Despite a disappointing Ivy Championship Series loss to Columbia University, the Dartmouth baseball team saw success in the MLB's first-year player draft when three pitchers heard their names called by big league clubs.
Starting pitchers Mitch Horacek '14, Michael Johnson '13 and Cole Sulser '12 all signed last week, the first time in Big Green history that three players were chosen in the same draft and the sixth straight year that Dartmouth sent players to the professional ranks.
Coach Bob Whalen suggested that the team's emphasis on conditioning and flexibility, consistency in pitchers' windups and deliveries and pro-style philosophy of pitching off of the fastball helped the players improve over the course of their Big Green careers.
"They all had the talent," he said. "We were just trying to get them to understand their strengths and work together to get better."
Horacek, a tall and lanky southpaw from Highlands Ranch, Colo., was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth round with the 279th overall pick. Horacek watched the early rounds and was heading to West Lebanon for a dinner break when he got the news from a friend who was following the draft on his phone.
"We were watching together, and it's a long and boring process, but we couldn't help ourselves," he said.
Horacek is currently in Sarasota, Fla., the home of the Orioles' extended spring training camp, and looks to move up to a short-season single-A level team later . He noted that one of the biggest changes in his new team is that about half of the players are Latin American and only speak Spanish.
"There's a huge language barrier," he said. "I took Spanish at Dartmouth, so I like to think I understand a little, but they speak too fast."
But while language differences may be an issue in the clubhouse, they dissapear on the diamond.
"On the baseball field, we're still playing the same game, and you'd have no idea that the shortstop can't talk to the second baseman," he said.
By signing a professional contract, Horacek will be forced to forgo his senior season with the Big Green. Horacek plans to take classes this fall and winter and again in fall of 2014 to finish his degree.
With the 424th overall pick, the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Johnson in the 14th round. The righty from Georgetown, Mass. was coming off his best collegiate career, during which he amassed a 7-0 record and staff-leading 1.82 ERA, earning All-Ivy honors in the process.
Johnson graduated with the second-best winning percentage in Dartmouth history and a 15-2 career record.
Johnson credited a new pitching approach with his success this past season.
"I felt a lot more confident with my stuff and approaching hitters," he said. "I worked hard in the winter and was able to really focus on baseball."
Cole Sulser '12, a lefty from Santa Ysabel, Calif., was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 25th round with the 741st pick.
After missing his senior season due to Tommy John surgery, Sulser returned this year for a successful campaign, posting a 5-3 record, 2.52 ERA and a team-high 56 batters versus only 14 walks.
With 20 career victories, the All-Ivy honorable mention Sulser ranks second in program history behind 14-year Major Leaguer Mike Remlinger '88.
Sulser, who is currently in Ohio playing for the Indians' short-season affiliate, watched the draft online from campus and noted the excitement of fulfilling a lifelong dream.
"It was really exciting because it's one of those things you work for so long, and it was a big relief," he said.
Though players from Northeastern schools are relatively rare, Sulser noted that Dartmouth's schedule allowed them to face top competition from across the country.
"Coming from the East Coast and playing college ball, we still play teams from across the country," he said. "We play a high level of competition outside of the league which gives you an opportunity to keep challenging yourself. The coaching staff expects you to play your best no matter who you're playing."
A fourth Dartmouth player will also be heading into pro ball as Kyle Hunter '13, a left-handed pitcher, signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Whalen, who has overseen the program for the 24 years, echoed the players' excitement at moving on to the next stage in their careers.
"All three of them have the ability to keep moving up," he said. "I am confident in their ability, work ethic and desire to play at the higher level."
