While most MLB teams are focused on 2016, front offices around the league began diverting their attention toward the future for the next few days on Thursday night with the start of the 2016 MLB draft. Countless people dream of getting drafted by a professional baseball team, but only a very small percentage experience what it actually feels like.
It’s easy to see why some people think watching a draft is really boring, though. Cameras are set up in each team’s draft war room, but they all look the same — it’s just a bunch of people sitting at desks. When picks are in, the commissioner heads to a podium, announces a player’s name and then proclaims which team is on the clock next. And as we wait for the next announcement, there are a bunch of analysts there to fill in that dead time.
But it’s so much more than that.
I enjoy watching drafts because we get to see reactions from the players, along with their families and friends. All those long hours of studying, getting stronger in the weight room and better on the field culminate with something as simple as hearing their name called, allowing them to realize a dream.
Throughout Thursday night’s first round, there were a bunch of awesome reactions to watch, whether it was from the player himself or the people he was surrounded by for such a momentous occasion. Here are some of the best ones I could find:
Mickey Moniak, Philadelphia Phillies
No. 1 overall
https://twitter.com/ChrisMoya32/status/741098166271905792
Nick Senzel, Cincinnati Reds
No. 2 overall
https://twitter.com/DaveSerranoUT/status/741062930175774721
Ian Anderson, Atlanta Braves
No. 3 overall
No. 3 for Ian Anderson. The hometown reaction didn't disappoint. pic.twitter.com/p2p2wnKamu
— Michael Kelly (@ByMichaelKelly) June 9, 2016
Riley Pint, Colorado Rockies
No. 4 overall
Truly incredible to witness this life changing moment for @RileyPint of @STABaseball2016 @STAsaints #SaintsFamily pic.twitter.com/zhlgDQr1Tp
— Justin Wrigley (@CoachWrigley) June 9, 2016
Matt Manning, Detroit Tigers
No. 9 overall
#MLBDraft #MLBDraft2016
Matt Manning to Detroit! pic.twitter.com/c2MsJ3hVwO— EMINEM (@madison_sierra2) June 10, 2016
Zack Collins, Chicago White Sox
No. 10 overall
WATCH: Zack Collins gets his name called, game analyzed and excitement captured all on @MLBNetwork #MLBDrafthttps://t.co/f4e5xHdIWF
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) June 10, 2016
Kyle Lewis, Seattle Mariners
No. 11 overall
Kyle Lewis ends up as the No. 11 draft pick, chosen by the Mariners pic.twitter.com/KSTo68PAu5
— FOX 5 Sports (@FOX5Sports) June 10, 2016
Jason Groome, Boston Red Sox
No. 12 overall
Video of Jason Groome being drafted pic.twitter.com/PucO7vQFtf
— John DeRosier (@JohnRDeRosier) June 10, 2016
Will Benson, Cleveland Indians
No. 14 overall
Here is the first look at the @Indians' 1st round draft selection 6-foot-6, power hitting Will Bensonhttps://t.co/tB360cPe2A
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) June 10, 2016
Matt Thaiss, Los Angeles Angels
No. 16 overall
When your best friend's boyfriend gets drafted to the @Angels @Matt_Thaiss #HaloNation #MLB #MLBDraft2016 #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/bmTWjnH6i9
— Dia Marie (@icee_boxxx) June 10, 2016
Forrest Whitley, Houston Astros
No. 17 overall
He still has one more game with Alamo Heights, but Forrest Whitley tried out an @astros look on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/a7Lmt5olTP
— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) June 10, 2016
Blake Rutherford, New York Yankees
No. 18 overall
When Blake Rutherford found out he was going to the #Yankees pic.twitter.com/rFNWer6mQo
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) June 10, 2016
Justin Dunn, New York Mets
No. 19 overall
When you get picked 19th overall in the #MLBDraft with 34 of your brothers there with you!https://t.co/8fc04P6QIj
— Boston College Baseball (@BCBirdBall) June 10, 2016
Congratulations to all the ballplayers who got drafted on Thursday night, and to the ones who will also get selected on Friday and Saturday during the remainder of the draft. It has to be an incredible feeling, and hopefully for many of them, the start of something very special.
Thanks for reading! If you’d like to jumpstart your sportswriting career and aren’t sure how, check out my eBook. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter so we can chat about baseball: @mmusico8.
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