Ruotolo and Bingel Possible MLB Draft Picks

They just graduated from high school and Peabody star pitchers Pat Ruotolo and Brandon Bingel could be headed to the big leagues.

According to the New England Baseball Journal, Ruotolo and Bingel are among 20 top prospects for the Major League Baseball draft this week. The draft runs June 6-8. Only eight of the 20 players mentioned are actually in college now.

Ruotolo, who was featured No. 6 in the lineup, just graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and has committed to play at the University of Connecticut.

"[Ruotolo] recently recorded his 300th career strikeout and made national headlines in 2012 with three no-hitters in four starts," notes the magazine in its June edition and predicts he will be picked in rounds 20-25.

Bingel, who also plays shortstop, just graduated from St. John's Prep in Danvers and is featured as No. 12. He has committed to play at Bryant University and is predicted to be picked in rounds 25-30 of the draft.

Bingel was separately featured in the magazine as one of the best "two-way" players for his prowess on the mound as well as in the infield and at bat. He told the journal he plans to attend Bryant even if he is drafted this week.

"He is by far the best two-way player in the area, and probably New England," Steve Lomasney told the magazine. Lomasney has coached Bingel at his Lawrence training camp and was a Peabody High star himself who went on to play pro ball for 12 years after being drafted by the Red Sox.

Incidentally, you can also find another former major leaguer and Peabody star on the front cover of the magazine -- Jeff Allison is profiled on his work now to help other young players on and off the field.

You can find the full June edition of the magazine online here.