Several baseball players with ties to Arizona were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, including Arizona State University’s Owen McLain and former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tom Candiotti’s son, Michael.
McLain, a left-handed pitcher for ASU, was chosen in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finished his college career with a 3.39 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 153 innings pitched. McLain is known for his fastball that reaches up to 95 mph and his ability to command the strike zone effectively.
Michael Candiotti, a catcher for the University of Southern California, was selected in the seventh round by the Atlanta Braves. Candiotti has shown promise as a power-hitting catcher with a strong arm behind the plate. His father, Tom Candiotti, played for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 1990s and had a successful MLB career as a knuckleball pitcher.
Other Arizona players picked in the draft include University of Arizona pitcher Jake Smith, who was chosen in the sixth round by the New York Yankees, and Chaparral High School outfielder Ryan Johnson, a ninth-round pick by the Seattle Mariners.
The success of these Arizona-tied players in the MLB Draft reflects the strength of the baseball talent in the state. With a strong pipeline of talent coming from local colleges and high schools, Arizona continues to be a hotbed for future professional baseball stars.
Fans of the Arizona sports scene will be eager to follow the careers of McLain, Candiotti, and the other players selected in the draft as they work towards reaching the majors and making an impact on the professional baseball stage.
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