Coward gets call in draft
CRANBERRY TWP — Last year, the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft left Connor Coward with a feeling of disappointment.
This time, it yielded a day he will never forget.
The 2014 Seneca Valley graduate, who has pitched the last four seasons at Virginia Tech University, was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday in the 26th round (783rd overall).
“I was told by the old coaching staff (at Virginia Tech) that teams had interest in me and I thought I could've been drafted last year,” said Coward. “But it didn't happen for me.”
Which had to make Wednesday a bit sweeter.
“When there's a chance you could be drafted, it's difficult not to sit and stare at the computer screen, but I tried not to do that,” said Coward. “After you get past the first eight or nine rounds, there's not much method to the madness. I was actually up in the attic unpacking my golf clubs for the summer when I got a text from the Cardinals. The 24th round had just started and the text said that they were interested in me and they'd probably take me in the next few rounds.”
Not long after that, Coward saw his name. It's a moment so many players dream of, yet so few get to experience.
“I was in the kitchen with my mom and dad, saw my name and just sat there,” said Coward. “It was quiet and I was content to just let it sink in. It was a pretty good feeling.”
Coward does not know to which team in the St. Louis organization he will be sent.
“Someone from the Cardinals will be contacting me soon,” he said. “That's when we will work out those details, including a contract.”
Coward said he was a bit surprised he was taken by St. Louis.
“Over the last two years, I had been in contact with 15 or 16 Major League teams,” he said. “It wasn't always on the phone. A lot of it was just teams sending me questionnaires. The Cardinals were one of those teams, but I hadn't heard from them since the beginning of my junior year.”
As a junior, Coward led the Hokies in innings pitched (72) and tied for the team lead with five wins. This spring, he was 2-7 with a 5.19 ERA, but those numbers are misleading.
“After eight starts, I had a sub-3.00 ERA,” said Coward. “Then I had a start against Louisville where I went 8 2/3 innings and threw 130 pitches (with 11 strikeouts). After that, I didn't have much left and my ERA went up over five. But my body feels great now.”
Coward finished this season with 76 strikeouts and 33 walks in 78 innings. He throws a 4-seam fastball, curveball, change-up and slider.
“My curveball is my best pitch and I can throw it in any count,” he said. “I've worked on my slider this year and it has become an effective pitch for me. It doesn't move as much as some sliders, it's more of a cutter.”
Coward, a business major, has six credits left to earn his degree.
“It's only two courses, not that rigorous of a schedule,” he said. “I can complete it in the fall. I've come this far (in school) and finishing is my top priority.”
Also drafted on Wednesday:
Slippery Rock University pitcher Alex Pantuso was taken by Oakland in the 31st round. A four-year starter for The Rock, Pantuso totaled 211.2 innings pitched and won 16 games while striking out a school-record 267 batters.
Pantuso was 7-3 with a 5.49 ERA this spring.
Former Butler BlueSox and Kent State University player Pavin Parks was chosen as a third baseman by San Diego in the 24th round.
