Sunday night, Major League Baseball kicked off their annual player draft. However, it would be Monday afternoon that two Virginia Cavaliers would hear their name called.
ANDREW ABBOTT (SP): 53RD OVERALL BY THE CINCINNATI REDS
The Reds have selected LHP Andrew Abbott from the University of Virginia with the 53rd pick in the 2021 #MLBDraft! pic.twitter.com/9ckOcalJv0
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 12, 2021
Left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott was the first UVA alum to be selected draft weekend, as he was taken in the second round (53rd overall) by the Cincinnati Reds. While Abbott was a reliable presence for much of his time in Charlottesville, his draft stock skyrocketed over the course of his senior season. This past year, Abbott went 9-6 with a 2.87 ERA in 106 innings (doubling his previous career-high). Perhaps the most memorable performance from the left hander came on May 15th in which he threw seven innings of a combined no-hitter, striking out 16 batters.
ZACK GELOF (3B): 60TH OVERALL BY THE OAKLAND ATHLETICS
We got him.#MLBDraft | @ZackG_11 pic.twitter.com/SIWLAf4zmD
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 12, 2021
Cavalier fans did not have to wait long to hear another Wahoo come off the draft board, as 3B Zack Gelof was selected just seven picks later (60th overall) by the Oakland Athletics. Gelof was a consistent threat for the Cavalier offense, sporting a career .316 batting average. Saving the best for last, Gelof led Virginia in hits, runs, doubles, and tied for the team-lead in home runs.
GRIFF MCGARRY (SP): 145TH OVERALL BY THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Griff McGarry is the ????? Cavalier selected in the first ? rounds! #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/Hksiaj3X9G
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) July 12, 2021
The Cavalier right-hander became the third player, and second member of the pitching staff, to be selected this draft weekend after being selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round. After struggling mightily to open his 2021 campaign, McGarry impressed during Virginia’s postseason run. In 17.2 innings, McGarry notched 26 strikeouts, including an outstanding performance against Mississippi State in which he did not allow any hits.
MIKE VASIL (SP): 232RD OVERALL BY THE NEW YORK METS
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While the Virginia team is losing some of their greatest competitors from the past season, the future of Brian O’Connor’s program is in great hands. The Virginia Cavaliers are fresh off a storybook postseason run, that brought them all the way to the College World Series in Omaha.
Rounds 2-10 of the MLB Draft will continue Monday afternoon. The draft will conclude Tuesday afternoon with the selections from rounds 11-20. This article will be updated if any additional UVA Players are selected, so stay tuned to WUVA’s social media channels.
