Playing college ball at an NAIA school is just as much a stepping-stone to the major leagues as playing at NCAA schools. Over the past 2 years no less than 85 players from NAIA schools have been taken in the MLB draft. Here’s a look at 2010’s draftees.
Before we dive in let me say I hope all of you had a happy 4th of July celebration. For me it always kicks off July 3rd (or “4th of July Eve” as I like to call it) with a viewing of the movie version of the Broadway musical 1776 about the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Yes, even if you think liking a musical means I need to turn in my manhood at the front desk I have to say I love that movie, historical inaccuracies and all. Maybe some of the songs are so stupid they would have been rejected by Barney the Purple Dinosaur but the dialogue portions are terrific and if that film doesn’t fill you with a feeling of national pride then you just don’t have a pulse.
Back to sports here’s a rundown of the players who got drafted and the college team they played for. All nicknames are to the best of my knowledge purely my own demented creation and any resemblance to real nicknames ever applied to these players is strictly coincidental…not to mention a little frightening.
NOTE: For the 2011 NAIA draftees headed for the MLB click here:https://glitternight.com/2011/06/14/forty-six-naia-baseball-players-selected-in-2011-mlb-draft/
Joe “The Baseball Player” Staley, Lubbock Christian Chaparrals – taken by San Francisco
Kawicka “Jonesy” Emsley-Pai, Lewis-Clark State (ID) Warriors – taken by Arizona
“President” Tyler Knigge, Lewis-Clark State Warriors – taken by Philadelphia
“Grin and Bear It” Garrett Rau, Cal Baptist Lancers– taken by Boston
Drew “Don’t Call Me D.T.” Tyson, Reinhardt (GA) Eagles – taken by Oakland
Chase “George” Wentz, LSU-Shreveport Pilots – taken by Pittsburgh
Josh “Bruce Campbellenbrenner” Ashenbrenner, Lewis-Clark State Warriors – taken by Detroit
Jonathan “Count John” Kountis, Embry-Riddle (FL) Eagles – taken by NY Mets
Cameron “C Squared” Conner, Indiana Southeast Grenadiers – taken by KS City
Bennett “Don’t Break It” Whitmore, Concordia (CA) Eagles – taken by Seattle
Peter “Mynah” Birdwell, Vanguard (CA) Lions – taken by NY Mets
Austin “Groovy” Goolsby, Embry-Riddle (FL) Eagles – taken by Baltimore
Todd “MLB Draft Fiiiiive!” Muecklisch, Lewis-Clark State Warriors – taken by Florida
Michael “Not the Psychotronic Guy” Weldon, Wayland Baptist Pioneers – taken by NY Mets
“Pacific” Pete Gehle, Azusa Pacific (CA) Cougars – taken by CHI White Sox
Yimy “The Peru State Kid” Rodriguez, Peru State (NE) Bobcats – taken by Los Angeles
Balladeer’s Blog is not affiliated with or operated by the NAIA or any member institutions.
© Edward Wozniak and Balladeer’s Blog, 2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Edward Wozniak and Balladeer’s Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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I never heard of any of these schools! It’s good to see my kids could go there and still play basebal maybe someday even in the MLB. I’m saving this place in my favorites.
Thanks! I’m always glad to share info about these so-called “lower division” schools!
I laugh at these nicknames every time I read them! I keep telling everyone about this site!
Thanks! I appreciate it!
This blog rocks! These nicknames are hilarious! I’ll bet your list is the only one on the internet where people bothered to read every name!
Thank you very much!
These look like schools I would like to go to and I had no idea they were out there. I’m glad I found your blog!
Thanks! A lot of my e-mailers say the same sort of thing. Too many NAIA sites are so in-depth they drive away casual fans who feel confused. My blog works nicely as an introduction to the teams since I keep it light.
Love that baseball!
Good to hear from you!