[the_ad_group id=”632″]
BOCA RATON – Following Sunday’s season-ending loss to Georgia, FAU catcher Pedro Pages relished spending one last night in a hotel bonding with his Owl teammates.
Pages and the Owls return to Boca Raton on Monday. By the time Tuesday ends Pages should begin to catch glimpses of his next set of teammates.
The Major League Baseball Draft begins on Monday with the first two rounds. Rounds three through 10 follow on Tuesday, with the final 30 rounds coming on Wednesday.
One of the highest-rated college catchers available in this year’s draft, Pages will almost certainly be selected on Tuesday – perhaps as early as the third round.
“I didn’t even have my mind on that yet,” Pages said Sunday evening, “I’m kind of sad about what happened today.”
MLB scouts praise Pages’ defensive abilities behind the plate along with his skilled management of pitching staffs.
A junior with one year of eligibility remaining, Pages expects to forego that final year should he be selected on Tuesday.
“I am going to be excited,” Pages said. “It’s always been a goal of mine.”
Pages isn’t certain yet whether he’ll gather with his family in Miami or Boca Raton to watch the draft.
He’s received advice regarding how to handle the stress of the day from former FAU shortstop Tyler Frank, drafted by Tampa Bay in the second round last year.
“He’s been telling me just take it how it comes,” Pages said. “Don’t think too much about it.”
Pages won’t be the only Owl closely monitoring the draft. Pitcher Mike Ruff and center fielder Eric Rivera could join Pages as second-day selections.
“I’m just excited,” Rivera said. “I’m sad that the season’s over but just excited for the next chapter in my life.”
Junior second baseman Francisco Urbaez could here his name called on Wednesday before the draft reaches round No. 20. Senior pitchers Blake Sanderson and Vince Coletti, along with junior outfielder Bobby Morgensen and senior infielder Joe Montes all have the potential to be late-round selections.
FAU coaches will also be paying close attention to if and where St. Petersburg College infielder Dustin Harris is selected. An Owls’ signee, Harris could be a second-day selection if his signing price fits within an MLB club’s parameters. If that happens, he will likely skip playing for FAU and sign with that team.
Recent Comments