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<\/a><\/p>\nThe Connie Mack World Series features star-studded amateur lineups annually, but after some reflection and some searching around old programs and online, a look at the last 11 MVP\u2019s of the Series perhaps does the event justice.\u00a0 Remember that these were just the players who had the best week while they were here and were not necessarily the top prospect or even the best player on any team.\u00a0 For instance, in 2003 Danny Payne<\/a><\/strong> won the Series MVP award as a member of an East Cobb Yankee team that also included Chris Nelson<\/a><\/strong> and Dexter Fowler<\/a><\/strong> of the Colorado Rockies.\u00a0 Without further ado, here are the last 11 CMWS MVP\u2019s beginning with 2010’s MVP, Dillon Howard of the Midland Redskins.<\/p>\n 2010: Dillon Howard \u2013 Midland Redskins<\/span><\/p>\n Howard has been mentioned in pre-draft analysis here at the Sombrero before, but after his selection in the second round by Cleveland and his commitment to Arkansas in the fall, he surely lived up to the hype after his MVP performance at the 2010 CMWS.\u00a0 Look for Howard to either sign for close to $2 million\u00a0 (over $1 million above slot value for his spot in the draft) in the next week or so, or attend Arkansas and entrench himself in the Razorbacks\u2019 rotation for the next three years.\u00a0 He\u2019s a stud and is rostered for the 2011 Series, so he likely has the ball in the opening round against Danville in what could prove to be his last amateur start.\u00a0 Cleveland will surely have a team of guys here monitoring that start.<\/p>\n 2009 \u2013 Deven Marrero \u2013 Midland Redskins<\/span><\/p>\n Marrero is currently in Cape Cod with the Cotuit Kettleers and is regarded almost unanimously as the top position player there.\u00a0 His career at ASU has been brilliant, and he has the feet, hands, and arm to be an impact SS in the professional ranks.\u00a0 Marrero hit .471 in 2009\u2019s Series, but was perhaps outshined a bit at his own position by Manny Machado<\/a><\/strong> of the Florida Legends who was selected third overall in 2010 and is now the premier SS prospect in the Minors today.\u00a0 Marrero nevertheless has posted a career line of .349\/.390\/.515 at ASU and has been the premier defender in the PAC-10 since he arrived on campus in Tempe.<\/p>\n 2008: Buck Farmer \u2013 East Cobb Yankees<\/span><\/p>\n Farmer signed at Georgia Tech out of high school after winning the CMWS MVP as a rising senior and has been terrific with the Yellow Jackets.\u00a0 In 2011 as a sophomore the righty started 16 games as GTs #2 behind first rounder Jed Bradley.\u00a0 Farmer posted a 2.91 ERA with 106 K\u2019s opposed to 31 BB\u2019s on his way to an 11-3 mark over 108.1 IP.\u00a0 He has a tight slider with a lively changeup that both project as at least 50\u2019s, and his fastball works in the low-90\u2019s with good arm-side run.\u00a0 Farmer has a chance to land inside the first round (probably 25-40) and should not make it to day 2 considering his stuff and history of success in the ACC despite struggling a bit in the cape with Chatham this summer.<\/p>\n 2007: Eric Hosmer<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Midland Redskins<\/span><\/p>\n Eric Hosmer played in the CMWS as a member of the Florida Legends as a sophomore in 2006 and as a Redskin in 2007 and 2008.\u00a0 His career at American Heritage in Florida was historic as he led them to a state title as a senior while garnering several All-American honors.\u00a0 He played the 2008 Series after being selected 3rd<\/sup> overall and refusing to sign until Midland\u2019s summer was over.\u00a0 As a result, the community of Farmington absolutely loves Eric Hosmer and will always support him in his career, which has landed him the starting 1B gig in KC for the foreseeable future.\u00a0 As a rookie Hosmer has slashed .283\/.335\/.451 with 10 jacks.\u00a0 Hosmer is going to be an all-star with a ceiling that probably doesn\u2019t exist and a chance at the HOF.<\/p>\n 2006: Jason Jarvis<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Arizona Firebirds<\/span><\/p>\n Jason Jarvis was electric for the Firebirds in their only championship run to date.\u00a0 He was among the tournament\u2019s finest at the plate and on the mound, although his career post-HS was spent on the mound.\u00a0 Jarvis closed for ASU in 2007 with moderate success especially when considering the role that the freshman landed.\u00a0 However, Jarvis was deemed ineligible at ASU during the 2008 season due to a conflict involving an online art course.