OTTAWA- It didn’t take long for Marcus Knecht (Toronto, ON) and the Toronto Blue Jays to come to terms, after the Jays selected the outfielder in the 3rd round (113th overall) of the recent MLB Draft.
Knecht is off to Dunedin, FL and the Jays minor league training facility to participate in a mini camp before being assigned to one of the Jays minor league teams.
“It was an unbelievable feeling,” says Knecht from his family home in Toronto “I was watching the draft with my Dad on the computer and it was a great feeling to see my name pop up on the screen.”
Knecht put his name on many teams scouting lists this spring with an outstanding season at Connors State Junior College. Knecht was an offensive force mashing 23 HR’s and producing 87 RBI’s, solidifying him as a legitimate prospect
Knecht is a former member of the Junior National Team and is quick to point out how his experience as a member of the team helped to further his development.
“ It’s a top notch program, that prepares you to play at the pro level, seeing that kind of pitching prepares you to play in the minor leagues,” added Knecht.
Knecht worked out for the Jays at the Rogers Centre in Toronto before the draft. He knew they were one of the team’s that were interested in him, but it was still a feeling of disbelief when Knecht found out who had drafted him.
“It’s great being selected by my hometown team, said Knecht who followed the Jays as a kid growing up, fondly remembering their World Series victory in 1993.
Knecht was also bombarded with phone calls and text messages in the moments and hours after the news came from people who wanted to offer their congratulations.
“It was crazy, people I didn’t even know were calling or texting me.”
