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<\/p>\nChris Stanfield and Nicholas Romano of the Crosscutters are both safe on a double steal in the first inning against the IronBirds at Bowman Field.
\nDAVE KENNEDY\/Sun-Gazette<\/p>\n
Unlike previous years that saw the second half season of the MLB Draft League begin after that year\u2019s MLB<\/p>\n
Draft, the 2026 schedule has the season start the week before. As a result, athletes that participate in the second half season not only have a heightened opportunity to be picked up by a team, but can even be drafted after just a week into the second half season.<\/p>\n
As such, with the MLB Draft taking place this weekend, there may be a scene in which an athlete is taken out of the game because that dream phone call was made that they have been picked up by a professional organization.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a dream that all athletes, including Williamsport Crosscutter outfielder Chris Stanfield, can only relish in. Stanfield has been a cornerstone with the Crosscutters throughout the summer. A member of Williamsport\u2019s opening day roster after a standout career in the illustrious Southeastern Conference with Auburn and LSU, the outfield has dazzled Williamsport fans with elite hitting, speed on the basepaths, and an IQ in the field that makes him an irreplaceable part of the Cutters.<\/p>\n
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Chris Stanfield of the Crosscutters leads off first base in the first inning against the IronBirds at Bowman Field.
\nDAVE KENNEDY\/Sun-Gazette<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been awesome,\u201d discussed Stanfield on his time so far in Williamsport. \u201cI came at the very beginning, so it\u2019s been great. To meet Coach Kenny and (pitching coach) Happy Macon and the whole staff, (hitting coach Sean Miller) has done a great job with me. It\u2019s been great.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fans are awesome,\u201d continued Stanfield . \u201cRashan, that whole tradition is awesome. I came out here looking to play hard and look for opportunities at the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n
But it was in the dying embers of the first half season when Stanfield\u2019s production went from elite to potentially life changing. With the Cutters in a pennant chase, the outfielder would finish the previous seven games with a ridiculous 15 hits in 26 at bats with four extra base hits, nine runs batted in, and 10 stolen bases while being caught just once. Much thanks to Stanfield\u2019s efforts, the Cutters would take 10 of the last 11 games of the first half to clinch the half title and earn their third trip to the MLB Draft League Championship in September.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a huge weight off our shoulders,\u201d said Stanfield. \u201cBecause we wanted to play hard and win for the coaches, staff, and the community because we know how much that championship means. So it was a good feeling of accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n
But now, as the second half begins and most Cutters fans eye a potential second MLB Draft League title in three years, some, including Stanfield, eye a potential phone call this weekend that signifies being drafted. With only a handful of second half players signing as free agents after the draft, the athletes know that their best shot at continuing their baseball careers lie with being picked up on Draft weekend.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Chris Stanfield and James McCoy of the Crosscutters talk before McCoy\u2019s at bat in the first inning against the IronBirds at Bowman Field.
\nDAVE KENNEDY\/Sun-Gazette<\/p>\n
In spite of that pressure, Stanfield has continued to be a difference maker in the second half. Across the first two games of the second half, Stanfield overcame a slow opening day start by going two for three with two runsbscored, a run batted in, and a pair of walks as the Cutters split their opening series against the Aberdeen Ironbirds on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t lie, it\u2019s just life,\u201d Stanfield admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s a part of where I\u2019m at now (in my career,) so it is on my mind a<\/p>\n
little. But once I come out here, this is the game I love and that is the time where I put everything to the side and just focus on playing and winning. Of course I want to move on, but when I come to the park, I just focus on the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Williamsport fans that attend this weekend\u2019s games will be an eye witness to the potential drama, with the Cutters hosting the Trenton Thunder in a three game slate beginning Friday. And with rounds 5-20 of the MLB Draft taking place on Sunday, a sudden change in the lineup or in the field could mean one athlete\u2019s dream will continue.<\/p>\n
And if one of those athletes happened to be Stanfield, it could not have gone to a player more deserving.<\/p>\n
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