Three locals selected late in MLB Draft

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Three local players were selected Wednesday in the later rounds of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Former McHenry pitcher Pat Schatz, former Crystal Lake Central pitcher Connor Sadzeck and former Cary-Grove shortstop Chris Waylock were picked. Schatz was a 31st-round choice of the White Sox, Waylock went in the 43rd round to Cleveland and Sadzeck went in the 44th round to Pittsburgh.

Schatz, a right-handed pitcher who underwent Tommy John surgery in high school, recently finished his career at the University of Iowa, where he worked mainly as a reliever. He appeared in 23 games and had a 6.68 ERA and 1-0 record. His best season with the Hawkeyes was last year when he was 2-2 with a 4.96 ERA.

Sadzeck signed with Oklahoma for a scholarship that will cover most of his school expenses and now faces a decision. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound right-hander hits 90 mph on the speed gun and was 6-4 with a 3.56 ERA this season. He struck out 89 batters and walked 26 in 521⁄3 innings this season.

“I was talking to the Pirates quite a bit about my status,” Sadzeck said. “I was projected to go higher, but my sign-ability was an issue.”

Most players with scholarship offers will ask teams to meet the cost of what money they would receive from colleges. For a late-round pick, teams might not be willing to pay that kind of bonus money.

Waylock helped C-G to three consecutive Fox Valley Conference Valley Division titles as the Trojans’ shortstop. He hit .360 with 19 RBIs, four home runs and 20 stolen bases this season. Waylock struck out only eight times combined in his junior and senior seasons.

“The two teams who were interested in me the most were Cleveland and Pittsburgh,” Waylock said. “I have to sit down and enjoy a couple days and see what [the Indians] have.”

Waylock signed with Iowa Western Community College, which won the NJCAA World Series last weekend.