Ever since Yogey Perez was a little boy in Cuba, it was his dream to play baseball in the big leagues. Perez is one step closer to making that dream a reality.
On June 6, Perez was selected in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and is in the process of signing with them.
“Without the help and support from my family, I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today,” said the former Sharks outfielder.
Perez was ranked among Baseball America’s Top 500 Prospects. He was the 65th ranked in Florida and led the Sharks in scoring with 46 runs, 27 stolen bases and had .444 batting average in 178 plate appearances.
He was one of four Sharks selected in this year’s draft that took place June 4-6. Although the players were drafted, they have the option to continue playing college baseball by transferring to another school if they don’t sign a professional contract.
Catcher Leo Rojas was the first Shark drafted in the 15th round by the San Francisco Giants. He had 50 RBI, batted .362, belted three home runs, and seven doubles in 185 at bats. Rojas had the opportunity to be drafted in Venezuela when he was 16, but decided to come to Miami Dade to get an education. While at Miami Dade, he said he has learned different skills that he will need for his future career.
“Everything that I have learned, I have to apply it to the next level,” Rojas said. “I will continue to learn new things, but I am ready and excited to play.”
Rojas, a first baseman, is negotiating his contract with the Giants and said he expects to sign with them.
Pitcher, Myles Smith, was selected in the 16th round by the New York Mets. Mets Director of Amateur Scouting Tommy Tanous said he sees Myles “as a future starter” for the team.
“[He’s a] strike thrower who pitches 89-90. Throws cutter and slider, and is [a] very projectionable guy,” said Tanous in an email.
Smith was also ranked in Baseball America’s Top 500 Prospects, and was 46th best prospect in Florida. He had an ERA of 2.781 with 67 strikeouts in 77.2 innings. Smith signed a scholarship with the University of Miami and can still attend there if he does not sign with the Mets.
“I have to make a decision in early July,” Smith said. “I’m going to sit down and think and weigh down both options and make my decision on what I think is the best choice.”
The last Shark to be selected was Dixon Llorens in the 25th round by the 2012 World Series Champions St. Louis Cardinals. Llorens was ranked in Baseball America’s Top 500 prospects, ranked 46 in Florida, and had an ERA of 2.68 and 96 strikeouts in 83.2 innings. Llorens agreed to terms with the Cardinals on his professional contract.
Several players from Miami Dade have decided to transfer to other universities to advance their academic career. Antonio Alvarez will be attending Elon University, Thomas Goodman received a full ride to Anderson University and Michael Heller will be attending High Point University.
