More Agile Cardona Headed To UMass Lowell

HAMDEN, Ct. - “I was overweight and kind of lazy.”

That used to be the case. Now Maico Cardona is a Division I college commit to Massachusetts Lowell.

“It started last summer, my first summer with Baseball U, my 16U year,” Cardona reflected about his relationship with UMass Lowell. “They saw some potential but I wasn’t on their radar. My coach in the offseason said you have the talent but …”

There was a matter of getting in shape.

“I did some research, started to eat well and went to the gym,” Cardona related. “I dropped 10 pounds the first month and 15 the second.”

Once 240 pounds, Cardona is now weighing in between 195 and 200 on his 6-2 frame.

“I was more agile in the high school season and the bat tool was working better,” explained the 15th-rated 2023 third baseman in New England. “Once the summer started I received a text from (head) coach (Ken) Herring. He saw me a couple more times and I ended up going through the whole process quickly. I took a visit in August, they offered and that was it. But it was a long process leading up to it with the frustration with my body.”

The “new” Cardona is excited about where his future lies as senior year of high school at Hamden enters month two.

“I didn’t want to be stuck just playing first base in college,” Cardona admitted. “I never had much range but now that I’m losing weight, it's crazy my ability.”

UMass-Lowell liked what they saw in Cardona this year.

“The main thing they stressed to me was how I have quality at-bats and hit for average,” the 47th-rated senior position player in Connecticut pointed out. “Then there’s the work ethic with the whole thing about dropping weight.”

Central Connecticut, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart were others that showed an interest, but according to Cardona it was UMass Lowell that “took the initiative” and now the 17-year-old is a college commit with the River Hawks.

“I like how the entire program is set up with tutors and mandatory study hall with people to help out with things like that,” explained Cardona. “That’s a big part of why I decided to go there. I’m going to an up-and-coming program that made it to the conference championship game last year. The coach is old school, he tells what it is, and I like that.”

A projected corner infielder at the next level, Cardona is excited to be headed to college to play baseball.

“At the age of 12 or 13 I started to separate myself from some of the other kids and my goal was the SEC or big time,” the 195th-ranked 2023 in New England said. “Once I got to high school I became more realistic and the goal was Division I. But at the end of the day, I want to go and get an education.”

A 3.1 student at Hamden High School planning to major in physical therapy at UMass Lowell did not think about college baseball being part of his future until becoming a teenager.

“In 2020 I started going to more PBRs and posting video,” Cardona noted. “It was frustrating at first hearing no buzz, but that pushed me to keep working. When the first real call came in the fall of 2021 that pushed me to work  even harder.”

Cardona believes he can make an impact at the America East Conference school located 21/2 hours from home.

“For me personally, I take a lot of pride in my defense, my arm and glove work,” Cardona said. “I can also bring the whole power side of my game. My goal is to drive the gaps.”

Born and raised in Connecticut, Cardona is thrilled to have the opportunity to take his game to the next level.

“This summer I played against some rough competition,” Cardona said. “Once I made my college decision I hit a lot better. Everything was a lot better. Everyone was proud of me. My dad played Division II in Puerto Reico so college sports is kind of a legacy thing for me. It’s amazing.”

From here, the goal is straightforward.

“I’m hoping to make an impact, get pro exposure and then hope to one day get drafted,” Cardona concluded.