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BOCA RATON – Like most young boys, Tyler Frank dreamed of playing professional baseball. Well, now he’s older and the Florida Atlantic shortstop may be a season away from his dream coming true.
Frank returns for his third season at FAU hoping to lead the Owls back to the NCAA tournament.
FAU won 35 games last season, but loss No. 21 not only ended their chances at a Conference USA title, it also ended their season. The Owls didn’t receive an NCAA tournament bid for the first time in three seasons.
“Last year, was not even close to what FAU pictures any season ending,” Frank says. “We’re always looking to make it to a regional and farther.”
Expectations are high not just for the Owls, but for Frank. College baseball players are eligible to be drafted following their junior season. Two MLB scouts spent part of their Thursday afternoon sitting in a dugout watching FAU, and Frank in particular, practice. In that respect, Thursday wasn’t all that different than any other preseason practice.
“He’s going to get drafted high enough where he’s going to get a fair amount of chances to be successful in this game,” McCormack said.
Once MLB’s June draft begins McCormack doesn’t expect to wait long before hearing Frank’s name called.
“His floor is the fifth round, his ceiling is the mid-second, maybe higher,” McCormack said.
Before Frank does cross that bridge, he has a full collegiate season ahead of him.
The importance for Frank goes all around the diamond. He’s a strong bat, finishing last season with a .336 batting average and 43 RBIs, earning All-Conference USA honors
“He’s the catalyst of the offense,” pitcher Jake Miednik said.
He’s also got the ability to play almost anywhere on the field. Two seasons ago when the Owls suddenly found themselves short on catchers, McCormack asked Frank, a natural middle infielder, if he’d be willing to move behind the plate.
With future second-round draft choice C. J. Chatham blocking Frank’s path to playing time at shortstop the then-true freshman made the move. By the end of the season one C-USA coach told McCormack that Frank was a future All-Conference USA catcher. This past summer, Frank put the gear back on for a few games while playing with Team USA.
While there may be more catching in his professional future, Frank is a shortstop – and only a shortstop – for FAU this season.
“Knowing that he’s behind you, you’re able to pitch more to contact, let him make some good plays for you.” Miednik said.
And while the start of a potentially lucrative professional career is likely only a few months away, Frank’s focus is on FAU’s Feb. 16 season opener against George Washington.
“Got a long way to go,” Frank said. “Long way to go.”
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