One day and one round after teammate Nelson Rodriguez was drafted, Fernelys Sanchez was picked.
The similarities between the good friends end there. Whereas Rodriguez was disappointed he wasn’t chosen higher, Sanchez was thrilled with the opportunity the Atlanta Braves gave him, taking him in the 16th round (509th overall) after he missed most of the year with a broken left fibula.
“I was shocked, I was excited, I’m happy it happened,” the gifted outfielder said. “I’m ready to keep doing good things. I’m going to go there and do my best. I’m going to do what I can to keep moving up to the next level.”
Robert Cole
George Washington's Fernelys Sanchez was all smiles on Wednesday after the Atlanta Braves took him in the 16th round of the First-Year Player Draft.
Because of the injury, suffered during the preseason, Sanchez was unable to attend any pre-draft workouts. A few weeks ago, his doctor sent a copy of his last medical report to Major League Baseball, which was distributed to every team,
He has yet to play the field for GW, but he has hit .417 with five RBIs and nine runs scored in five playoff games.
One area scout familiar with Sanchez thinks the injury set him back, as far as the draft is concered.
“If he came back earlier when guys could’ve gotten in to see him, I believe he would’ve went higher,” the scout said.
Sanchez was pleased to be taken where he was by the Braves, a team that has followed him for years. He expects to sign with them and begin his professional career shortly. Before then, however, he will be at MCU Park in Coney Island on Friday, hoping to lead George Washington to its second straight PSAL Class A title.
“Good things are happening this week,” he said. “I feel like I’m ready to play pro ball.”
MAAC Player of the Year Burke goes to Padres in 18th round: Iona College third baseman Chris Burke, the MAAC Player of the Year, was sitting by himself in his room at his parents’ Islip, L.I., home when he saw his name flash across the computer screen.
In the 18th round (555th overall) on Wednesday, the San Diego Padres took the hard-hitting 6-foot-1 senior who contended for conference triple crown honors this season, hitting .351 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI in 53 games played and .409 with five home runs and 26 RBI in 23 MAAC contests.
“I heard my name called, I just up and gave my mom a big hug,” he recalled. “It’s really a dream come true. I can’t describe it.”
Burke figured the odds were good it would be the Padres. He worked out for the organization’s higher-ups at a pre-draft camp and had dialogue with the team leading up to the draft.
“I was happy it was them, I’m really happy with how everything turned out,” said Burke, Iona’s all-time hits leader with 226 and the first Gael to be drafted since James LaSala in 2006. “It’s a great organization. I’m excited to get to camp, improve myself and work my way up.”
Notes: Grand Street Campus shortstop Jose Cuas, a Maryland recruit, was taken by the Blue Jays in the 40th round (1,125), though it is highly unlikely he will sign, coach Melvin Martinez said. The Blue Jays, Martinez said, went to Cuas in the 10th round, but his financial demands were too high. … Former Clinton shortstop Melvin Mercedes, who just finished a JUCO year at College of Central Florida, was drafted by the Oakland A’s in the 16th round (499). … Manhattan College center fielder Anthony Vega was selected in the 30th round (912) by the Baltimore Orioles and LIU pitcher Justin Topa went to the Cincinnati Reds in the 33rd round (1,012). … Former Poly Prep center fielder Kevin Heller of Amherst College was taken by the Boston Red Sox in the 40th round (1,231).
zbraziller@nypost.com
Atlanta Braves, Fernelys Sanchez, Nelson Rodriguez, Chris Burke, George Washington, Padres, San Diego Padres, Major League Baseball, Sanchez, Iona College
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