Two decades or so ago, when he was running the draft for another National League club, Gary LaRocque saw a scout slump in the back of the room, the scout’s eyes drifting from the task. The drumbeat of the draft had, at this point, long since lost the hip-hop of the early rounds and was settling into a monotone list of names and positions and the occasional dial tone. Despite all the picks made, the scout had yet to have a player from his area selected.
LaRocque, now a Cardinals exec, sat down beside him.
“Stay engaged,” he said, waving to the names still on their board.