NCBA Alumni in MLB Baseball

While the majority of club baseball players play for the love of the game and to simply extend their playing career while in college, a few exceptional NCBA alumni have been able to take their game into the MLB affiliated professional ranks.  If you know of another NCBA Alumnus who has made it into MLB affiliated professional baseball we’d love to hear more about them so that they can be included in our archives.  Feel free to send any additional submissions to [email protected].

Players

Nate Nowicki (P) – Colorado State University (Club) – Drafted in the 19th round (563 overall) of the 2003 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins, Nate holds the distinction of being the first NCBA player drafted.

Steve Schmoll (P) – University of Maryland (Varsity) – After starting as a catcher on the Maryland Club team, Steve would move on to become a pitcher on the varsity team where he would sign with the Dodgers in 2003 as an un-drafted free agent.  Steve holds the distinction of being the first NCBA player to appear in an MLB game when he made his debut on April 6, 2005.  Interestingly he made sports center plays of the week during his debut for defense play on the mound.

Chris Waters (P) – University of North Florida (Varsity) – Prior to being drafted in the 16th round (473 overall) of the 2004 MLB Draft by the Anaheim Angels, Chris began his collegiate baseball career playing on the Clemson Club Team before transferring to UNF.

Dominque Rodgers (P) – Kent State University (Varsity) – Drafted in the 36th round (1105 overall) of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, Dom started on the Kent State Club Team before getting called up to Varsity.

Matt Campbell (P) – University of Florida (Varsity) – Drafted in the 42nd round (1297 overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds, Matt returned to school and would again get drafted in 2011 (24th rd, 751 overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies.  Matt began his college career on the U of Florida Club Team before getting called up to Varsity.

Vinnie St. John (P) – University of Southern California (Club) – Drafted in the 45th round (1374 overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Anaheim Angels, Vinnie took an unusual path to pro ball.  He actually began his college career on the USC varsity team before stepping away to join the USC Trojans Club Team.  From there he impressed Angels scouts enough to earn his draft selection.

Dan Gentzler (P) – University of Maryland (Varsity) – After starting out on the Maryland Club team, Dan moved on to pitch on the varsity team where he would sign with the Detroit Tigers in 2010 as an un-drafted free agent.

Christopher Perry (P) – Methodist University (Varsity) – Prior to being drafted in the 17th round (540 overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Chris began his collegiate baseball career playing on the UNC – Wilmington Club Team before transferring to Methodist.

Michael Holback (P) – Cal Poly State University (Varsity) – Drafted in the 25th round (755 overall) of the 2013 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, Mike started on the Cal Poly Club Team before getting called up to Varsity.

Seth Brenner (P) – University of Central Florida (Club) – After starting out with the Central Florida Club Team in 2012-13, Seth moved onto the varsity team at Rollins College.  The next two seasons Seth pitched in the United Shore League before moving into the Frontier League in 2018.  2013 NCBA Division I 2nd Team All American

Chris Williams (P) – University of Central Florida (Varsity) – After starting out with the Central Florida Club Team in 2015, Chris moved on to pitch on the varsity team from 2016-2019. He later signed as a Free Agent with the Missoula Osprey, the Rookie Ball affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tanner Duncan (P) – East Carolina University (Club) – After pitching ECU to the 2017 NCBA National Championship and earning World Series MVP honors, Tanner would sign with the Houston Astros in 2017 as an un-drafted free agent. 2016 NCBA Division I 3rd Team All American.  2017 NCBA Division I 1st Team All American.  2017 Division I World Series MVP.

Jason Bahr (P) – University of Central Florida (Varsity) – Drafted in the 5th round (156 overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants, Jason played on the Central Florida Club Team in 2014 before getting called up to Varsity.  Sporting a career ERA in the minors under 4, he most recently pitched for the Texas Rangers AAA affiliate Round Rock Express in 2022.

Zach Reks (OF) – University of Kentucky (Varsity) – Drafted in the 10th round (310 overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Zach played on the Kentucky Club Team before getting called up to Varsity.  Zach made his MLB debut on June 21, 2021 for the Dodgers becoming just the 2nd NCBA Alum (Steve Schmoll) to appear in an MLB baseball game and to the best of our knowledge, he is still the only NCBA player to have played professionally as a position player.

Chase Lee (P) – University of Alabama (Varsity) – Drafted in the 6th round (164 overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, Chase started on the Alabama Club Team before getting called up to Varsity.  To date, Chase is the highest MLB draft selection to have previously played in the NCBA.  2018 NCBA Division I 1st Team All American

Jason Franks (P) – Cal Poly State University (Varsity) – Drafted in the 8th round (245 overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves, Jason started on the Cal Poly Club Team before getting called up to Varsity.

Bo Plagge (P) – Auburn University (Club) – Bo began his collegiate career playing for the NCAA team at Towson for two years, while then spending his third year at Saint Mary’s College. Transferring to Auburn to focus on academics, he joined the Club Baseball team. After dominating that Fall, he earned an invite to a pro day in the area.  The Chicago White Sox signed Bo to a professional contract a matter of days later.

Coaches