Scouts for the Evil Empire did their homework in The 603.

Kevin Gray's On Baseball: Yankees find ‘603’ fertile

KEVIN GRAY

Published Jun 9, 2011 at 3:00 am (Updated Jun 8, 2011)

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Scouts for the Evil Empire did their homework in The 603.

On the final day of Major League Baseball’s amateur draft, two more New Hampshire products – Ryan Thompson from Souhegan High of Amherst and Joseph Maher of Bedford High — were drafted by the Yankees in the late rounds.

In addition, Garrett Jewel of Alexandria and Newfound Regional of Bristol was drafted by the Twins, and Brad Zapenas of Nashua North High and Boston College was tabbed by the Cubs.

Four players from Franklin Pierce University players were drafted the past two days, and Corey Vogt of Keene State College was selected by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

More than ever, the MLB Draft put locals in a New York state of mind. It started with Jordan Cote from Winnisquam Regional of Tilton, a third-rounder, who became the first righty selected by the Yankees in 2011.

Thompson, a 6-foot-3 righty, was scooped by the Yankees after slipping to the 36th round. For now, he’ll pitch for the Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League and work to negotiate a pro contract with the Bronx Bombers. Insiders expected Thompson might be drafted in the first 10-15 rounds.

“I ended up turning off my computer and watching a movie. I figured I wasn’t going to agonize over the draft today,” said Thompson, coming off an All-America season at Division II Franklin Pierce.

Maher, a 6-foot-5 righty, learned the news following a school field trip to Lake Winnipesaukee. He began the day with full intentions of pitching at Northeastern University next season but the 38th round of the draft gave him an unexpected jolt.

“I’m overwhelmed. I’m still in shock,” said Maher, who’ll pitch against No. 1 Portsmouth in today’s Division II semifinals (3:30 p.m.) in Concord. “I got off the bus (from the field trip) and a bunch of kids said ‘You got drafted!’”

Maher, a high school senior, will take a crash course in the business of pro baseball.

“To be honest, it really all comes down to the money … I have no agent, no advisor. At this point, I don’t know how to handle it,” he said. “It’s every kid’s dream to play pro ball. It’s always been mine.”

Overall, eight pitchers from New Hampshire high schools or colleges were drafted the past two days. Cote topped the list as the 118th overall pick.

“I’m not surprised. When it comes to pitching, I think it’s more of an even playing field for kids from New Hampshire. I’m proud to say I’m from New Hampshire,” Maher said. “When it comes to hitting and fielding, maybe it’s more tough to compare with kids from down south.”

Vogt, Boston’s pick in the 39th round, became the first Keene State player to be selected in baseball’s amateur draft. The Suffield, Conn., native grew up rooting for the Yankees but quickly changed his favorite team before watching on TV Wednesday night’s game in the Bronx.

“(Boston’s) paying my salary now, so I won’t have a hard time with it,” Vogt said. “It’s going to be cool playing baseball and earning a paycheck doing it.”

Zapenas, who recently joined Chatham of the Cape Cod League, started all 50 games at shortstop for Boston College, batting .229. The Cubs drafted him in the 42nd round (1,269 overall).

Franklin Pierce lefties Brian Maloney (Giants) and Gregory Downing (Dodgers) were drafted in the final rounds, joining FPU’s Thompson and catcher Michael Dowd (12th round, Mariners) on the 2011 draft board.

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Staff writer Kevin Gray covers pro baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His email address is kgray@unionleader.com.