Here is where South Florida baseball players stand as MLB Draft expected in the summer

Now that Major League Baseball has announced that this year’s draft will be held no later than July 20 and will likely include just five rounds, it’s time to figure out what that means to local teams.

The Miami Hurricanes, who started the season ranked No. 1 in the nation and were seen as championship contenders before the campaign was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, would have been hard hit by a normal, 40-round draft. The Canes are loaded with draft-eligible players.

But if the draft is just five rounds — which MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has a right to do following negotiations with the players’ union — then it seems that the two most likely Hurricanes underclassmen to sign are right-handers Slade Cecconi and Chris McMahon.

Alex Toral, Miami’s power-hitting first baseman, has a shot to get drafted this year, too.

The most interesting stay-or-go questions would revolve around third baseman Raymond Gil and shortstop Freddy Zamora.

Gil was hitting just .179 with three homers and 11 RBI in 16 games when the season stopped because of fears of COVID-19. Last year, however, he hit .318 with 14 doubles, 13 homers and 44 RBI in 58 games.

Zamora, who hit .296 with 12 doubles, six homers and 46 RBI in 50 games last year, missed this season because of an injury. He likely would’ve been drafted in the first two rounds before the injury. Now, however, it might be too risky an investment for MLB teams, and Zamora could return to Miami for his senior season.

An MLB scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Miami Herald that Cecconi, McMahon and Toral are the only likely losses to Miami’s team for 2021.

Miami could also lose several highly touted recruits such as right-handers Victor Mederos (Westminster Christian), Alejandro Rosario (Miami Christian) and Carlos Rodriguez (Miami Christian). Shortstop/third baseman Yohandy Morales (Braddock) is another possibility for the draft.

Among the recruits expected to arrive at Miami next season are Monsignor Pace shortstop Samuel Infante; Doral Academy third baseman Luis Espinal; Doral Academy shortstop Dominic Pitelli; and Columbus right-hander Nicholas Regalado.

Over at FIU, there’s a solid chance that everyone on the Panthers roster returns with the exception of ace pitcher Logan Allen, who is expected to get drafted in the first couple of rounds.

In addition, the Panthers’ roster figures to get additional help from incoming recruits such as Miami High center fielder Kendry Noriega and Doral Academy first baseman/left-hander Adrian Figueroa.

FIU has also signed a pair of interesting players from the Lakeland area: shortstop Brendan Vern and right-hander Jose Pena.

Vern hit .344 with eight doubles last year and can be used in relief due to his 92-mph fastball.

Pena this year pitched four one-hit, scoreless innings against Tampa Jesuit, ranked the No. 1 team in the nation by Baseball America.

FIU recruits also include Florida Christian right-hander/third baseman Orlando Hernandez, who is the son of former major-league pitcher “El Duque” Hernandez; and Calvary Christian shortstop/second baseman Dante Girardi, who is the son of Phillies manager Joe Girardi.

In other local baseball news:

▪ Khaya Wright, a 6-3, 215-pound center fielder at South Miami, has already signed with Georgia Tech as a three-star football prospect and outside linebacker. But baseball scouts also like his speed and his excellent arm.

▪ Columbus has numerous other players who have committed to Division I colleges: junior shortstop Ariel Garcia (Miami), senior lefty Jon Gonzalez (Stetson); senior third baseman/right-hander Jon Velasquez (Stetson); senior third baseman/shortstop Jake Marquez (Maine); and junior outfielder/third baseman Kainen Jorge (Wake Forest).

▪ University School shortstop Grant Siegel, a junior, has committed to Tulane.

▪ Riviera Prep freshman left-hander Eric Fernandez, who also plays shortstop, has already committed to Miami.