The Cape Cod Baseball League is one of the most historic and prestigious summer leagues out there.
And every year, dozens upon dozens of players, looking to improve their draft stock, head to the Cape, to try to make an impression on scouts, who descend upon the area like no other event.
Some players are looking to prove they can make the transition to wooden bats from aluminum, while others are small college names looking to prove that they can pitch against the big boys.
A recent study of Major League players found that one in seven at one time or another played in the Cape League and past alumni of the Cape Cod League include recent names like Buster Posey, Gordon Beckham, Justin Smoak, and Ike Davis.
The Cape doesn’t just boast a handful of new fresh faces, and in fact, once included Hall of Fame caliber players like Jeff Bagwell, Todd Helton, Craig Biggio, Frank Thomas, Mark Teixeira, and Chase Utley, as well as All-Stars like Aaron Hill, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Bay, Lance Berkman, Pat Burrell, Sean Casey, Darin Erstad, Mark Mulder, Carlos Pena, Tim Salmon, Aaron Rowand, Barry Zito and Kevin Youkilis.
More recently, as of the past two or three years, the Cape has become a haven for recently drafted players looking to prove something: that they have fully recovered from injury, or that they deserve more money than their draft status guarantees them.
This season, there are a ton of big names playing on the Cape, and several are playing for improved draft status in next year’s draft, but some are playing to secure more money or prove they’re healthy.
Here’s who’s making the most noise.