Krol gets the call from Oakland A's

As a present for his ninth birthday, Ian Krol threw out the first pitch before a Kane County Cougars game. The 18-year-old could soon be working there.

The Cougars are now a Class A affiliate of Oakland, which drafted Krol once he fell into the seventh round on Wednesday. The small-market A's pioneered the "Moneyball" concept and found good value with the 213th overall pick in the first-year player draft.

Krol, the pitcher in exile, threw in Wisconsin and at showcases this spring after he was suspended for his senior season at Neuqua Valley. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound left-hander, a high-school all-American last summer, lasted until the second day of the draft.

"I don't want to say this like in a cocky way, but I knew I was gonna get drafted," Krol said. "It really didn't matter what round. (It's) not an ego thing for me at all."

Agent Mark Pieper of SFX Baseball is advising the Krol family. August 15 is the deadline for Oakland to reach a deal with Krol, who has signed a letter of intent with Arizona.

"We've gone through this over and over and over. Trust me, we've made lists a hundred times," Krol said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

"I'm not gonna say the chances are slim to go to college (but) getting drafted again after college (is) pretty risky."

An ESPN.com scouting report detailed Krol's fastball at 88-90 mph, his curve at 72-75 and his changeup at 76-78. But some things can't be measured.

"There's a certain mentality that you have to have — I don't care what professional sport you play," Neuqua coach Robin Renner said. "I believe Ian has that (and) I've had two or three different baseball people tell me that."

Organizations had one minute between picks on Wednesday afternoon. The draft, which concludes today, continued with a teleconference out of Major League Baseball's headquarters in New York.

The 60-second rush toward a call you've been waiting for your entire life may seem a bit impersonal. But the least they can do is get your name right.

Jack Walker followed along online and saw Washington select a "Jake Walker" with the first pick of the 20th round. This player went to the same school (Concordia University Chicago) and had the same birthday (Feb. 12, 1987). Not that the Naperville North graduate necessarily needed the confirmation, but soon Nationals scout Steve Arnieri was calling to say congratulations.

"I guess they didn't have spell check on the draft board," Walker said before excusing himself for a moment to plug in his cell phone, which was about to die. "I was getting text messages and phone calls like crazy."

Walker, a Division III infielder, hit .352 as a four-year starter and is the school's career leader in five categories, including games played (176), hits (235) and runs scored (211).

If you can play, they'll find you.

Connor Powers worked out for the Dodgers on Monday in Los Angeles and must have done something right. They chose the 6-2, 220-pound Benet graduate in the 11th round with the 337th overall pick.

"I felt comfortable with the guys that I met in the front office and their scouting (department)," Powers said. "Apparently, they like me too."

The corner infielder has the option of going back to Mississippi State for his senior season. St. Louis right-hander Dave Sever, another Benet graduate, was selected in the 21st round last year by the Dodgers, returned to school and improved his stock by going 6-4 with a 3.60 ERA for the Billikens as a senior. The Blue Jays picked Sever on Wednesday in the 16th round.

"Hopefully (we) can come to terms in the next couple days. I want to sign but there's just a business side that's got to get worked out," Powers said. "(Hopefully) I can start my career as soon as possible."

It will be hard to say no.

Contact Patrick Mooney at pmooney@scn1.com or 630-416-5107.