Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball (MLB)’s 2020 first-year player draft has been shortened to five rounds, from the usual 40 rounds in previous years. The draft, scheduled for June 10 and June 11, assigns amateur baseball players to MLB teams. Even with the new consolidated format, however, several locals from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have a solid chance at being … [Read more...]
Locals well-represented in 2018 MLB Draft
June 20, 2018 By
Becoming a professional baseball player will soon be a reality for a handful of athletes with ties to The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. The 2018 Major League Baseball Draft ran from June 4 to June 6 — whereby four locals had their names called. University of North Florida junior right-hander Frank German, who grew up in Lutz and graduated from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, … [Read more...]
Local pitchers delay pro careers for college
July 19, 2017 By
Two of the area’s top pitchers are postponing their pro careers — for now. Sunlake High School’s Tommy Mace and Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk — both selected in the middle rounds of June’s MLB Draft — have opted to forgo professional baseball contracts, and instead attend in-state Division I programs. Mace, drafted in the 12th round (347th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds, will pitch at … [Read more...]
Locals fare well in 2017 MLB Draft
June 22, 2017 By
Dreams of playing professional baseball are about to come true for several local athletes. The 2017 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft wrapped up on June 14, and several baseball players with ties to The Laker/Lutz News Coverage Area were selected. The first-year player draft is Major League Baseball's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges and … [Read more...]
Area baseball players to watch
March 1, 2017 By
The high school baseball season in Florida has kicked off. Some of the top players — and teams — in the state reside right here in our coverage area. From Steinbrenner and Gaither to Land O’ Lakes High, there’s no shortage of prep baseball talent. Here’s a look at some players to keep an eye on as the season progresses: RHP (right-handed pitcher)/INF (infielder) CJ Van Eyk, Sr., … [Read more...]
Steinbrenner and Gaither claim state titles
June 1, 2016 By
The varsity baseball teams for Steinbrenner and Gaither high schools each completed impressive seasons, with both teams capturing state titles. Steinbrenner took its first baseball state title with a 9-4 win over Oviedo Hagerty in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game on May 21 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. The Warriors (27-5) trailed Hagerty 4-1 … [Read more...]
