@CanesBaseball Welcomes Talented Recruiting Class
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — After having seven players selected in the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft this past June, the Miami Hurricanes have been bolstered by the addition of a talented incoming class comprised of a mix of freshmen and junior college transfers.
The Hurricanes, coming off their second straight College World Series appearance and 25th in program history, welcome a number of highly regarded players to the team. Included in that group are multiple players selected in the MLB Draft who chose Miami over professional aspirations, and several local products who figure to make an immediate impact with the Hurricanes.
Fall practice begins October 13.
Selected in the 2016 MLB Draft were freshman catcher Michael Amditis and freshman righthanded pitcher / infielder Mason Studstill. Both players were drafted by the Cleveland Indians – Studstill in the 22nd round and Amditis in the 37th round – but opted for the chance to wear orange and green over red and blue.
Two junior college transfers were drafted out of high school in 2014: junior outfielders James Davison and Hunter Tackett. Davison, who arrives at Miami after two seasons at Howard Junior College (Texas), was selected in the 39th round by the Chicago White Sox in 2014. Tackett, who spent his freshman season at Auburn and was one of twelve junior college First-Team All-Americans at Northwest Florida State in 2015, was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 36th round.
Two local products who figure to make an immediate impact at Miami are righthanded pitcher / infielder Gregory Veliz (Key West, Fla.) and right-handed pitcher Evan McKendry (Pembroke Pines, Fla.). Both were highly ranked entering the 2016 MLB Draft, but their strong commitment to the Hurricanes resulted in their arrival on campus this fall.
Other impact players in the class include lefthanded pitcher Jeb Bargfeldt, a transfer from Cisco Junior College who spent his freshman season at Wichita State, catcher Alex Sanchez of Galveston Junior College (Texas) and righthanded pitcher Connor Manous of Munster, Ind. Ray Catena, a lefthanded pitcher from Broward Junior College, shortstop Brandon Gali of Polk Junior College and lefthanded pitcher Anthony Masiello of North Broward Prep also figure to make an early impact.
Other newcomers to the fall roster include Nico Baldor (Tampa, Fla.), Michael Burns (Littleton, Colo.), Kieran Casey (Jupiter, Fla.), Gabriel Lozada (Bradenton, Fla.) and Daniel Rivero (Davie, Fla.), all of whom are key additions to a class that is looking to return to Miami to the College World Series for the third straight year.
