Robbie Shields, the Cape and the Draft
Baseball America’s “Early Draft Preview” features a Division II talent they call the “Cape crusader.”Dave kept a careful eye last year on this crusader, Robbie Shields, who was passed over by Miami and ended up playing for the Florida Southern Moccasins. As Dave reported last year, Shields had a great, albeit short, Cape season last year with the Cotuit Kettleers.
Shields was injured after 10 games in the Cape League. He had been hitting .429 but finished shortly thereafter hitting .349 with two homers and 11 RBIs in just 43 at-bats.
“I always knew I could play wtih anybody and the Cape allowed me to prove it,” Shields told Baseball America’s Brian Chmielewski. “I really enjoyed the opportunity to prove everybody that doubted me wrong.”
Cotuit head coach Mike Roberts called him the best position player in the league for the first part of the season last year.
The Mocs have sent the likes of Lance Niekro and Brett Tomko to the professional ranks, each of whom followed a similar path from Florida Southern, to the Cape and beyond.
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- ‘09 Preseason Preview: Cotuit Kettleers : CodBall: Unofficial Blog of the Cape Cod Baseball League - [...] hasn’t decided if he wants to return to FIU, would absolutely light up Lowell Park. Shields, who we’ve been ...
I had the privelege of calling games for the Kettlers last season, and Robbie Shields was nothing short of stunning in his brief season. A keen batting eye, fantastic glove and a tight, compact swing that produced great power.
More impressive was Robbie’s character. Even after the injury, he came back to the Cape to support the team through their run to the Cape League Finals. He was a class act, and a hard guy not to root for.
From conversations I had with Robbie at the end of last year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up a temporary player on the Kettleers’ roster.
If there’s any delay in the signing of his contract (Robbie will hopefully go in the first round), it’s possible we’ll see him on the Cape.
If you’d like to listen to Kettleers’ baseball this summer, go to kettleers.org