Area stars Sheppard, Esquivel get mid-draft call from Cubs

Downers North's Dan Sheppard was selected by the Cubs in the 30th round of this year's MLB Draft.
(Jon Cunningham/For the Beacon News)

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Wrigley Field was the first thing to come to Dan Sheppard’s mind when he saw he was selected Wednesday in Day 2 of baseball’s amateur draft.

Why Wrigley? Because the Downers Grove North catcher was taken by the Cubs in the 30th round with the 920th overall pick.

"The Chicago Cubs. I wasn’t really expecting it," said Sheppard, who is considered one the best defensive catchers in the state. "But it was really awesome."

Sheppard was one of three area high schoolers selected Wednesday. De La Salle pitcher Gerardo Esquivel (24th round) also was drafted by the Cubs, and Neuqua Valley pitcher Ian Krol (seventh round) was taken by the Oakland A’s. They are among 18 players with area roots taken on the second day of the draft.

"It’s a dream come true," said Sheppard, an Iowa signee. "So many kids dream of playing at Wrigley around here. To have this happen to me is amazing."

Sheppard, who batted .430 with six homers and 28 RBI this season for the Trojans, was at home when he "saw it on the computer" that he was picked. He said he expects to meet with the Cubs in "the next week or two."

"Hard work always pays off," Sheppard said. "I’m just working on getting better each day."

Krol, a lefty, helped lead Neuqua Valley to a state championship as a sophomore and signed with Arizona after a strong junior season. Baseball America listed Krol as one of the nation’s best high school players. But in March of this year, he was suspended for his senior season for his second violation of the District 204 athletic code of conduct.

Notable college draftees include U.C.-Santa Barbara infielder Robby Cummings and Mississippi State infielder Connor Powers.

Cummings, a St. Rita graduate, was drafted by the White Sox in the 28th round. He earned Sun-Times All-Area honors in 2004. Powers, a Benet graduate who was the 2006 Sun-Times Player of the Year, was taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round.

Esquivel, a right-handed pitcher, is signed with Kansas State.

Other collegiate draft picks from the area include (with high school): Rob Scahill (Willowbrook), Brett Nommensen (Cary-Grove), Robert Currie (St. Charles North), Jake Goebbert (Hampshire), Dave Sever (Benet), Mike Pericht (Providence), Dominic Altobelli (Marist), Andrew Wolcott (Warren), Jack Walker (Naperville North), Adam Worthington (Warren), Scott Kelley (Hersey), Daniel Jimenez (St. Charles North), Wade Kapteyn (Illiana Christian) and Michael Giovenco (Fenwick).