Houston Astros amateur scout Jim Stevenson personally visited Northeast Oklahoma A&M College in the months leading up to the 2014 MLB Draft. He had his eye on two pitchers, Dean Deetz and Jake Jewell. Both were highly touted. Stevenson reserved a spot for them in the Astros’ invitation-only pre-draft workout in Houston.



Some days before the workout, Deetz called Stevenson to make a special request. He wanted to use his pull to get an invitation for his teammate: Ramón Laureano.



Laureano didn’t necessarily need to be there. He was so far under the radar, he would be available in the latter part of the draft. Still, Stevenson approved. As long as Laureano paid his own way. Transportation and lodging was only covered for official invitees.



“Where is he?” Stevenson said during a phone interview, recalling the conversation with Deetz. “And he said, ‘Well, he’s already gone back to the Dominican...