The Florida Gators were well represented on day two of the MLB Draft. Shortstop Dalton Guthrie, catcher Mike Rivera, and fellow backstop Mark Kolozsvary were each selected on Tuesday.
Guthrie was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round. Guthrie, the son of long time MLB infielder Mark Guthrie, hit .272 for Florida in his junior season. Guthrie is best known for his defense, making multiple appearances on SportsCenter’s Top Ten.
Rivera was selected by the Cleveland Indians at the end of round six. Despite missing significant time with a broken hamate bone, Rivera hit .242 and drove in 24 runs this season. Like Guthrie, Rivera is known for his excellent defense behind the plate. Rivera’s fielding percentage is an incredible .997, having made only one error all season.
Perhaps the biggest surprise from Florida’s draft-eligible players is the seventh round pick of Kolozsvary by the Cincinnati Reds. Kolozsvary spent much of the year as the designated hitter. Kolozsvary played an important role in the Gators lineup while Rivera was injured. Kolozsvary hit .270 with three home run and 26 RBI in 115 at-bats.
Day three of the MLB Draft begins at noon on Wednesday. Catcher JJ Schwarz and outfielder Ryan Larson are expected to be picked.
[…] in the first round while Florida faced Wake Forest in an elimination game on Monday. SS Dalton Guthrie (PHI) and C Mike Rivera (CLE) were taken in round six while C Mark Kolozsvary was …. […]