Hemond to represent D-backs at Draft
Longtime executive serves as team special assistant

PHOENIX -- It is hard to keep up with Roland Hemond these days.
At the age of 79, Hemond is active as ever in his role as special assistant to D-backs team president and CEO Derrick Hall. Whether it is frequent trips to Mexico to enhance the organization's initiatives in that country or numerous speaking engagements, Hemond has become an ambassador of sorts for the D-backs.
ROUND 1 PICKS
Follow every pick1 WAS: S. Strasburg 2 SEA: D. Ackley 3 SD: D. Tate 4 PIT: J. Sanchez 5 BAL: M. Hobgood 6 SF: Z. Wheeler 7 ATL: M. Minor 8 CIN: M. Leake 9 DET: J. Turner 10 WAS: D. Storen 11 COL: T. Matzek 12 KC: A. Crow 13 OAK: G. Green 14 TEX: M. Purke 15 CLE: A. White 16 ARI: R. Borchering 17 ARI: A. Pollock 18 FLA: C. James 19 STL: S. Miller 20 TOR: S. Jenkins 21 HOU: J. Mier 22 MIN: K. Gibson 23 CWS: J. Mitchell 24 LAA: R. Grichuk 25 LAA: M Trout 26 MIL: E. Arnett 27 SEA: N. Franklin 28 BOS: R. Fuentes 29 NYY: S. Heathcott 30 TB: L. Washington 31 CHC: B. Jackson 32 COL: T. Wheeler 36 LAD: A. Miller 72 NYM: S. Matz 75 PHI: K. Dugan MORE COVERAGE
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So it's no surprise that Hemond will represent the D-backs in Secaucus, N.J., on the first day of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
MLB.com will offer live coverage and analysis of the entire First-Year Player Draft on June 9-11. The MLB Network will broadcast the first round at 3 p.m. MST on June 9 from its Studio 42 in Secaucus, N.J., and those 32 selections also will be simulcast live on MLB.com.
Beginning with the 33rd pick, up-to-the-minute on-air coverage from the remaining rounds will shift exclusively to MLB.com/Live, where host Vinny Micucci will be joined by MLB.com Draft expert Jonathan Mayo and Major League Scouting Bureau director Frank Marcos.
Once the first night is done, the Draft will continue with the rounds 4-30, via conference call from MLB Headquarters in New York, at 9 a.m. MST on Wednesday, June 10. Rounds 31-50 will be on Thursday, June 11, starting at 8:30 a.m. MST.
This is an important Draft for the D-backs, who have seven of the first 64 picks including Nos. 16 and 17 and are counting on a big haul to help replenish a farm system depleted by trades and promotions.
Rico Brogna, one of Arizona's Major League scouts, was also initially scheduled to attend with Hemond, but that is likely to change given the recent organizational shuffling that has taken place.
With A.J. Hinch moving from farm director to manager and Jack Howell going from Minor League field coordinator to Major League hitting coach, Brogna was named special assistant to player development and will be helping to make up for Howell's absence.
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.




