Pair of future Eagles selected in MLB Draft, waiting game ensues
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 13, 2013) – With Major League Baseball's First-year Player Draft in the books, the Tallahassee Community College Eagles are now waiting on the decision of two members of its 2013 signing class.
The first player with TCC ties to come off the board in last week's draft was highly-touted outfielder Ricardo Bautista (Puerto Rico/Ladislao Martinez HS), who was taken in the 12th round (Pick 365 overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals. Ironically, Bautista attended the same Puerto Rican high school as Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.
"That's gonna be borderline youngest player in the league when he gets there," said Dan Kantrovitz, St. Louis Cardinals scouting director. "He's got some serious juice from the left side. He's got some raw power. You watch the guy in BP and he's gonna pepper around the park all over the place."
As the draft moved into the latter rounds, D.J. McKnight (Madison, Fla./Madison County HS) was selected in the 35th round (Pick 1059 overall) by the Baltimore Orioles.
McKnight, who was named First-team All-Big Bend by the Tallahassee Democrat, led Madison County to the Class 4A Region 1 Semifinals, where it lost to eventual state champion Pensacola Catholic. He batted .358 with eight home runs and 34 RBI as a senior.
Both Bautista and McKnight have until July 12 to sign a professional contract.