Turlock High, Merced College product Blake Cederlind drafted by Minnesota Twins

Blake Cederlind chose to continue his baseball career at Merced College for one reason: Devine intervention.

Blue Devils assistant coach Nate Devine has developed a reputation as a pitching guru, turning the program into a launching pad for local talent looking to attract big-league scouts.

The list of recent alumni is impressive: Derick Velazquez (Houston Astros, seventh round in 2014), Jake Sisco (Cleveland Indians, third round in 2011) and Bradin Hagens (Arizona Diamondbacks, sixth round in 2009) have experienced the euphoria of a Major League Baseball draft selection.

Two of Devine’s disciples have reached the show: Curtis Partch, chosen by the Cincinnati Reds in the 26th round of the 2007 draft, and Hagens. Partch now is with the Giants playing for Triple-A Sacramento.

“The guy has a master’s in biomechanics, so he knows what he’s talking about,” said Cederlind, a right-hander from Turlock High School. “He’s had 10 major leaguers come through there, and they’ve all been a product of him.”

Cederlind could be No. 11, should he choose to sign. He was drafted in the 22nd round by the Minnesota Twins, who were intrigued by the 19-year-old’s fastball and big body. He is 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds with a fastball that lives in the mid-90s.

“Cederlind’s got a good arm. He’s kind of, I wouldn’t say a project, but a projectable (junior college) kid,” Twins scouting director Deron Johnson told Fox Sports North. “He hit 94 at our workout. He didn’t get a lot of time on the mound this year, but we took a gamble on a guy with a good arm (and) a nice body.”

Cederlind watched the draft from his parents’ home in Turlock. He was all alone, which was probably best because in that moment, the fiery competitor was reduced to tears.

The Twins called ahead, sending the big-bodied prospect a text message. Instantly, Cederlind’s anxiety was turned into excitement. When his name was finally announced with the 650th overall pick, his emotions bubbled to the surface.

“I’d never been that excited,” he said. “I was experiencing every emotion up until the selection. When I heard my name called, I was so freakin’ happy. All the emotions hit me, and I was crying tears of joy. There’s no other feeling like that in the world.

“It’s been my dream all my life. I’ve worked hard every time I was on the field for that. It’s humbling.”

Cederlind credits the life and zip on his attractive fastball to Devine, who also counsels Blue Devils alumni, including Washington Nationals starter Doug Fister.

In the short time Devine and Cederlind have worked together, Cederlind has added about 4 mph to his heater. He registered 94 mph during a bullpen for Twins scouts shortly after his freshman season.

“When you’re throwing 94 to 96 mph, that’s going to turn some heads and open some eyes,” Devine said. “Once you start getting past 91 and 92, to me, it seems each extra mile per hour carries a little more weight. The difference between 92 and 95 is greater than 89 and 92, if that makes any sense.”

The selection comes after a trying freshman season for Cederlind, who was 3-1 with a 7.89 ERA. He struggled in two of his three starts but found his form in the bullpen and finished the season as the team’s closer. Devine commended Cederlind for never losing faith in the process. His persistence was rewarded in the draft.

“He’s worked really hard over the last eight months or so that he’s been with us,” Devine said. “He’s dedicated to the weight room and trying to learn. It hasn’t been easy for him. He’s had a lot of struggles that he wasn’t ready for or hadn’t faced up until this point. He’s done a good job of working to improve himself. He’s got a special arm, that’s for sure.”

Cederlind declined to talk in detail about his contract negotiations. He also said he won’t rush his decision. He may choose to return to Merced College to improve his draft position.

“I’m going over some things. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet,” he said. “(The Twins) have said to take my time and think it over, talk to my coaches and family, and see what I want to do.”

Another year with the pitching guru would not be a bad consolation prize.

“I always say I’m the luckiest pitching coach in California to have been here such a short time and have two make it to the big leagues and have guys get drafted as high as Jake Sisco,” Devine said. “Those guys work hard – that’s the one thing they have in common. They’re dedicated to coming here and becoming great pitchers.

“In recent years, we’ve had guys get drafted. We got guys like Brian Fuentes, Doug Fister, Bradin and Partch coming by the field. I feel like it really pushes those guys to be the next guy. It also shows them that it can definitely happen here.”

This story was originally published June 15, 2015 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Turlock High, Merced College product Blake Cederlind drafted by Minnesota Twins."