The list of Florida League players drafted into Major League Baseball has climbed by 22 with the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. A few of the highlights from the draft are High School senior and member of the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, Dante Bichette Jr. who was drafted 51^st overall by the Yankees. Peter O’Brien, drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round, was a member of the 2008 DeLand Suns and will be inducted into the Suns Hall Of Fame later in the summer. Last year’s Florida League Championship MVP, former Diamond Dawg pitcher Nick Goody was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 22^nd round.

 

On top of the 22 former Florida Leaguers that were drafted into Major League Baseball, two top ten picks were drafted out of the Florida High School Invitational, a tournament organized by the Florida League and played at Sanford Memorial Stadium. Francisco Lindor from Montverde High School was drafted 8^th overall by the Cleveland Indians. Javier Baez from Arlington Country Day High School in Jacksonville was drafted 9^th overall by the Chicago Cubs. The New York Yankees selected FHSI player Greg Bird, Grandview High School, in the 5^th round.

 

One of the Florida League’s main goals is to help players extend their careers into the professional ranks by providing an opportunity to play against premiere competition in front of professional scouts. In eight years with 159 players drafted, the Florida League has been successful in that goal.

 

 Click here for a list of current and former Florida League players taken in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft.