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Few Connecticut products to be selected in MLB draft
With Major League Baseball’s 2020 draft cut from 40 rounds to just five, few...
www.ctinsider.com
Some UConn notes:
>>For Penders, guys like lefthander Caleb Wurster, righthander Nick Krauth and outfielder Kyler Fedko may have had a chance to be selected within the first 10-15 rounds. Similarly, righthander Calvin Ziegler, a righthander who is rated one of the top prospects in Canada, and Adrian Siravo, a righthander from New Hampshire, are a pair of incoming recruits who may have been faced with the choice of turning pro or attending UConn. There’s an outside chance one or two of those players could be drafted in a couple of weeks, but it appears very unlikely.<<
>>A few local players from UConn could still be tempted to sign as undrafted free agents. Wallingford’s Paul Gozzo, a catcher who likely would have been backup to rising junior Pat Winkel next season, has entered the NCAA transfer portal with Penders’ full blessing. If Gozzo finds a school that offers better playing time, he may take it — but he has also indicated he could sign as a free agent.
Westport’s Ben Casparius, the former Staples High star who spent his first two years at UNC, was denied a waiver to play this past season at UConn — about two weeks before the season was canceled in mid-March. While Penders would love the talented righthander to play for the Huskies next season, it appears Casparius will sign as a free agent if given the chance.
Then there’s Orange’s Chris Winkel, who recently graduated. Winkel has been admitted to grad school at UConn and it appears highly likely he’ll take up the opportunity afforded to all spring-season seniors for an extra year of eligibility. Winkel, who might have been a late-round selection if the draft were 40 rounds, would have one last chance to play with his younger brother.
As for Pat Winkel, who underwent Tommy John surgery in December and was out for this past season anyway, he is progressing well in his rehab and could put himself back in a position to be a high draft pick a year from now — when the draft (at least in theory) will be back to 40 rounds.<<