Major League Baseball scouts from different teams came to see Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) baseball team this past Saturday. It was an unusual experience for the baseball players, as they are used to showing off their talent during the spring season. It was the first time there was a request to see the players during the fall.

The players started with hitting at Bergman field. Players took their turn as they took batting practice in the cage. Other players were out on the field shagging fly balls, and infielders took grounders from coaches. Some players even launched moonshot home runs over the left field fence. They then moved on to different drills at the field. The players finished the day with a seven-inning scrimmage at Suplizio Field. The day was an opportunity for the players to expose themselves to big-league scouts ahead of the First-Year Player Draft that occurs in June.

Former CMU players such as Nate Robertson and Sergio Romo were selected in previous years of the amateur draft. Robertson was selected in round 27 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Romo was selected in the 28 round by the San Francisco Giants. The event is a great opportunity for the players to display the talent they have developed over the years.

“This is the first time they’ve requested to see our guys in the fall,” Head coach Chris Hanks said. “The players will get to be exposed to all the different clubs.”

Some teams in attendance included the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Major league teams make trips to different schools throughout the year, but it is uncommon for a Division II school to host a scout day. Scouts do see the CMU players, mostly during the spring. This was a different event that gave the athletes another opportunity to showcase their talent, so they can hopefully reach the professional level.

CMU’s baseball team has had a successful string of seasons over the past several years. One of those years included a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game, where they finished as runners-up in 2014. The team has earned three appearances in the Division II World Series, which can be attributed to great coaching and talented players.

“We have enough good players that they wanted to get a look at our players,” Hanks said.

It’s no coincidence there was a request to see the student-athletes so early in the year. The Mavericks baseball team is filled with talent, and they will look to bring it all together for another championship run in 2018.