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The 2016 MLB Draft starts Thursday night, and while the Florida Gator baseball team will be preparing for their Super Regional series against FSU this weekend, some players will be waiting to hear their name called.
Several members of the team are projected to go early, including left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk who many project to go first overall. The 21-year-old is 2-3 on the season and has a 3.21 ERA. He started every game he appeared in but often suffered from a lack of run support throughout the season.
Puk talked about the excitement that comes with the prospect of being the first player selected. And while it’s not likely he’ll get drafted by his favorite team growing up, the St. Louis Cardinals, there’s a good chance he’ll play many games against them throughout his career.
WATCH: A.J. Puk talks about tomorrow's MLB draft and facing rival FSU in Super Regionals! https://t.co/1g48TlHqJw pic.twitter.com/8bQ24ppgC8
— Gators Creative (@GatorsCreative) June 8, 2016
Shaun Anderson is likely to get picked as well. He’s 3-0 this season in 33 appearances, all after coming from the bullpen. His ERA of 1.05 leads the team, as does his 13 saves which ties the record for most in school history. Anderson gave his thoughts on being picked in the draft.
Right-handers Dane Dunning and Logan Shore are also expected to be picked early in the draft. Dunning is 5-3 in 34 appearances with a 2.50 ERA while Shore is 11-0 in 16 starts this season with a 2.44 ERA.
Buddy Read is the lone Gator outfielder projected to go early. He has a .255 batting average and a .984 fielding percentage.
The draft is set for 7 p.m. Thursday night, and until then, all the Gators will be focusing on will be beating FSU and going to Omaha to play for the NCAA World Series of Baseball.
