I went that high again??
Last weekend, the Transcontinental Baseball League held their draft not in the freezing cold of the Northeast but rather in Phoenix, Arizona where there are fun distractions such as baseball spring training. Great idea!
It was Cody Bellinger who topped the TBL draft (just like the Illowa APBA League and the Boys of Summer League). Darrell Skogen’s Midwest Mongrels tabbed him when they were on the clock.
Courtesy of Steve Stein, here is how the first round of their draft went:
| 1 | MID | BELLINGER,Cody |
| 2 | MLR | MONCADA,Yoan |
| 3 | KNX | OLSON,Matt |
| 4 | BH | DEVERS,Rafael |
| 5 | RYE | DEJONG,Paul |
| 6 | RIV | ALBIES,Ozzie |
| 7 | STM | HAPP,Ian |
| 8 | WAR | GREEN,Chad |
| 9 | HOB | CASTILLO,Luis |
| 10 | COL | HOSKINS,Rhys |
| 11 | GC | MONTGOMERY,Jordan |
| 12 | KAN | TAYLOR,Chris |
| 13 | HUD | MARGOT,Manuel |
| 14 | NW | ALFARO,Jorge |
| 15 | MAR | ZIMMER,Bradley |
| 16 | ZIO | MANCINI,Trey |
| 17 | MUN | ROSARIO,Amed |
| 18 | NBO | MARQUEZ,German |
| 19 | DET | LAMET,Dinelson |
| 20 | LV | FARIA,Jake |
| 21 | CAY | BARNES,Austin |
| 22 | WHT | WILLIAMS,Nick |
| 23 | IND | WINKER,Jesse |
| 24 | BRO | HADER,Josh |
You can see the entire TBL draft here.
The 2018 TBL draft is pretty similar to the 2018 Illowa draft. One major difference because of Illowa rules allowed Aaron Judge’s eligibility in 2018. He was a a no-brainer.
When the IAL draft is done, we traditionally ask, “Who did we miss?” or “What player that we didn’t pick is going to be the next superstar?”. Most IAL managers said, “Trey Mancini”. Mancini was a full-time outfielder who came in third in the rookie of the year award vote yet he did not get picked in 51 picks in the Illowa League.
Looks like the Elders of Zion of the TBL were not going to miss out on him. Mancini was picked 16th overall in the TBL.
Good luck to the Transcontinental Baseball League in 2018!
