Prior to joining the Red Sox as a fourth-round draft pick in 2016, first baseman Bobby Dalbec cut his teeth playing for the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod League. The Cape League is one of the most prestigious summer leagues in all of baseball, annually attracting MLB hopefuls like Dalbec and other college stars from around the country.
Orleans has produced droves of future big-leaguers (alums include Carlton Fisk, Todd Helton, Nomar Garciaparra and Mark Teixeira), but even by Cape standards, the 2015 Firebirds boasted an unusual amount of star power, featuring Dalbec, Bryan Reynolds, reigning American League Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis and Brewers ace Corbin Burnes (who has yet to walk a batter in his three starts this season), among other standouts. Another member of that team, outfielder Ronnie Dawson, debuted for Houston Wednesday night, becoming the 10th player from the 2015 Firebirds to reach the majors (h/t Cespedes Family Barbecue). That total could soon rise to 11, depending on how quickly Rays farmhand Joe Ryan (2.36 ERA over 36 minor-league turns including 29 starts) progresses.
That’s an astounding collection of talent, though, remarkably, Orleans didn’t even win the title in 2015, falling to eventual champion Yarmouth-Dennis in the semifinals despite posting a league-best 31-12 regular-season record. Though nowhere near as stacked as Orleans, Yarmouth’s roster was still plenty talented, led by the likes of last year’s AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber and future Cardinals utility man Tommy Edman.
Dalbec has had a rough go of it early on (.176 AVG with 14 strikeouts in 34 at-bats), though the 6’4” slugger showed promise as a rookie in 2020, bopping eight homers to go with a stout .600 slugging percentage last summer (92 plate appearances).
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