It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Cavan Cohoes.
First, he delivered a walk-off RBI single against Ramstein that allowed Patch to repeat as DODDS-Europe Division I baseball champions, and was named the tournament’s most valuable player in the process.
Then, he walked across the stage at Patch’s graduation ceremonies and received his high school diploma.
Finally, he was selected by the Seattle Mariners in this year’s Major League Baseball draft.
Cohoes was selected 273rd in the draft by the Mariners, who used their ninth-round pick Tuesday to snag the shortstop, who’s versatile enough to also play the outfield.
In a 50-round draft in which about 1,500 players are drafted, being selected as high as he was surprised Cohoes, especially given the tendency this year for teams to draft pitchers and not position players.
But with close family gathered around him in their Stuttgart, Germany, living room watching the draft on MLB.com, it was a long two-hour wait to hear his name called.
“It’s awesome, it’s something I’ve always wanted to happen, but when it actually happens, it’s a crazy feeling,” Cohoes said. “My Facebook page blew up within two minutes of being picked.”
Whether he ever dons a Mariners uniform is still up in the air, however. Cohoes now has to decide whether to attend college and play for Ohio State or go straight to the Mariners farm system.
If Cohoes decides to go the college route, he wouldn’t be eligible to be drafted again for three years, when any MLB team could grab him up then.
He doesn’t see his choice as a dilemma, though. “It’s just two good options you have to choose between,” said Cohoes
Cohoes said his parents and family members are handling negotiations with the Mariners and they’re letting him make the decision to go to college or go pro. Based on earlier communications, if he were to take the pro route the Mariners would probably offer him at least a $1 million signing bonus and he’d likely end up playing for organization’s rookie team in Arizona.
The Mariners weren’t the only team willing to take a chance on Cohoes. He said several big league clubs showed interest, including the Yankees, Cubs, Tigers, Twins and Rockies.
Cohoes said he’s happy to be drafted by the Mariners, a team he thinks he’ll fit in well with.
“The Mariners like to do small ball, hopefully if I get there, they’ll let me steal … that’s the most fun for me, just stealing,” he said.
He said although he grew up a Dodgers fan, he has no problem switching his allegiance. “I’m definitely pulling for the Mariners now, funny how it changes in a day,” Cohoes said.
But he vowed getting drafted by the pros wouldn’t change him.
“I’m the same, I don’t want to be thought of as being arrogant or cocky,” Cohoes said.
“I’m going to respect what’s happened to me and appreciate it."
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