On Day 2 of MLB draft, D’backs call Tabor’s name
Two-time Herald All-Scholastic Matt Tabor didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called out on the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft.
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected the Milton Academy right-hander with the seventh pick of the third round (82nd overall). The Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts, Tabor, a 6-foot-2, 170-pounder from Westford who throws 96 mph, went 4-0 this season with an ERA of 0.60 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 35 innings.
“They’re getting a kid who works hard and competes hard,” Milton Academy coach Matt Petherick said. “He’s just a great kid who comes from a great family, he’s very well-grounded.”
Tabor has committed to Elon, though the high draft position could make the decision to head south for college a bit more difficult. The approximate slot value for someone picked 82nd is $682,000.
Former Boston Latin standout Packy Naughton of West Roxbury was taken by the Cincinnati Reds with the second pick of the ninth round. The 6-foot-2 left-hander had 63 strikeouts in 57 innings for Virginia Tech in his junior season.
“I think I lost 10 years of my life today, the draft is so unpredictable,” Naughton said jokingly. “But once the phone rang, it was very exciting to able to celebrate with my family.”
Barnstable native Will Toffey, who played his prep ball at Salisbury, was selected by the Oakland A’s in the fourth round (111th overall). A junior third baseman at Vanderbilt, Toffey led the Commodores in batting with a .354 average to go along with 12 home runs and 64 RBI.
Another former Salisbury standout, UConn junior righthander Wills Montgomerie, went to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round (190th overall).
MIT third baseman Austin Filiere was taken by the Chicago Cubs with the final pick of the eighth round (255th overall). Filiere batted .375 with 13 home runs, 42 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
Also, Dartmouth right-hander Beau Sulser went to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round (298th overall).