UWM’s Varsho has big-league dreams
Catcher could be first-round pick
PHOENIX – Daulton Varsho has been a busy young man in recent days.
The UW-Milwaukee junior catcher has worked out for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs and, yes, his home state Milwaukee Brewers, in preparation for the major-league baseball draft that begins Monday evening.
“I just went out there and did my thing, tried to do my best,” said the Marshfield native. “I think it went well.”
So well that there’s a growing chance that Varsho's name will be called on the first day of the draft, when a total of 75 selections is made in the first two rounds and Competitive Balance Rounds A and B. If not, he is certain to be drafted on Tuesday when rounds 3-10 are conducted.
Considering Varsho’s family background, it’s his destiny to become a pro player. His father, Gary, was a fifth-round pick in 1982 by the Cubs out of UW-Oshkosh and played for four clubs over eight years in the majors. He now scouts for Pittsburgh and can be seen often at Miller Park.
Varsho’s uncle, Dale, manages the Eau Claire Express in the Northwoods League, considered a top summer college circuit. Varsho played for that club the past two years, honing the skills that would make him a star at UWM and strong draft candidate.
Andie, his sister, was a softball star at Purdue, played a year professionally for the Pennsylvania Rebellion and is now head coach of the women's softball team at UWPlatteville.
“My family has helped me so much,” Varsho said. “They still help me with a lot of little things such as minor tweaks with my swing.
“I learned so many things when my dad was coaching (for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) in the majors, just being in the clubhouse. Not a lot of kids get that experience to be around those guys and get all that information. I loved every experience I had.”
After graduating from Marshfield High School in 2014, Varsho didn’t receive much interest from Division I college programs. But UWM coach Scott Doffek saw potential in him, knew of his baseball bloodlines and welcomed him to join the Panthers.
“Coming out of high school, I was kind of small and not a lot of people wanted me,” said Varsho, now 5 foot 10 and 200 pounds. “Scotty wanted me; he knew my background. I can’t thank him enough for taking me on. I’ve learned so much from him and the rest of the staff.”
Varsho, who turns 21 on July 2, blossomed while playing at UWM. The left-handed hitter was named Horizon League player of the year as a sophomore, batting .381 with a .610 slugging percentage, eight home runs, 51 RBI and 141 total bases in 57 games.
Varsho, who started catching in Little League and never tried another position, had another big season as a junior, batting .362 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, .490 OBP, .643 slugging percentage and 46 walks, a school record, with only 39 strikeouts in 54 games.
Now, he waits to see if he’ll be drafted earlier than his dad was 35 years ago, and where the next chapter of his baseball life will take him.
“I’m really excited to start a pro career because it’s always been my goal,” said Varsho, who plans to hang out back home in Marshfield with family and friends during the draft.
“My goal is to be a starting catcher on a winning major-league team. It’s what motivates me. I’m excited to see how things go. It’s the next step in my life and career in baseball.”