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2018 MLB Draft - New England Recap

June 27, 2018
Bruce Hefflinger
PBR New England Senior Writer

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2018 MLB Draft - New England Recap

There were 31 players from the New England states that were taken in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft.

Grant Lavigne from Bedford High School in New Hampshire was the highest selection going 42nd overall to the Colorado Rockies. Tim Cate, from the University of Connecticut, was next, taken in the second round by the Washington Nationals.

The University of Maine - Orono duo of Jeremy Pena and Christopher Bec were the next players taken from the area, Pena going in the third round to the Houston Astros and Bec in the fifth round to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Boston College and Connecticut both had three players chosen in the draft, with 10 high schoolers and one junior college player among those selected from the New England states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

DRAFT TALK

THEO MCDOWELL
Salisbury School 2018, West Virginia commit, Texas Rangers, Round 14, Pick 419

Where were you when you heard about being drafted and what were your immediate thoughts?
I was at home with my family and close friends and we had been there waiting all three days. I was pacing back and forth just waiting because there was nothing else I could really focus on. On the 6th, my family was all crowded around the TV and computer and I walked into the other room and my house erupted into shouts, laughter, happiness and tears. I’ve never seen my family so happy about something in my life, it was truly a special moment. 

What expectations did you have prior to the draft?
I expected a lot of excitement throughout my family. I expected to head West to Arizona to get my career started and there is nothing quite like seeing both your parents cry when you get your name called.

What teams had been in contact with you before the draft?
Reds, Rockies, Brewers, Tigers, Rangers, Angels

What are your plans now and what all will weigh into the decision of turning pro or not?
As of right now I have a huge decision to make. It’s not very common when someone has to weigh college baseball or turning pro. I’ve been truly blessed my whole life in the game of baseball and I thank God everyday.

If you have already signed, where will you be going to start your pro career?
Surprise Arizona for Rookie Ball and Instructional League till the end of the summer.

________________________________________________________________________________________

HUDSON HASKIN
Avon Old Farms School 2018, Tulane commit, Oakland A’s, Round 39, Pick 1136

Where were you when you heard about being drafted and what were your immediate thoughts?
I was out to eat with my family when I got the call. It was surreal moment and a huge relief. Definitely one of the coolest experiences of my life.

What expectations did you have prior to the draft?
I didn’t really have any expectations going into the draft. I had a number that it was going to take for me to sign and I knew I was going to stick to that. Even though I was anxious, I felt like I had two great options. If a team gave it to me I would go and if not then I would go to Tulane.

What teams had been in contact with you before the draft?
I talked to around 20 teams throughout the process but there were 7 or 8 that were in the mix right before the draft.

What are your plans now and what all will weigh into the decision of turning pro or not?
I will be attending Tulane next year. I am super excited about my opportunity there and what Coach Jewett is building. I know there is a life after baseball and I think going to Tulane will give me the best chance to be successful on and off the field in the future.

________________________________________________________________________________________

DRAFT PICKS

MAINE

JEREMY PENA
Maine-Orono
Round 3, Pick 102, Houston Astros
Status: Signed

CHRISTOPHER BEC
Maine-Orono
Round 3, Pick 146, Toronto Blue Jays

MASSACHUSETTS

CHARLIE MCCONNELL
Northeastern
Round 13, Pick 388, Seattle Mariners

NOAH ZAVOLAS
Harvard
Round 18, Pick 538, Seattle Mariners

JAKE PALOMAKI
Boston College
Round 18, Pick 540, Tampa Bay Rays

SIMON LARSON-ROSENBLUM
Harvard
Round 19, Pick 570, Tampa Bay Rays

DANIEL MARTINEZ
Riverside Community College
Round 21, Pick 623, Oakland A’s

STEVEN HAJJAR
Central Catholic High School 2018
Round 21, Pick 635, Milwaukee Brewers

JACOB STEVENS
Boston College
Round 21, Pick 639, Los Angeles Angels

BRIAN RAPP
Boston College
Round 26, Pick 784, Minnesota Twins

MAX BURT
Northeastern
Round 28, Pick 847, New York Yankees

RUSS OLIVE
UMass Lowell
Round 29, Pick 870, Tampa Bay Rays

DAN METZDORF
Boston College
Round 38, Pick 1147, New York Yankees

NEW HAMPSHIRE

GRANT LAVIGNE
Bedford High School 2018
Round CBA, Pick 42, Colorado Rockies
Status: Signed

RHODE ISLAND

NICK JOHNSON
Rhode Island
Round 21, Pick 618, Chicago White Sox

MICKEY GASPER
Bryant
Round 27, Pick 817, New York Yankees

JACK PETERSON
Bryant
Round 32, Pick 968, Chicago Cubs

REID ANDERSON
Brown
Round 40, Pick 1207, New York Yankees

CONNECTICUT

TIM CATE
Connecticut
Round 2, Pick 65, Washington Nationals
Status: Signed

MICHAEL BURROWS
Waterford High School 2018
Round 11, Pick 324, Pittsburgh Pirates

PJ POULIN
Connecticut
Round 11, Pick 336, Colorado Rockies
Status: Signed

ZACH SUSI
Connecticut
Round 12, Pick 354, Pittsburgh Pirates

THEO MCDOWELL
Salisbury High School 2018
Round 14, Pick 419, Texas Rangers
Status: Signed

DYLAN SMITH
Stafford High School 2018
Round 18, Pick 531, San Diego Padres

SETH PINKERTON
Hartford
Round 20, Pick 604, Minnesota Twins

PATRICK WINKEL
Amity Regional High School 2018
Round 31, Pick 937, New York Yankees

DEAN LOCKERY
Central Connecticut State
Round 32, Pick 954, Pittsburgh Pirates

BRANDON WHITE
Simsbury High School 2018
Round 35, Pick 1043, Oakland A’s

JACK MONTGOMERY
Simsbury High School 2018
Round 38, Pick 1138, Seattle Mariners

HUDSON HASKIN
Avon Old Farms High School 2018, Tulane commit
Round 39, Pick 1163, Oakland A’s
Status: Will attend Tulane

RYAN CUSICK
Avon Old Farms High School 2018
Round 40, Pick 1189, Cincinnati Reds