If You Build It, They Will Come

        Profile Cole Nelson was a pitcher who pitched for Des Moines Area Community College* before transferring to Auburn.  Cole was drafted in the 2010 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers, and he topped out in double A ball. * Only 1 DMACC player has reached the majors : Scott Schebler ** The 2010 draft include one of my favorite players, Lucas O'Rear.  From UNI, he played in the minors for a little bit, but mainly I'll remember his time on that 2010 UNI basketball team that knocked off Kansas to reach the Sweet 16. Personal Notes You might not realize this, but Cole was traded for a player drafted #1 overall in one of the better drafts.  In 2011, the Tigers trade Cole to the Minnesota Twins for Delmon Young, who was only a year removed from a MVP (vote getting) season.  Delmon would accrue 0.3 WAR over the last 5 years after that trade. Collection Notes I have 1/19 (5%) cards in my collection.

        Profile George Williams* was a catcher for the Oakland A's and San Diego Padres in the late 90s, mostly as a backup catcher.  He accrued a 1.5 WAR over his career.  He started his college career at Des Moines Area Community College** before ending up at the University of Texas Pan America.   *  Not George Williams , nor George Williams , nor the six other minor leaguers named  George Williams , nor George Williams , nor ... ** Four DMACC players played in MLB: Corey Koskie, Scott Schebler, George Williams, and Paul Wilmet.  Personal Notes DMACC is one of a ton of community colleges in Iowa, the largest of the CCs ahead of Kirkwood.  CCs remain a difficult piece to the Iowa Collection, as they tend not to be a person's last stop.  George Williams started there before MiraCosta College in California before ending up in UTPA.  CCs can't hold elite players as they move on to bigger schools for exposure, or they ma...