Two decades ago no one really cared about potential draftees working out for scouts and personnel evaluators for a team. Then the NFL decided to broadcast their annual combine that occurred a few weeks after the Super Bowl because they had a network that needed programing. People watched, and now every sport has a combine that also serves as part evaluation process and part show for players hoping to be drafted.
MLB was perhaps the last one to really go deep with this, but a lot of that was the function of when the MLB draft was. The draft used to be held while the majority of the NCAA Tournament had yet to be played, and so you were looking at a situation where a good chunk of the players just couldn’t attend because they were, you know, busy. That changed when a few years ago MLB moved their draft to around the All-Star game to bring a bigger feel to it. It’s the only sport that has their draft while the main season is going on, but it’s arguably because it’s the only sport where the players drafted will never immediately see the field with that team that drafts them.
Obviously you’d still rather be playing in Omaha right now, but if you’re not, you’re hoping to get an invitation to this combine because it’s validation that your name is going to be called during the two day draft on July 13th and 14th. Three of the players invited just happen to be Tar Heels.
Aidan Haugh, Kane Kepley, and Luke Stevenson all received the valuable invitation to head out to Phoenix and participate in the Draft Combine. The combine will be at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on June 17-19. Events include on field workouts, a high school game, as well as a MLB Network Showcase event.
Of the three players Stevenson is the favorite to hear his name called the earliest. He’s currently listed as the 20th best prospect in the draft per MLB. These days it’s relatively rare to have a catching prospect that’s both a decent defender and an offensive threat, and specifically scouts have noted the way that he lifts the ball at his at bats and his improved conditioning. Stevenson can turn down the draft and return to school, but first round money will be tough to turn down.
Kepley also should hear his name early as MLB has him as the 83rd best prospect. It’s quite a rise up for the Salisbury, NC native as he went from Liberty and no scholarship offers to batting leadoff for the Tar Heels. He’s best known for his choice of walk-up music—the beginning of “The Circle of Life” from The Lion King which fans showed their appreciation by raising just about anything in the air. Kepley will face a bigger decision about coming back depending on where he’s drafted. As a junior he’ll have one more year to come back to help his stock.
Haugh right now doesn’t have an MLB prospect rating, but he did get selected by the Minnesota Twins last year, and while he had an up and down year that saw him have the Sunday Starter slot and then ultimately move to the bullpen, he still should be able to look forward to his name being called and getting a chance at the next level.