Local baseball players prepare for MLB draft

Whether following the 2012 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft online or over the airwaves, or pursuing other diversions should the waiting game become too tense, the small group of locals hoping to hear their names called will likely spend the three-day event on the edge of their seats.

Crescenta Valley High senior Troy Mulcahey, Glendale Community College freshman Alonzo Gonzalez and a handful of Gonzalez' Glendale Angelenos teammates have all garnered interest from big league clubs in recent months.

Just how much interest will be seen over the course of the draft, which starts with the first round and Compensation Round A on Monday at 4 p.m. PDT.

The fates of local talent, however, will likely be decided between rounds two through 40, which will be streamed live on mlb.com on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mulcahey, a right-handed pitcher/outfielder and reigning All-Area Baseball Player of the Year, has been touted as a future prospect since first entering high school and hopes to hear his name earlier rather than later on Tuesday.

"It feels pretty great. I'm extremely nervous on how the draft is going to go," said Mulcahey, who is hoping to be selected as early as the sixth round. "But I'm all high hopes and I know even if I don't get drafted, I still have college."

Troy's father Dan Mulcahey said that 25 of the 30 Major League Baseball teams have contacted Troy and out of those, they have had continuous contact with six clubs. Troy Mulcahey said the Philadelphia Phillies have shown the most interest and he also worked out for the Chicago Cubs on May 20.

Troy Mulcahey, despite his prowess as a power hitter is still being looked at primarily as a pitching prospect.

Dan Mulcahey said teams have been concerned with the fact his son didn't pitch much for Crescenta Valley down the stretch of the Falcons' Pacific League title run and subsequent CIF playoff appearance, but he said Mulcahey's arm is fine, there's no injury concern and the lack of pitching appearances simply came down to his coach's decisions.

Gonzalez, a left-handed pitcher, recovered from an injury to go 7-2 with a 2.59 earned-run average in helping Glendale college reach the postseason for the second year in a row. He struck out 40 and didn't allow a home run all season.

"He's a 6-foot-5 left-handed pitcher who shows great athleticism," Vaqueros Coach Chris Cicuto said. "He's shown he can improve with every outing, but in reality his projectability is a little high just because of that size.