\u00a0 Jarvis was exonerated of all academic dishonesty charges following an appeal, but the university shamefully refused to allow Jarvis back on the team.\u00a0 Check this link out if you\u2019re even considering attending ASU, and then don\u2019t go. http:\/\/prof-fan.blogspot.com\/2008\/03\/asu-baseball-jason-jarvis-declared.html<\/a> Seriously.\u00a0 Bud Selig for once made the right call and allowed Jarvis to enter the MLB draft a year early, and he made it as high as AA as a 20-year old starter before converting to the pen and ultimately being released last year.<\/p>\n 2005: Gordon Beckham<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 East Cobb Yankees<\/span><\/p>\n In 2005 the city of Farmington was witness to a show to remember at shortstop in the title game between the East Cobb Yankees; Gordon Beckham and Danny Espinosa<\/a><\/strong> of the Trombly Braves.\u00a0 It seemed to the fans in attendance that they were just trading blows at short with exceptional play after exceptional play and big hit after big hit.\u00a0 Both stars are now in the Bigs after tremendous careers at South Carolina and Long Beach State respectively.\u00a0 Beckham is having his second consecutive down year slashing .250\/.307\/.357 for the sub-.500 White Sox while Espinosa is slashing .226\/.314\/.420 with a shot at 20 bombs.\u00a0 Regardless of where their careers ultimately lead, for me and for many in attendance on 2005\u2019s title night, there will never be a pair of shortstops that put on a show of the same quality as these two did.<\/p>\n 2004: Cameron Maybin<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Midland Redskins<\/span><\/p>\n Cameron Maybin played CF for Midland in the 2003 and 2004 CMWS and dazzled both years showing obvious athleticism and baseball instincts. He was selected in the first round (10th<\/sup> overall) by the Tigers in 2005 and signed for $2.65 million.\u00a0 He was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera<\/a><\/strong> to the Tigers and now is starting in center for the Padres after being traded for Ryan Webb<\/a><\/strong> and Edward Mujica<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 His slash line of .273\/.326\/.399 is a little light, but he should steal around 40 bags by the end of 2011 while playing terrific defense (4th<\/sup> best among NL CF\u2019s).\u00a0 He has a chance to be an all-star at some point in his career and is outstandingly talented with room still to grow considering he\u2019s only 24.<\/p>\n 2003: Danny Payne \u2013 East Cobb Yankees<\/span><\/p>\n Danny Payne was a member of one of the more talented teams East Cobb has assembled with numerous Big Leaguers, high draft picks, and major conference signees, but Payne was the guy to walk away with the MVP hardware in August of 2003.\u00a0 As a two-way performer for Georgia Tech, Payne garnered All-ACC and All-America honors and was later drafted in the supplemental round by the Padres in the 2007 MLB draft.\u00a0 Payne is currently a 25-year old in the California League (High A) demonstrating above average on-base skills but little else and is probably in need of a change of scenery as he has been demoted from both AAA and AA this year.<\/p>\n 2002: Randy Akasaka \u2013 Long Beach Cardinals<\/span><\/p>\n Randy Akasaka still holds the Series bomb record with 6 despite adding two teams to the field in recent years and thusly an extra round to the event.\u00a0 Akasaka went on to catch at Cal State-Northridge and Cal State-Los Angeles but never was able to catch on professionally.\u00a0 The Cardinals were the last team from Southern California to win the CMWS, and Akasaka along with teammates Ricky Romero<\/a><\/strong> (Toronto\u2019s ace) and Danny Dorn (AAA-Reds) were a big reason why.<\/p>\n 2001: Micah Owings<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 East Cobb Yankees<\/span><\/p>\n Micah Owings was a two-way star for the East Cobb Yankees before attending Georgia Tech.\u00a0 He later transferred to Tulane who he led to the nation\u2019s top ranking and a trip to Omaha.\u00a0 Owings signed with Arizona following his selection in the 3rd<\/sup> round.\u00a0 He debuted in the Show as the Diamondbacks 5th<\/sup> starter in 2007 and, after spending around two seasons with the Reds, is back with Arizona and in the rotation.\u00a0 Perhaps the most notable aspect of Owings\u2019 career is his frequent use as a pinch hitter relative to other MLB pitchers.\u00a0 He even won the 2007 Silver Slugger.<\/p>\n 2000: Paul Oseguera<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Encinitas Reds<\/span><\/p>\n