DANVILLE (WSLS 10 SPORTS) -
The Danville Braves return this season with a roster consisting of 15 players from the 2016 draft class. That includes pitcher Jeremy Walker from the fifth round and infielder Matt Gonzalez from the sixth round.
"Come in not knowing anybody or anything like that but it's a bunch of great guys on as soon as I came in i mean everybody kind of gelled really quick", said Gonzalez.
"I thought I was going to go around 7th to 10th round but the night before the draft they actually called me and said if everything was going to go alright I'd actually be picked in the 5th or 6th", said pitcher Jeremy Walker.
With a young team it's vital to have a staff with experience and the Braves have plenty of it in manager Robinson Cancel. He's been around the game of baseball for more than two decades. The catcher made his MLB debut in 1999 with the Brewers. He knows the importance of developing young talent, to prepare them for the next step.
"Its going to take them a while some will pick it up quick some of them pick it up you know a little later this is like third base that's where they start their career so they are on the same page going uphill", said Cancel.
When you walk into American Legion Field, you're constantly reminded of who all got their start here at the rookie level. Banners with players like Jayson Hayward and Craig Kimbrel can be found throughout the stadium. Now this next group of hopefuls use that as motivation, to achieve their own dream of reaching the big leagues.
"The main focus on this team is winning I think a lot of guys come from a good background in college or high school and where winning comes first and you know with team success comes individual success", said pitcher Zach Rice.