CLEVELAND _ Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez smiled Monday when recalling that he played along side Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor for the East roster in the 2010 AFLAC All-American Baseball Classic at San Diego's Petco Park.
As it turns out, the talent evaluators who selected the 38 players to play in the game did an exceptional job, based on the progress of their careers since high school.
Lindor and Baez, who were drafted eighth and ninth by their respective teams, weren't even the highest selected players in the 2011 draft to play in the 2010 AFLAC game and reach the majors.
That distinction belongs to Dylan Bundy of Baltimore, who was the fourth overall selection, followed by Archie Bradley of the Diamondbacks (seventh).
The other first-round picks who played in the game, were selected after Baez and have reached the majors were the late Jose Fernandez (14), Joe Ross (25, Washington), Blake Swihart (26, Boston), Robert Stephenson (27, Cincinnati), and Henry Owens (36, Boston).
Second-round picks include Detroit pitcher Daniel Norris (74) and San Diego catcher Austin Hedges (82). Cubs minor league pitcher Dylan Maples and Shawon Dunston, who was traded from the Cubs to the San Francisco Giants this summer, also participated.
