Three Trinity Preparatory Saints baseball players were selected in the Major League Baseball draft on June 6, 2018. Ryan Olenek '15, Austin Hale '14, and Slade Cecconi '18 join Max Moroff '12 (drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 16th round in 2012) and Billy Cooke '14 as players drafted from the program.
Ryan Olenek, a junior at Ole Miss, was drafted in the 17th round by the San Francisco Giants. Ryan just finished his most successful year at Ole Miss, batting .361, having a 23-game hit streak, and being named 1st Team All-SEC. As a Saint, he was a very dynamic and versatile player as he played SS, CF, and pitcher during his career. Ryan is a junior, so he can sign with the Giants or decide to go back for his senior year at Ole Miss.
Austin Hale, a senior at Stetson, was drafted in the 28th round by the Minnesota Twins. Austin is a tremendous catcher who helped lead the Hatters to an AUN Conference tournament championship, NCAA regional championship, and a NCAA super regional against UNC. The trip to the NCAA super regional is the first time the Hatters have advanced this far in the college baseball tournament. While at Trinity Prep Austin was a mainstay behind the plate and batted in the middle of the order. He thrived at controlling the running game with his strong arm. The Saints made it to the regional finals his senior year at Trinity Prep. Austin graduated from Stetson this spring and will ink a contract with the Twins upon the end of his current season.
Slade Cecconi, a 2018 graduate of Trinity Prep, was drafted in the 38th round by the Baltimore Orioles. Slade had a great career at Trinity Prep, helping lead the Saints on the mound and in the field during his tenure. While Slade was drafted as a pitcher, he led the Saints at the plate this year batting .388 and leading the team in home runs with 6. During his time as a Saint he pitched innumerable big innings for the program, starting his 7th grade year. Last summer Slade was named a Perfect Game All-American, as well as an Under Armour All-American. In his 9th grade year Slade committed to the University of Miami, and this past fall he signed a letter of intent to play. Slade said that he is very honored and thankful to be drafted by the Orioles, however, he will be attending the University of Miami in the fall.
"What a special day for Trinity Prep, the Saints baseball program, these young men, and their families. You start playing baseball at a young age with dreams of being drafted and to have the opportunity to play in the MLB. These players will always be a part of an elite group of baseball players that will be able to say that they were drafted. I had the opportunity to coach Ryan and Slade directly, and I was able to be a part of Austin's early Trinity Prep baseball career during my first stint as an assistant varsity coach while he was on the middle school team. All three of these young men are very good baseball players but what makes me the most proud is that they are amazing people/young men. I am excited for all three, and no matter what decisions they make, I am very proud of them. Today will be a day that I will never forget. It is very difficult to get drafted, and to have three players from our program is very special. It's a great day to be a SAINT!" - Coach Berryhill