Do UMaine’s Lawerence, Connolly Get Drafted?

MLB Draft time is always a nervous time for college baseball coaches. UMaine's Steve Trimper thinks junior eligible players like Tommy Lawrence and Mike Connolly might get drafted but will the sign a contract and turn pro or return for their senior year?

Here are some of the players to keep an eye on as the MLB draft gets started Thursday evening at 6PM.

Tommy Lawrence is a junior pitcher. He was named America East Conference Pitcher of the Year with an overall 11-3 record and 2.32 ERA.

Mike Connolly is a junior pitcher/catcher. He became the first player ever to be named AE all-conference at two positions. Connolly is on a national watch list for the Olerud Two-Way Player Award.

Mike Fransoso is a senior shortstop. The AE Player of the Year and a third team all-american. He hit .352 with 49 RBI.

University of Southern Maine coach Ed Flaherty thinks his junior outfielder Forrest Chadwick could be drafted. Chadwick hit .380 with 8 homers and 44 RBI for a USM that was national division-three runnerup.

Under new draft rules, a junior player has until July 15th to sign with the team that drafted him.