FORTY-SIX NAIA BASEBALL PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2011 MLB DRAFT

 It’s time for a tradition I started last summer – announcing which baseball players from NAIA colleges got selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. If you have dreams of playing in the Majors, NAIA schools are just as much a stepping stone as the other divisions of college sports.

As with last year’s list, the nicknames I give to the players on this list are, to the best of my knowledge, purely my own kidding invention and any resemblance to actual nicknames applied to these players is strictly coincidental … and I’m sure they’re eternally grateful for that fact.

“Orion” Ryan O’Sullivan – Oklahoma City Stars – to the Dodgers

Jesse “James” Darrah – Fresno Pacific Sunbirds – to the Diamondbacks

Zach “Zaaa!” Arneson – Lewis-Clark Warriors – to the Yankees

“Free “Will Locante – Cumberland Bulldogs – to the Diamondbacks

Chris “Robin” Grayson – Lee Flames – to the Rangers

Craig “The Artful Dodger” Stern – TNU Trojans – to the Dodgers

Jonathan “Hot JC” Clark – Lee Flames – to the Mets

William “The Runnin’ Rocky” Rankin – SPSU Runnin’ Hornets – to the Rockies

“Tombstone” Taylor Siemens – Cal Baptist Lancers – to the Diamondbacks

John “Sam” Hill – Concordia (CA) Eagles – to the Phillies

Tyler “The Smiler” Barrett – Lewis-Clark Warriors – to the Tigers

“Condor” Cameron McVey – Biola Eagles – to the Giants

Ruben “Supernova” Sosa – Oklahoma City Stars – to the Astros

R.L. “Real Lethal” Eisenbach – Faulkner Eagles – to the Padres

Samuel “Sam” Munson – TNW Bulldogs – to the A’s

Brian “The Buccaneer” Sharp – Cal Baptist Lancers – to the Pirates

“Freebootin'” Freddie Cabrera – CMU Eagles – to the Dodgers

“Captain” Kirk Walker – OCU Stars – to the A’s

Chris “Menlo” Mazza – Menlo Oaks – to the Twins

“Boomin'” Truman Sample – Rogers State Hillcats – to the Diamondbacks

Dexter “The Texter” Price – USCB Sand Sharks – to  the Diamondbacks

David “Bulldog” Bergin – TNW Bulldogs – to the Cardinals

Mike “U.S.” Marshall – Lubbock Christian Chaparrals – to the Phillies

Sharif “Esso” Othman – Cal Baptist Lancers – to the Marlins

Kyle “Creme” Brule – Oklahoma Baptist Bison – to the Padres

“Weldin'” Sheldon McDonald – British Columbia Thunderbirds – to the Cubs

Alex Kreis “And the world Kreis with him” – Jamestown Jimmies – to the Nationals

Johnny “Mutual Of” Omahen – CSSM Cougars – to the Marlins 

Drew “Carpe D.M.” Madrigal – Cal Baptist Lancers – to the Cardinals

Michael “Smash’em” Hashem – Fisher Falcons  – to the Braves

Travis “TGI Travis” Garcia – Martin Methodist RedHawks – to the Cubs

Jeremy “The Rammin’ Ranger” Williams – Mobile Rams -to the Rangers

“Kenny The” Gardner Adams – Asbury Saints – to the Braves 

“Northwood” Nico Taylor – Northwood (TX) Knights – to the Blue Jays 

“Flyin'” Bryan Nicholson – Concordia (CA) Eagles – to the Giants

Patrick “Patroclus” Francescon – TNU Trojans – to the Cubs

Shay “The Ray” Crawford – Lee Flames – to the Rays

Andre “Kindle” Kinder – Peru State Bobcats – to the Phillies

Robert “Biola Bob” O’Neill – Biola Eagles – to the Twins

Colby “The Baseball Player” Broussard – Faulkner Eagles – to the Blue Jays

Brandon “The Aeronaut” Creath – ERAU Eagles – to the Cardinals

Richie “The Great” Mirowski – Oklahoma Baptist Bison – to the Nationals

Cory “The Wheel” Farris – Cumberland Bulldogs – to the White Sox

Maxx “Dos Equis” Catapano – Lee Flames – to the Mariners 

Derek “Robert” Vaughn – TX Wesleyan Rams – to the Rays

Eric “British Columbia” Brown – BC Thunderbirds – to the Blue Jays