2001 Baler grad happy to be drafted for the second time in his
young career
He’s been drafted before, but this time it was something special.
Former Haybaler Daniel Barone was selected in the 11th round of the Major League Draft by the Florida Marlins on Monday and was the 338th pick overall.
Barone, 21, who graduated in 2001 from San Benito High, was originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 41st round after his first year at Monterey Peninsula.
Unlike last time, the timing and placement were just what he was hoping for.
“It was great,” Barone said. “I was thrilled to be picked where I was. I knew I had a chance to be picked in the top 15.”
Barone, a 6-foot-3 195-pound right hand pitcher, received interest in his services by several National League teams. He said the only team in the American League that expressed interest was the Athletics.
The Phillies and the Marlins both gave Barone a call during the draft to let him know of their intention of selecting him. He had a workout with the Giants on May 3 at SBC Park in San Francisco. As a lifelong Giants fan, he was hoping to join the team. But he said it doesn’t matter what team he plays for because he will put in the same effort anywhere.
“I threw well,” Barone said. “I faced three batters and got two to strikeout and one to popup. It was awesome. The field was just so perfect.”
Barone will be meeting with the recruiters today in Napa and said he plans to sign with the team at that time.
He will be leaving on Sunday to join the team’s Single A affiliate in New York, the Jamestown Jammers. Although he has primarily pitched in relief, he said the Marlins want to try him out as a starter.
Barone’s former coach at Monterey Peninsula College, Daniel Phillips, said he wasn’t surprised to see him drafted as high as he was.
“I couldn’t be more proud of anyone right now,” said Philips, who was following the draft through each round. “He is very mature for his age. His fastball is what impressed most of the scouts. He pitches right around 90 and is not afraid to go inside. He’s a good student of the game and is willing to learn. He is a tremendous person both on an off the field. He should be able to play for a long time because of his maturity.”
Barone was an All-Conference player at Monterey Peninsula and Sonoma State.
He was majoring in sociology at Sonoma State, but said he will probably postpone his last year of school and hopes the Marlins will be able to cover it when his career is over.
Sonoma State advanced to the Regionals last year and was one game away from advancing to the World Series.
GP GS CG W-L S IP R ER ERA H BB SO HB WP BK
2003 Sonoma State 14 11 5 5-4 1 80.0 46 40 4.50 83 18 63
2002 Monterey Peninsula 14 14 9 9-5 0 107 47 39 3.28 89 13 68 14 0 2
2001 Monterey Peninsula 17 10 1 4-7 1 68.2 63 52 6.82 93 28 36 10 4 1
