MLB Draft Day 2: UM’s Chris McMahon and Freddy Zamora and FIU’s Logan Allen selected

After a restless Wednesday in which he didn’t get selected and finally fell asleep at 3:30 a.m., new draftee Chris McMahon told the Miami Herald on Thursday that he’s signing a pro contract with the Colorado Rockies, ending his Miami Hurricanes career.

McMahon, who was brilliant on the mound as a junior right-hander this past season (3-0, 1.05 ERA), was ranked 30th in the 2020 MLB Draft by Baseball America.

However, he was not drafted in any of Wednesday’s 37 selections and finally went to Colorado at 46.

“I was pretty angry,” McMahon said of his state of mind on Wednesday. “I had a bad feeling in my stomach. I felt I deserved to get drafted in the first round. I left everything out there on the field for Team USA and Miami. The [coronavirus pandemic that shortened the 2020 college season] took away some more spotlight from me.

“But God has a plan for me. I’m excited.”

Asked if he planned to turn pro — the signing bonus for his slot is $1.6 million — McMahon was clear.

“I’m going to sign that piece of paper,” he said.

If he eventually reaches the majors, McMahon said he won’t be intimidated by Colorado’s stadium, Coors Field, where home runs sail out of the park with regularity due to the high altitude.

“Everyone knows that is a tough park for pitchers,” McMahon said. “But what I’ve learned the past three years [at UM] is to compete, make adjustments and get outs.”

McMahon was the first of several players from Dade or Broward schools selected on Thursday as the five-round draft concluded.

Canes shortstop Freddy Zamora and FIU lefty Logan Allen, for example, were both selected in the second round.

Zamora, who was suspended in February for a violation of team rules and then missed the entire season due to a knee injury, was picked 53rd, by the Milwaukee Brewers. The slot bonus for that pick is $1.3 million.

“I’m concerned about the intangibles,” MLB Network’s Dan O’Dowd said of Zamora. “He can be as good as he wants, but it is a question mark.”

MLB Network’s Jonathan Mayo said Zamora can “flat out” play, especially defensively.

“There aren’t many college shortstops who can defend like he can — plus arm, good actions,” Mayo said. “He has a contact-oriented approach [to hitting]. If his bat comes along, the [Brewers] may get an everyday, defensive-minded shortstop.

“At the very least, they got a solid utility guy who can really pick it at short.”

Allen, one of the best control pitchers in the draft, was picked by the Cleveland Indians at No. 56. The slot bonus for that pick is $1.2 million.

“He is the quintessential, advanced college lefty,” Mayo said. “He could move quickly through a system.”

Here’s a look at other players with local ties who were drafted on Thursday:

▪ Monsignor Pace shortstop Sammy Infante, a Canes recruit, was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round, slot 71. He could end up at third base in the pros.

The slot bonus for that selection is $884,000, but Infante told the Herald he agreed to terms for $300,000 more than that sum.

▪ Stoneman Douglas third baseman Coby Mayo, a Florida Gators recruit, was picked in the fourth round by the Baltimore Orioles. He has big-time power in his bat and his arm.

Mayo told the Herald he will sign with Baltimore and pass on the Gators.

“I got a call in the middle of the draft, and [the Orioles] told me they were going to make me a deal that was beyond ridiculous,” Mayo said. “I couldn’t turn it down.

“The moment I got drafted was more than I can even put into words.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Several top Dade/Broward prep stars who were ranked among the draft’s top-150 players did not get selected, likely because their bonus demands were not met by prospective teams.

That list includes Westminster Christian right-hander Victor Mederos; American Heritage center fielder Enrique Bradfield; Miami Christian right-hander Alejandro Rosario; Braddock shortstop Yohandy Morales; Cardinal Gibbons lefty Timmy Manning; and Florida Christian catcher Carlos Perez.

All of those players will now head to college: Mederos, Rosario, Morales and Perez to UM; Bradfield to Vanderbilt and Manning to Florida. It would not be terribly surprising if Morales wins Miami’s shortstop job as a freshman. Mederos and Rosario could end up in the rotation right away.

▪ Canes first baseman Alex Toral, also ranked as top-150 prospect, is expected to return to Miami after going undrafted under similar circumstances.

▪ Two Florida State players were drafted: right-hander C.J. Eyk (second round, Toronto Blue Jays) and lefty Shane Drohan (fifth round, Boston Red Sox).

▪ The Florida Gators — ranked No. 1 in the nation when the season was stopped — had no players drafted, although they lost their top two recruits, outfielder Zac Veen and Mayo. The Gators could open 2021 as the No. 1 team in the country.