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Former Batavia High and GCC standout Page gets picked - UPDATED

By Brian Hillabush

 

Former Batavia baseball standout Chris Page is going to get his shot at pro ball.

The Genesee Community College pitcher/first baseman was drafted in the 50th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He was the 1499th overall player selected.

"I was supposed to be working but I was watching the draft," said Page, who was picked at about 3 p.m. today. "It was the 49th round and I decided to watch one more. When they called my name, I was speechless."

The Reds have been scouting Page since high school, where the big 6-foot-4 lefty set two Batavia records in his senior season with a .534 batting average and 11 doubles. He also had 31 hits, three triples, two home runs, 19 RBIs and 15 walks in his senior season.

He was also 5-2 on the mound, earning him a chance to play at GCC, where Cincinnati continued to monitor his progress.

The Cougars went 25-13-1 this spring with Page leading the squad at the plate. He had a .456 batting average with 18 doubles, five home runs, 34 RBIs, 52 hits and 33 walks.  He did not pitch due to elbow problems.

He is expected to start his professional career in the Florida Gulf Coast League.

"I am honored to have been followed and drafted by a great organization like the Reds," Page said.

Howard B. Owens

Too bad the Cardinals didn't get him -- that would have boosted Muckdogs attendance!

You know, it's really a mistake that MLB doesn't take more seriously the idea of drafting players regional to their minor league affiliates.

The MLB scouting directors will tell you they just want to draft the best players, and there is both art and science that goes into drafting players, but that only gets you maybe 20 percent close to a successful draft. Truth is, it's mostly a crap shoot. Most #1 draft choices never have any significant MLB career let alone become stars, and many late round choices become All Stars. Teams would neither hurt nor help their MLB teams by putting more of an emphasis on regional picks, and they would help out their minor league franchises significantly.

Jun 11, 2009, 4:40pm Permalink
Brian Hillabush

I've been saying the parent club of the Muckdogs should always draft the top area player each year and give him a shot.
Every year there is a kid that is good enough to compete at that level. The individual might be on the bench or not make it, but people would come out to see the local kid play pro ball.

Jun 11, 2009, 4:44pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I think at least at the Single A level, teams should be able to sign up to three free agents that by league rules must be regional players. And they should be able to sign them prior to the draft, so maybe they get their parent club a first shot at an otherwise 1st-round choice.

There would be lots of ways to skin this cat if the MLB would just take regionalism seriously.

Jun 11, 2009, 4:46pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Its a big business for baseball not a give the hometown farm team a shot scenario. I am not saying certain players arent talented but pro baseball is like hollywood. If you dont believe that then your misguided. They dont care about the muckdogs selling tickets they care about who is gonna sell their tickets. Dont believe me then why do the muckdogs have to find a sponsor to subsidize players to TEMPORARILY live here. When a muckdog makes it big they arent even from this area and you dont see them saying anything after they win the world series or an award " I am going to Batavia". pa leese.

Jun 11, 2009, 4:53pm Permalink
Bea McManis

I'm hoping when my grandson is drafted that he'll end up here in Batavia. He lives in Pt. St. Lucie, so where better to send him than up north.

Jun 11, 2009, 4:56pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Well now dont get me wrong true talent will be exploited. You can tip toe around the triple A if you want. The dog eat dog minors depend on the bucks and talent not where they come from. How many of these players come from and stay in batavia ? your grandson ?

Jun 11, 2009, 5:03pm Permalink
Bea McManis

He isn't from here, he is from Florida. Grandma would be thrilled if he ended up here so she could watch him play.
He's good. He'll end up somewhere...I just wish it could be here.

http://www.mysportsvids.com/component/option,com_videos/act,detail/id,9…

My grandson was a sophmore last year when this was shot. This past season his high school team, of 13 players, made it to the state finals. Keep an eye on him, he may be playing for the Muckdogs in the future and then who knows what might happen.

Jun 11, 2009, 6:34pm Permalink
bud prevost

That's awesome Bea. I agree, Howard, that would make good PR for the local club and the big league team that drafts him. Back when they were the Phillies team, the Clippers, they gave a guy named Mickey Hyde, from pavilion, a shot. It was a big deal, and all over the local paper.

Jun 11, 2009, 7:11pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Bud if you google Scotty McManis, you can see how that team did this year. They were awesome. Of course, I'm just a tad prejudice, but he is talented.

Jun 11, 2009, 7:27pm Permalink
Daniel Jones

Congrats to Chris! Although I can't say that I'm a big baseball guy, the fact that someone from one of our local high schools (as a Batavia alumni, I'm just a little biased) has made it to the pros is huge! What a great day for Genesee County.

I think we can all give him a (digital) round of applause.

Jun 11, 2009, 9:00pm Permalink
bud prevost

Really?? I thought we were talking baseball? Which is a nice refreshing change from local politics, BTW. Not that I don't enjoy the back and forth, but it ain't baseball. Oh well, the reason I came back here was I just read this on the internet:

BOSTON (AP)—The Boston Red Sox have drafted the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, the last major leaguer to hit for the Triple Crown.

High school outfielder Michael Yastrzemski was selected in the 36th round on the final day of the draft.

It's stuff like this that makes me enjoy baseball as much as I do. This is exactly what Howard was talking about. Do something to create local appeal, and you have a marketing bonus. If this young man was good enough for another team to draft him,he'd have been good enough for the Dogs. Hopefully, the organization hears us. (probably not, sorry Howard)

Jun 11, 2009, 9:13pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

One of the real boons for the San Diego Padres the past couple of weeks -- they acquired Tony Gwynn, Jr., and he's been smacking the ball around the park with the aplomb of his father. Fans are eating it up.

Jun 11, 2009, 10:07pm Permalink
bud prevost

Howard, while I am a HUGE football fan, I think the history, tradition and pace of the game are why I love baseball. It's the oldest US pro sport, (i think) and it has names that are synonomous with baseball. Babe Ruth is still probably one of the first names you think of when you think ballplayers, and he hasn't played in 70 some years! I also think it's cool that guys like Griffey, Hairston, Ripken all came from baseball families. I will not argue the point that baseball is not as exciting as football. For the most part, that is a true statement. But I loves it anywho!

Jun 11, 2009, 10:57pm Permalink

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