
I play in a couple of fantasy baseball leagues, and with just a third of the season left, my team in the Denslow Cup, a league that Mike, Griff, and I play in alongside many of our friends from college and high school, is tied for first place. Because the last two pieces I have written have been a little intense, and since I’m about to head to Opening Night at Ricketts, I think something a little more light-hearted is in order. So, without further ado, here is the CMWS fantasy team that I’d like to own if there ever was a CMWS fantasy league and the only restriction on eligibility is that players have to have played in at least one CMWS.
Catcher: Mike Matheny
Matheny won a national title with Midland in 1989 after which he took his talent to the University of Michigan, where he captained. He played 13 Major League seasons and is currently the manager of the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. He won four Golden Gloves and an N.L. pennant.
1B: Eric Hosmer
Hosmer played in three CMWS (with Florida in 2006 and Midland in 2007 and 2008) and won the 2007 MVP following the Redskins earning of yet another title. He was taken third overall and is currently starting at first for the Royals in his second Major League season.
2B: Jemile Weeks
This one is tricky because a rule that I just made up is that the player must have played the position during the CMWS. That comes into play here as certain players have played short in the CMWS and now are at second professionally or collegiately. Weeks was a member of the 2004 Florida Bombers and was taken 12th overall by the A’s after a stellar career as a Miami Hurricane. He debuted with Oakland 13 months ago and should stick around the Big Leagues for along time.
3B: Sean Burroughs
Burroughs was a member of the Orange County Dodgers, 1997’s runner-up. He went 9th so San Diego the following year, won an Olympic gold medal in 2000, and debuted in the show in 2002. He was one of baseball’s top prospects for years, had a lot of off-field trouble, and has recently been released, but he was really, really good as an amateur.
SS: Stephen Drew
Drew was a member of the East Cobb Yankees in 2001, the eventual champions. Because of his bloodlines, there was a tremendous amount of hype surrounding him. Shortstop is a tough position to really select just one guy. Even in recent years, Manny Machado, Deven Marrero, Gordon Beckham, and Danny Espinosa have played short at Ricketts. Drew went 15th overall, was an All-American at Florida State, and is currently in his seventh season with Arizona. Cal Ripken Jr. was left off of the team primarily because he went in the second round and was not regarded as highly as a teenager as he is now.
OF: Ken Griffey Jr., Cameron Maybin, Manny Ramirez
Griffey is arguably the best outfielder of the last 50 years, so he needs no explanation. Ramirez is the same way but for left fielders. Maybin won an MVP with Midland and went 10th overall. He currently plays for the Padres and is in his 6th MLB season.
Utility: Gordon Beckham
Beckham won the MVP at the 2005 CMWS as East Cobb’s SS. He was an All-American at Georgia and went 8th overall in 2008. Since this is a fantasy team, and since he currently plays 2B for the White Sox, the added positional flexibility he gives my team makes him all the more valuable.
P: Roy Halladay
P: Barry Zito
P: Dylan Bundy
Since he’s the only one without a long and illustrious MLB career on my list, I think this video says where he’s headed pretty clearly.
P: Zack Greinke
P: Duane Ward
Had to get a local guy in somewhere.
I think I’d win with a team like this.
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