MCCC’s Peroni drafted by Nationals in 14th round
The 2017 MLB Draft was just over one-third of the way through, when the Mercer County Community College name was called for a second time.
Vikings catcher Anthony Peroni was taken by the Washington Nationals in the 14th round Wednesday, one day after pitcher Denny Brady was grabbed by the Angels. Peroni also became the second Steinert player via MCCC to be drafted in the past seven years, as James Pugliese was taken by the Cubs in 2011 and is now pitching for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies.
“I had an idea about it,” Peroni said. “I was talking to the Nationals pretty frequently a couple days before. They called me this morning and told me they were gonna take me in the 11th round, but that didn’t happen. I ended up going in the 14th, it was really exciting.”
He said going three rounds later than he was projected was hardly a disappointment, considering there are 40 rounds in the draft.
“It’s all the same,” Peroni said. “I’m just happy I went as high as I did. I was a little shocked at first and my family was shocked. We were very happy. It’s one of the best things as a player you could ever have.”
Peroni, who was the 433rd player chosen, put up massive numbers in leading the Vikings to the NJCAA Division II World Series championship game. He hit .401 with 75 hits, 15 home runs (tied for 10th nationally), 24 doubles and 57 RBI, and was a standout defensively. He earned Region 19 Player of the Year and was MVP of the Region 19 Tournament.
“We are very proud of Anthony and his accomplishments, and being drafted by an excellent organization in the Washington Nationals,” MCCC coach Kevin Kerins said. “The Nationals are getting a tremendous person, baseball player and a leader. This past season it was Anthony’s team — he was our leader and the bigger the game the better he played.”
With a full ride to the University of Delaware already secured, Peroni now has options. He is asking the Nationals for $100,000 and to pay for him to complete his schooling whenever his career ends. He has not secured an agent, as his family and “people I know from around here who have been through this before” are serving as advisors.
Peroni admits this would be tough to turn down considering where he was taken, and was hoping to hear back from Washington Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores