The Huskies have had a player selected in each full MLB Draft since 2006.
UConn baseball has now had players selected in 18 of the past 19 MLB Drafts, as left-handed pitcher Braden Quinn was picked in the 14th round (No. 434 overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The one exception is the five-round 2020 draft, though if it were a typical length, Nick Krauth, who signed a free-agent deal with Texas, would have been selected.
Quinn was indispensable as a reliever in 2024, making 29 appearances and throwing 44 2⁄3 innings, leading the team in the former and pure relievers in the latter. He recorded 67 strikeouts (13.5 K/9) and limited hitters to just seven extra-base hits. However, he walked 22 hitters (4.4 BB/9), which leaves his control as a place of potential improvement once he joins the professional ranks.
Notably, the New Fairfield native pitched 3 1⁄3 shutout innings against Duke to open the NCAA Tournament to finish the contest, entering with a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth following Ian Cooke’s departure.
There is no recommended signing bonus for picks after the 10th round, but teams can sign these selections to a bonus of up to $150,000 without impacting their bonus pool, while there is no penalty for failing to sign these players. Quinn can return to UConn for one more season, but it’s likely he signs and will begin his professional career.