Casey Scoggins Selected by Minnesota Twins in MLB Draft
Continues UT streak of 14 straight years with MLB Draft selection.
MINNEAPOLIS – University of Tampa centerfielder Casey Scoggins was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft, making it 14 straight seasons that a Spartan name has been called.
Scoggins, a senior from Port Saint Lucie, Fla., started 107 games in hiss two seasons as a Spartan after transferring from Santa Fe College. The 2015 ABCA/Rawlings National Gold Glove winner hit .349 as a Spartan while committing just one error from his centerfield spot.
The leadoff hitter helped Tampa to the 2015 NCAA Division II national championship and was named to the NCAA Championship Series all-tournament team after being the most outstanding player for the 2015 NCAA South Regional. In 2015, Scoggins hit .350 with one home run, 29 RBI, eight doubles and 15 stolen bases.
In 2016, Scoggins was a second-team all-Sunshine State Conference selection while being a first-team D2CCA All-South Region honoree. He was also named all-region by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). He hit .348 while tying the school record with 10 triples as a senior. His 2016 season also included four home runs, 33 RBI, 10 doubles and 12 stolen bases.
Scoggins becomes the 77th UT player to be drafted and second by the Minnesota Twins. The Twins prior selection of a Tampa product came in 1990 when they chose third baseman Paul Russo in the 17th round.
Head coach Joe Urso has now had a player drafted in 15 of his 16 seasons at the helm. Additionally, Urso has had a total of 58 players selected in the MLB Draft.