With the 1st pick in the 14th Round (429th overall), the Astros select switch-hitting 5'9" 185lb SS Joe Sclafani, a 22-year old Senior out of Dartmouth, originally from Palm City, Florida.
Sclafani hit .288/.401/.442, starting all 42 of Dartmouth's games in 2012. He struck out just 15 times, and walked 27 times, committing eight errors for a .955 Fld%. He was one of 30 candidates for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
He is also one of 50 finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, honoring the top shortstop in Division I baseball, of which Sclafani was the only Ivy League representative. Sclafani was the lead-off hitter, and leaves Dartmouth - and the Ivy League - with the career lead in triples.
The Dartmouth:
As most of his underclassman teammates get ready to play summer ball in leagues across the country, Sclafani will focus on the next goal of his baseball career — getting drafted by an MLB organization. Being selected as one of the final candidates for the Brooks Wallace Award will help put him on the radar of more major league clubs, according to Sclafani.
Sclafani:
“It’s been my dream since I was a little kid to play professional baseball. I have talked to a few teams, and if I’m fortunate enough, I’m just hoping that I can get drafted.”
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
