NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Just a few weeks before the 2020 MLB Draft, a pair of Notre Dame juniors were named prospects with some of the best tools available by Major League Baseball Scouts via Baseball America. Niko Kavadas was ranked third amongst college players with the best power and Joe Boyle was ranked fourth amongst college players with the best fastball in the upcoming amateur draft.
Although the season was shortened to just 13 games, Kavadas made his power presence known in a big way. He led the Irish and tied for the ACC lead with seven home runs on the year. Four of the home runs came during the three-game sweep of Presbyterian, including his first career multi-home run game in the 13-5 win to open the series on Feb. 28. During the 2019 season Kavadas led the Irish with 12 home runs on the year, the most since Eric Jagielo hit 13 back in 2013.
Boyle’s fastball was a weapon for the Irish out of the bullpen and he got off to a fast start during the 2020 season. He struck out the final two batters to earn the save in the season-opening 4-2 win over UAB on February 14. Two days later, Boyle struck out the side in the ninth to clinch the series over the Blazers. His first eight outs of the 2020 season came via the strikeout and he tallied 17 on the year in just 8.1 innings pitched. During his sophomore campaign in 2019, Boyle collected 39 strikeouts over 25.2 innings pitched.
The 2020 MLB Draft is slated for June 10-11 and will be shortened to just five rounds. Round 1 will be broadcast on ESPN and MLB Network starting at 7 p.m. ET on June 10 and then rounds 2-5 will start at 5 p.m. ET on June 11 and will be aired on ESPN2 and MLB Network.
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