Day One of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft is now in the books, and two players of interest for the Gators were chosen.
Shortstop Cole Figueroa, who is a draft-eligible sophomore because of his age, was picked by the San Diego Padres in the 6th and final round of the day, the 195th overall pick.
UF signee Kenny Wilson, a speedy center fielder from Sickles High in Tampa, was snatched up in the 2nd round by the Toronto Blue Jays, the 63rd pick overall. It was quite the surprise, considering no one had him projected to go anywhere near that high. Expect Toronto to shell out enough money to sign Wilson. A few other players committed to UF were expected to be drafted within the first three or four rounds, so it was a surprise when their names were still on the board at the end of the day.
Nick Maronde, a left-handed pitcher from Lexington, Ky, and Ryan Weber, a right-hander from Clearwater Central Catholic, may have fallen because of signability concerns (Maronde's advisor is Scott Boras). This makes it more likely that both pitchers end up on campus. Maronde was ranked as the 70th-best prospect by Baseball America, while Weber was ranked as the 27th-best prospect in Florida, the highest ranking for a high school player.
Bishop Moore catcher Ben McMahan, ranked 111th by Baseball America, was also expected to go within the first five to ten rounds, but has not been selected yet.
The draft will continue tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. through its conclusion. Other current Gators who could be drafted are right-hander Patrick Keating, left fielder Avery Barnes and lefty Stephen Locke. Seniors who might also hear their names called are first baseman Brandon McArthur, reliever Josh Edmondson and infielder Jon Townsend.
