The 2016 MLB Draft finished up yesterday and the Virginia Tech Hokies, despite a very disappointing season, did have two players that were selected in it.
The first was center fielder Saige Jenco who was taken with the 25th pick of the 24th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers which is the 731st overall pick after being taken 801st overall last year. Pitcher Aaron McGarity was selected with the 12th pick in the 34th round by the Boston Red Sox to give Virginia Tech their second drafted player of the 2016 MLB Draft.
One difference between the MLB Draft and other major drafts, including the NFL and NBA Drafts, is that both players can return to Virginia Tech if they choose to since they are both not seniors and neither have to formally declare to be eligible to be drafted. Mark Berman of the Roanoke Times had some insight yesterday on whether Jenco and McGarity would return to Virginia Tech or not.
https://twitter.com/BermanRoanoke/status/741791686347657216
Jenco would be a big loss for the Hokies as he would be the top returner if he changed his mind and decided to come back. Jenco is an excellent leadoff hitter and table setter for a lineup that has the potential to take a big next step after showing some young promise in the middle of the order this past season.
However, Jenco doesn't seem to have to much left to prove or too much that he can do to really improve his draft stock and may not want to risk getting injured and potentially costing himself some money down the road.
Meanwhile, McGarity was injured most of this past season and returning to Blacksburg makes a lot of sense as he will most likely assume the closer role that he showed plenty of promise with in 2015. Of course, a good enough offer could lead to McGarity's departure but given that he is a collegiate junior selected in the 34th round, don't expect that to be the case.
Congrats to Saige Jenco and Aaron McGarity on being drafted as they now begin the process of deciding whether to go pro or return to Virginia Tech for one final season.
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