NEW YORK — The sons of former big leaguers Lenny Dykstra and Charlie Leibrandt were among the players selected Friday during the second day of the Major League Baseball draft. ADVERTISING NEW YORK — The sons of former big leaguers
NEW YORK — The sons of former big leaguers Lenny Dykstra and Charlie Leibrandt were among the players selected Friday during the second day of the Major League Baseball draft.
Luke Dykstra, an infielder at Westlake High School in suburban Los Angeles, was drafted in the seventh round by Atlanta. He’s the second son of the former All-Star outfielder to be drafted; infielder Cutter Dykstra was a second-round pick by Milwaukee in 2008 and is currently in Washington’s system.
“He’s just like his dad,” Braves scouting director Tony DeMacio told MLB.com, referring to Luke Dykstra. “He plays with his hair on fire.”
Florida State left-hander Brandon Leibrandt went in the sixth round to Philadelphia. He was 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA this season, but missed several weeks with a severely bruised left leg.
“The Phillies were a little bit of a surprise,” Leibrandt said in a statement released by Florida State. “I didn’t think they were going to be one of the front-runners, but they called me at the start of the sixth round, we had a good talk and the rest is history.”
Leibrandt got the news while he was with his family, including his father, who won 140 games over 14 major league seasons.
“Out of everyone, I think my mom was the most excited,” Brandon Leibrandt said. “She went a little crazy, so I had to calm her down. But overall, I just couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Seminole State Junior College right-hander Jake Cosart, the brother of Astros starter Jarred Cosart, was a third-round pick by Boston.
“As cool as it would’ve been for him to be an Astro it’s so awesome that he’s part of such a storied org. In Boston,” Jarred Cosart wrote on Twitter. “Congrats JakeCosart.”
Detroit took UCLA catcher Shane Zeile, the nephew of former big leaguer Todd Zeile, in the fifth round. Zeile led the Bruins by hitting .324 with two homers and 28 RBIs.
After having no picks in the first two rounds, Baltimore made eight selections Friday, including Notre Dame right-hander Pat Connaughton, who also started at guard for the Fighting Irish basketball team. After averaging 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds on the court, the 6-foot-5 Connaughton went 3-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 62 innings on the mound for Notre Dame.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to play at a place like Notre Dame and have it pay off,” Connaughton told the school’s website. “When I saw my name, I was surprised and excited all at the same time. I was pumped that it’s an East Coast team and a great organization to learn and develop in.”
The Orioles had forfeited their first two picks after signing free agents Nelson Cruz and Ubaldo Jimenez during the offseason. Their first selection came in the third round with Florida high school lefty Brian Gonzalez, who went 90th overall.
Miami right-hander Javier Salas, who pitched the second perfect game in Hurricanes history this season, went in the 10th round to Milwaukee.
