A month ago, they were teammates on the same field. But now, a trio of Virginia baseball players is scattered across the country, pursuing a common goal.
After being selected in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft earlier this month, Kevin Shrout is in Utah, Tim LaVigne has settled in Massachusetts, and Jon Metzger remains in Charlottesville. All three either have signed or are negotiating contracts that offer them the opportunity to play ball at the professional level.
"I'm excited, but I'm trying not to look too far ahead," LaVigne said from Massachusetts. "I'm here right now and I'm going to try to move up one step at a time."
LaVigne and Shrout, having completed their final seasons at Virginia, have opted to sign with the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers, respectively.
|
Metzger, who still has one season of college eligibility remaining, is currently bargaining the contract extended to him by the Kansas City Royals. Meanwhile Metzger plays with the Waynesboro Generals in the Shenandoah Valley League of Virginia.
"You never know what fourth years [like Metzger] might do," Virginia coach Dennis Womack said. "He might decide to go, and he might decide not to go. It's all negotiations."
Metzger, the first Cavalier chosen in the draft, was selected in the 13th round. The 6-foot-3 left-handed pitcher completed the 2000 season with a record of 3-5 and an ERA of 8.01. The Fairfax Station, Va. native started six games and pitched in relief in five games, striking out 32 batters over 39.1 innings.
LaVigne, chosen in the 32nd round, was the next Cav drafted. The versatile co-captain managed to start all 58 games of the 2000 season at shortstop while pitching in relief 26 times. LaVigne became Virginia's all-time leader in saves (18) and pitching appearances (92), while garnering a 4-0 record and an impressive 3.23 ERA this season.
"I was picked up a little later than I expected," LaVigne said. "But I knew I would sign. It was just a matter of when and with whom."
LaVigne plays his first minor league game this week with the Pittsfield Mets, a short-season A-ball team and New York Mets affiliate in Massachusetts.
The Brewers picked Shrout in the 43rd round. The right hander from Murrysville, Penn. was one of the Cavs' premier hurlers this season, capping off the year with a 4-4 record that included wins over North Carolina, Seton Hall and Florida State, then ranked No. 1 in the country. He sits third on the Virginia career strikeout list with 233 and is tied for seventh with 15 career wins. Shrout held an ERA of 4.16 and kept opposing batters to a .266 batting average over the 2000 season.
After signing with the Brewers, Shrout left for Utah to play his first professional games in a rookie league with the Ogden Raptors.
The three players boosted the total number of Cavaliers to be selected in the Major League Draft to 48 all-time. Of that large number, an impressive 40 played under Womack, who just completed his 20th season at Virginia.
Read More
Malik Washington selected 184th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins
By Xander Tilock | 2 hours agoWashington may have fallen down the draft board, but he will surely make a significant impact at the professional level.
At Virginia wushu, everybody is ‘Kung Fu Fighting’
By Xander Tilock | 3 hours agoA national powerhouse, Virginia wushu is both a top tier athletic club and a welcoming community.
Five Takeaways from Virginia’s Spring Game
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayVirginia football is shaping up to make significant progress in 2024, led by an array of newcomers and promising underclassmen.
