Conner Crumbliss wasn’t going to watch the Major League draft this week. He had to keep his mind occupied. He spent part of Wednesday practicing with the Arkansas City High School team, and did everything he could to stay away from the computer.
Then on Wednesday afternoon, Crumbliss got a text from Oakland A’s scout Yancey Ayres: “You watching the draft?”
“I decided I better check it out because I felt like he was trying to tell me to watch,” Crumbliss said.
Five minutes later, Crumbliss heard his name called, his mom started yelling and he was an MLB draft pick, going in the 28th round to the Athletics.
“I don’t think it’s set in quite yet,” he said. “I feel great about it and it’s obviously a dream, but I haven’t really had much time for it to soak in yet. I’ve been on the phone since.”
Crumbliss said he’d had about 10 phone calls and 20 texts late Wednesday afternoon, but he did take the time to notice that a position change might be in his future.
On the MLB site, Crumbliss was listed as a second baseman, where he spent his first two seasons at Emporia State and the first four games his junior season. When Crumbliss returned from a hand injury his junior season, he moved to center field. Ayers said Crumbliss should see time all over the field — in all three outfield spots, at second base and at third.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Crumbliss said. “I’m not worried about anything. I was taking grounders this morning at the high school summer practice. It’s going to be fun to me. It’s a new challenge to try some new stuff.”
Crumbliss was contacted by five teams before the draft and had not heard from anyone since talking to a Cardinals scout the end of last week.
Crumbliss had an inkling that the A’s might be his best chance at getting drafted. Ayers was the pitching coach at Emporia State from 2004 to 2006 and A’s scout Matt Ranson was the pitching coach at ESU in 2007. Both coached Crumbliss.
“I’ve liked Conner from the day he stepped on campus there,” Ayers said. “He’s a tremendous kid and a tremendous player. He’s obviously proved that with all the accolades he’s racked up there. As far as prospect-wise, he can run, he can throw and he can handle the bat well.”
While familiarity helped, Crumbliss’ production is what got him drafted. He is the only four-year starter to ever play for ESU coach Bob Fornelli. He holds the ESU record for career hits, runs scored and doubles.
This year Crumbliss hit .397, a record-setting 30 doubles, stole 30 bases and had 54 RBIs. He also helped lead Emporia State to the National Championship game at the World Series.
“I was thrilled for Conner,” Fornelli said. “I know how much hard work he’s put into it and everything he’s gone through. The success of Emporia State has a lot to do with Conner Crumbliss and he definitely deserves an opportunity to get drafted and an opportunity to play at the next level.”
Crumbliss is the third ESU player under Fornelli to get drafted. Pitcher Gabe Medina went to the Yankees in the 15th round and catcher John Martin went to the Dodgers in the 24th round in 2006. Martin is now the pitching coach at ESU and Medina plays for the independent league Wichita Wingnuts.
Last year, former ESU catcher Keith Hernandez and outfielder Eric Shortell went undrafted and later signed free agent deals. Hernandez signed with the Detroit Tigers and Shortell signed with the Royals.
Fornelli had several players drafted during his seven years at Fort Hays State with various levels of success. Pitcher Nate Field was a Fort Hays State product and he is currently in the Florida Marlins organization and spent four seasons with the Royals. Fornelli said a lot of factors determine how far a prospect makes it, but he believes Crumbliss has as good a shot as any position player he’s coached.
“I think he’s going to play for awhile. I really do,” Fornelli said. “If they give him an opportunity and not worry about that he wasn’t a big-time high draft guy and just let that guy develop, I think he can play for awhile as long as he puts his mind to it. I think he has potential to do as good as he can.”
Crumbliss does not know his next destination or how much money he will be making. Ayers said it’s the norm for college seniors drafted below the 15th round to get a $1,000 signing bonus and then a salary for $1,100 per month.
Ayers also said that he’s pushing for Crumbliss to start in Vancouver, Canada, with the A’s short-season Class A team, which begins in late June. The other option would be in a rookie league in Arizona.
“It’s cool with me,” Crumbliss said. “Hey, if they’ll let me play. I don’t care what they say. I’ll go anywhere.”