Titans' Duran wins Gold Glove, Calvo and Garcia picked in MLB Draft
It has been a good couple of weeks for the Eastern Florida State College baseball team as a trio of Titans were recognized for their efforts on the field and two will have the opportunity to play at the next level.
Outfielder Sammy Duran was one of nine players in all of NJCAA Division I baseball to receive the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The freshman played in 48 games in the outfield for the Titans without making an error and had 97 putouts along with six outfield assists.
Last week Titans Ruben Garcia and Blair Calvo heard their names called during the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft.
Garcia, a third baseman/outfielder who even pitched a couple of times for the Titans this season, was chosen in the 14th round by the Baltimore Orioles. The sophomore hit .286 with 10 doubles, driving in 24 and scored 24 runs for the Titans. He also made two appearances in relief this season, striking out five in three shutout innings.
Teammate Blair Calvo, who was named second team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association earlier this week, was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 31st round. Calvo went 6-1 in 10 starts for the Titans, striking out 77 and walking just 19. The right-hander finished with a 0.97 ERA and also had a save.
"I am happy for both Blair and Ruben, you play all your life for a chance to get drafted. They have a foot in the door," Eastern Florida State College baseball coach Jeff Tam said. "It is a good day for the program, it show that we are moving in the right direction."
The Titans finished the season 34-18 and earned their first outright NJCAA District/FCSAA Tournament berth under Tam, finishing second in the Southern Conference.