14 locals taken on third day of MLB Draft

Nick Grande had quite the month in baseball. The junior shortstop led Stony Brook to the America East championship and into regional play of the NCAA Division I Tournament.

The sweet-swinging infielder also lived the dream of hearing his name called in the 17th round of Wednesday’s amateur draft in Major League Baseball.

Grande of Smithtown, who attended Smithtown West High School, was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 5-11, 170-pounder, had a .342 average with 68 hits, 24 RBIs and 58 runs scored heading into the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m really looking forward to going to play for the Diamondbacks,” he said. “I want to get started right away.  I can’t wait. It’s one step at a time from high school to college and focusing on what’s right in front of me. And now the opportunity of a lifetime is right here. It’s what every little kid dreams about: being a professional baseball player.”

Grande heads a list of 14 locals selected in the three-day draft.

Player, Round, Team, School, Hometown, Position

Kyle Martin, 15th, Orioles, Fordham, Oceanside, Pitcher

Michael Wilson, 16th, Stony Brook, Colonia, N.J., Outfield

Nick Grande, 17th, Diamondbacks, Stony Brook, Smithtown, Shortstop

Ryan Smith, 18th, Angels, Princeton, Garden City, Pitcher

Parker Quinn, 25th, Nationals, Hofstra, Jupiter, Fla. First Base

Tyler Osik, 27th, White Sox, Central Florida, Wading River, First Base

Keven Pimentel, 28th, Rockies, Tampa Univ., Huntington Station, Pitcher

Mitch Calandra, 30th, Braves, Eckerd College, Floral Park, Catcher

Ed Baram, 30th, Athletics, Adelphi, Saddlebrook, N.J., Pitcher

Logan Koester, 32nd, Phillies, Chaminade, Merrick, Pitcher

Andrew Misiaszek, 32nd, Indians, Northeastern, South Side, Pitcher

Sam Kessler, 34th, West Virginia. Mount Sinai, Pitcher

Tom Archer, 39th, White Sox, Lynn Univ., Fort Salonga, Infield

Vito Friscia, 40th, Phillies, Hofstra, Valley Stream, Catcher

By Gregg Sarra

gregg.sarra@newsday.com@Gregg_Sarra

Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.