the mix of emotions felt when seeing one's name pop up on the draft ticker. It's a day filled with anticipation, disbelief, and a mix of excitement and anxiety, but for these players, it was a day that changed their lives forever.
