Things have been looking bright for new Virginia Cavaliers skipper Chris Pollard, and the MLB Draft was another major positive step for the program. Seven Wahoos were selected, UVA’s highest total since 2015, and their highest ever in the first 20 rounds. (The draft was condensed from 40 rounds to 20 rounds in 2021.)
2B Henry Godbout was selected 75th overall by the Boston Red Sox, marking the fourth time in five years that a Virginia player was taken on Day 1. A true Charlottesville to Boston pipeline
has emerged, as the Red Sox recently selected LHP Connelly Early in 2023 and C Kyle Teel in 2024. (Teel was traded to the Chicago White Sox last offseason.)
South Florida native Chris Arroyo has the opportunity to return to the Miami area, as he was selected by the Marlins in the fifth round. Arroyo was a two-way player throughout his college career, but unsurprisingly, the Marlins are most interested in his power bat, and rumor has it that they may try to utilize his strong arm in the corner outfield.
A pair of Virginia relievers are off to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization: Jack O’Connor in the eight round and Matt Lanzendorfer in the tenth. Additionally, RHP Ryan Osinski was taken by the Yankees in the seventeenth round.
Fan favorite and Friday night starter Jay Woolfolk will embark on his next chapter as a member of the Atlanta Braves organization, a twelfth round pick. The front office is excited about the athleticism Woolfolk brings to the table and it will be interesting to see how they tinker with his arsenal. The obvious hope is that he can stay in the rotation long-term.
3B Luke Hanson was a bit of a surprise pick by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round. The slot value for the 445th overall pick is $150,000 so there is a good chance he signs. Keep in mind that unlike other sports, entry level contracts in baseball are completely negotiable.
In addition to UVA boasting a record-breaking number of players drafted, it appears that they will retain a vast majority of their high school commits as well. SS Nick Becker was selected by the Seattle Mariners at 57th overall, which yields a slot value of over $1.5 million. Even if Becker ultimately signs, the entire rest of the class, including SS/RHP Jayden Stroman, and RHP’s Ryan Paone and Noah Yoder are expected to arrive on Grounds for fall camp.
Of note, recent UVA commit Ryan Ure, a left-hander from Oklahoma State that has cranked has fastball up to 103 mph, has signed with the Kansas City Royals as an undrafted free agent. Either way, the 2026 season could not come fast enough.
More from streakingthelawn.com:
- AP College Football Poll: The greatest programs of all-time, and also Virginia
- Rio 2016 Olympics: How to watch, event schedule, and streaming info for all UVA athletes at the Games
- Countdown to Virginia Football: #33 Olamide Zaccheaus
- 2016 Olympic Games: Hoos going to Rio?
- Virginia football team FINALLY gets to put on V-Sabres as training camp approaches
- Report: Virginia Basketball traveling to California on Dec. 21
- Virginia Football: Is Matt Johns leading the race to be the Hoos’ starting quarterback?
