Flint Puts Professional Baseball Career On Hold

Tucker Flint OF / LHP / Bishop Hendricken, RI / 2019

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. - Tucker Flint has moved into his new home at the University of Maryland. Big 10 baseball is on the horizon.

But it did not come without consideration for a jump into professional baseball. The 2019 Bishop Hendricken graduate was taken by the New York Mets in the 36th round of the MLB Draft in June.

“In the winter I had meetings and workouts with scouts,” the 6-2 200-pound left-handed hitting outfielder reflected. “My parents and I talked with my advisor about the advantages and disadvantages of professional baseball and college. After high school, I put myself in a good spot.”

But in the numbers game of the MLB Draft, the money did not add up for Flint.

“We had a set number and teams were not able to meet that number,” noted Flint, who listed the amount as in the $800,000-$1M range. “My advisor is a firm believer in college. I’ve been able to hit my whole life and college hitters are usually paid off.”

Still, teams checked in with the fifth-rated 2019 player in New England throughout the draft.

“I had two calls on day two,” Flint said. “They had picks coming up in rounds 5 to 10 and they asked if I had changed my mind. A lot of the main teams that were interested in me had drafted high school guys and they overslot them.”

Thus, less money is available..

“Come day three it was the same thing, I got some calls early,” Flint continued. “Then the Mets called and said they’d drafted me. They said we know you’re probably not going to sign but...”

Though a decision was all but final, Flint was more than happy to be the 1.078th selection in the draft.

“It’s still pretty exciting,” Flint said. “If I never get drafted again, I can say I was drafted at one point in time in my career. It’s nice to know that there was a team out there with the courtesy to take me. All the work paid off and it’s nice to be recognized for that.”