The Iowa Hawkeyes look to be establishing a new pipeline.
Everyone knows the direct correlation between playing at the University of Iowa and playing in the NFL. Iowa football has made a name for itself for showing under-appreciated talent the way to the league with proper coaching and development. Offensive linemen and tight ends from Iowa are like the Toyotas of the football world. You are usually going to get a good, reliable product.
Other sports have established great cultures as well. Iowa historically has been THE school for creating the next generation of great American wrestlers. Meanwhile, basketball has seemingly always found a way to produce pro-level talent.
Good folks, don’t forget about the Hawkeyes’ baseball program!
The University of Iowa had a fantastic season on the diamond. They tied the single-season record for wins with 44 while appearing in the Big Ten championship game. They also earned their second-ever regional final appearance in program history.
Hawkeye Report’s Kyle Huesmann of On3 shared this awesome nugget about this golden generation of Iowa baseball players: the Hawkeyes will send an unprecedented five athletes to the Cape Cod Baseball League this summer. Brody Brecht, Marcus Morgan, Cade Obermueller, Sam Petersen, and Keaton Anthony will all play across the Cape Cod League this summer.
The Cape Cod Baseball League is a non-profit league where players from across the United States representing all NCAA college divisions are recruited to play in the 10-team league.
One of the premier collegiate summer leagues, the CCBL is the place to play if you are an aspiring Major League ballplayer. Just take a look at some of the big names boasted by the league via their official website.
There are annually over 350 active Cape Cod Baseball League Alumni playing in the major leagues and more than 1,600 all-time. Current major leaguers who played in the Cape Cod Baseball League include: New York Yankee Aaron Judge (Brewster 2012), Boston Red Sox Chris Sale (YD 2009), Alek Manoah (Chatham 2018), Pete Alonso (Bourne 2015), Kyle Schwarber ( Wareham 2012), Aaron Nola (Harwich 2012), Adley Rutschman (Falmouth 2017), Shane Bieber (YD 2015), Corbin Burnes (Orleans 2015), and Will Smith (Brewster 2015). – Cape Cod Baseball League.
That is just current MLB players as well. Take a walk down memory lane at their 26-page document featuring all the MLB alumni who got their start in the CCBL.
I got a big smile on my face seeing former Phillies World Series Champions Joe Blanton, Pat “The Bat” Burrell, and Chase “You are the Man” Utley listed. I also suppose featuring legendary names such as Carlton Fisk, Jeff Bagwell, and Nomar Garciaparra isn’t a bad look either.
These five Iowa ballplayers might just add their names to that list someday.
More Baseball!
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Iowa Hawkeyes baseball vs. Indiana State: TV, stream, game notes for Sunday
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An offer for Hawkeyes fans
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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire