Seventy-four young men saw their dreams turn into reality during Day 1 of the MLB Draft on Sunday night. Three of those ballplayers happened to be former Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

The first Hawk to be selected didn't have to wait very long to hear his name called in Texas. Christian Moore, an infielder from Tennessee, was selected eighth overall by the Los Angeles Angels. Not only was he the first Hyannis player to come off the board, but the native of Brooklyn, New York, was also the first Vol to turn pro from the recent 2024 national championship squad.

Moore will join 2022 Hawks teammate Nolan Schanuel who was selected in the first round by the Angels just a year ago. Schanuel is already making strides with the big league club, he's smacked eight home runs, with 32 RBI at just 22 years old.

"It's super exciting," assistant GM Mazdak Darvari said. "Seeing guys like [Schanuel] get taken off the board early last year, and the potential we have this year, it's awesome. It's surreal seeing guys we brought into the Cape League go on Day 1, and we'll definitely have a few more going on Day 2 and Day 3."

Despite hitting just .176 in 22 Cape league games a few summers ago, Moore was selected high because of his raw power potential, athleticism and quality of contact. The right-handed hitter clubbed 27 home runs during his first two years at Rocky Top, yet excelled this past spring where he hit 34 bombs and drove in 74. He now holds the record for most home runs hit by a Tennessee batter.

"I think this year you saw [Moore] get those contact rates up," Darvari said. "It translated to more power. The approach has always been there, and he played short to start the year. He showed scouts he's got some versatility, and I think the biggest thing for him is just making more contact."

Just six picks later, the Chicago Cubs selected another Harbor Hawk at the 14th overall spot. Cam Smith, a third baseman out of Florida State, was a monster with Hyannis during the summer of 2023.

Across 44 games, Smith tore up the Cape Cod League hitting six home runs, driving in 26, collecting 96 total bases and slashing an impressive .347 average with a .981 OPS. In the process, Smith was named "The Best Pro Prospect" in all of Cape Cod.

"I hosted [Moore] and I hosted [Smith]," Hawks president Dan Johnson said. "They are both just tremendous athletes, I can't wait to see what happens with both of 'em."

Smith was able to form an unlikely bond with Johnson, the two formed a tight-knit relationship during their time together and still communicate through texts and phone calls to this day.

"I had a really special relationship with [Cam] last summer," Johnson said. "He is as good of a human being as he is as a baseball player... teammate, everything. He'd go 0-for-4 and walk into the house smiling, or he'd go 4-for-4 and he'd walk into the house smiling. Baseball doesn't define who he is, that's why I think he's going to do well at the next level. Just the sweetest kid."

The Cubs selected Smith this high because of his hit tool. The youngster only got better during the 2024 season with the Seminoles, in 66 games, the third baseman hit 16 homers, posted an amazing 1.142 OPS and almost walked as much as he struck out. He's a mature hitter with the intangibles to soar through the Minor Leagues.

Billy Amick waited a tad longer than Moore and Smith on Sunday night, but his name was called on Day 1 nonetheless. The Minnesota Twins took a chance on the Tennessee transfer at pick No. 60 in the second round.

Although Amick appeared in just 11 contests as a Hawk, he was outstanding during them. The infielder was a force at the dish hitting .368 (14-for-38) with two home runs and five RBI. He posted a 1.021 OPS and struck out just five times in 44 plate appearances.

Amick saw his stock rise throughout this spring, the former Clemson Tiger transferred to Tennessee and helped it win its first national title. Amick saw action in 65 games with the Vols, he smoked 23 home runs with a 1.026 OPS to boot, turning heads in the process.

"This league is kind of where the stars of tomorrow play, so to see those guys, you know, come on Cape and then get to hear their name called early in the first couple rounds is great," development coordinator Austin DeCouta said.

"I mean [Moore] is a guy who came down to [Hyannis] playing multiple positions to kind of figure out where he was gonna go... just a cool experience. It's good to kind of see it through and get to witness these guys who are working really hard and see their names called on the big stage. It's a testament to the talent [Nick Johnson] and [Darvari] have brought in these past few summers."

Keep an eye out as Days 2 and 3 of the MLB Draft heat up on July 15 and 16. More Harbor Hawks and Cape Leaguers will see their dreams come to fruition.

Sam Fosberg can be reached at samfozsports@gmail.com and followed on Twitter/X @discussbaseball