Mets Select Greenwich Native L.J. Mazzilli In MLB Draft

GREENWICH, Conn. -- The New York Mets selected Greenwich native and University of Connecticut infielder L.J. Mazzilli with the 116th overall pick in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft Friday afternoon.

Greenwich native L.J. Mazzilli is a New York Met after being selected in the MLB amateur draft.
Photo Credit: *UConnHuskies.com*

by Eric Gendron

06/07/2013 2:30 p.m.

Mazzilli is the son of Lee Mazzilli, who played 10 seasons with the Mets in the 1970s and '80s. The elder Mazzilli was also a bench coach for the New York Yankees from 2000 to 2003.

L.J. Mazzilli, 22, had been selected in the ninth round of last year's draft by the Minnesota Twins. Mazzilli opted to finish out his college career at UConn, which qualified for the College World Series regionals this year.

Mazzilli had a stellar year for UConn, hitting for a .354 average with six home runs and 51 runs batted in to go with 29 stolen bases in 63 games played.

He also played three straight summers in the Cape Cod League, where many future Major Leaguers play during their college years.

If the Mets sign Mazzilli to a contract, he will likely begin his professional career with the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York-Penn League.

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