The Muleriders?

 That has to be one of the more unique collegiate mascots in all of the NCAA.  But it was the home of Chicago Cubs first-round draft pick, Hayden Simpson – the right-hander that Tim Wilken shocked the baseball world by picking with the 16th-overall pick.  A 13-1 overall record at the Division II school is solid, but will it transfer over to the Northwest League – where he’ll probably see his first tutorial this summer as part of piggyback starts (since he threw 99 innings in college this spring).

It was a pitcher heavy draft, as 31 of the 50 selections were pitchers – with the squad not selecting a true third-baseman (guessing the hot corner will be manned by someone from Extended Spring Training).  Many of the position players were also high-schoolers – who won’t see Boise till the final week of the season, so for those in EST, a ticket out of Mesa seems inevitable.  One interesting name was Benito Santiago Jr. – son of former Padres Rookie of the Year, Benito Santiago.

Click Here (
2010DraftRoster.pdf) for the Roster of Cubs Selections through Round 50.

Click Here (
2010DraftBios.pdf) for Bios of Cubs Selections through Round 50.