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Bishop Verot alum, Clemson signee Aidan Knaak could be selected high in 2023 MLB Draft

alex martin, fort myers news-press
·4 min read

The tough decision keeps inching closer for Bishop Verot alum and Clemson signee Aidan Knaak.

Will he go pro and become Bishop Verot's first draftee straight from high school since Hudson Boyd and Daniel Vogelbach 12 years ago? Or will he look to carry his momentum at the high school level to one of the country's premier baseball conferences?

Carrying a host of momentum with him come this weekend, those are Knaak's two options as the three-day MLB Draft is set to commence on Sunday in Seattle, the site of this year's All-Star Game.

WHO TO WATCH: Bishop Verot's Aidan Knaak leads local high school, FGCU, FSW prospects for 2023 MLB Draft

Aidan Knaak of the Bishop Verot baseball team closes the 7th inning against Clearwater Central Catholic in the Class 3A, Region 2 quarterfinal at Bishop Verot in Fort Myers on Tuesday, May 6, 2023.
Aidan Knaak of the Bishop Verot baseball team closes the 7th inning against Clearwater Central Catholic in the Class 3A, Region 2 quarterfinal at Bishop Verot in Fort Myers on Tuesday, May 6, 2023.

"I've had numerous phone calls and interviews with a bunch of teams," Knaak said. "Right now, I'm discussing all my options with my mom and dad, just trying to prepare to make a decision after the draft, when the draft happens.

"... I'm in a really good position. I have to be grateful for the position I'm at right now. We've just gotta see what happens now. It's time to wait."

The right-hander didn't have to go to Phoenix for the MLB Combine but opted to do so to challenge himself. He struck out three of the four batters he faced, touching 96 MPH. Knaak had the fourth-fastest pitch at the Combine, according to MLB.com.

Bishop Verot's Aidan Knaak (19) pitches during the Bishop Verot and Community School of Naples baseball game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 at Barron Collier High School in Naples, Fla.
Bishop Verot's Aidan Knaak (19) pitches during the Bishop Verot and Community School of Naples baseball game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 at Barron Collier High School in Naples, Fla.

Bishop Verot baseball coach Casey Scott, who has ties with USA Baseball as its 15U National Team pitching coach, was in Phoenix to watch his right-hander. Just like he's seen for much of the last two seasons, Knaak bet on himself and went to an event he didn't necessarily have to go to, especially when scouts have seen him in plenty of high-leverage games over each of the last two years.

"The discussion that was had when he got the invite to the Combine, was 'Is it necessary? Do you need to go there and do that?'," Scott said. "He was in front of everybody. His starts this year and last year really showed the progression he had. Every time somebody came to watch him, they're there doing their homework and trying to figure out if this is the guy or not for them.

"... I think they were just looking to cross somebody off and then he just kept going. His stock kept rising. It was one of those funny things of, do you want to go out there and get the experience, but do you actually need to go out and perform? Like he has, he bet on himself."

Aidan Knaak, Baseball, Bishop Verot, All Area Spring 2023
Aidan Knaak, Baseball, Bishop Verot, All Area Spring 2023

Knaak is already enrolled in summer classes in South Carolina as he's started his transition to a college athlete. Clemson went 44-19 last season, winning the ACC Tournament title, and was the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament before losing in the regionals.

Whether he ever steps on the field for the Tigers will be determined over the next few days.

MLB.com currently has Knaak ranked as its 193rd-best prospect in the class, which would equate to being selected at the end of the sixth round. That is likely to not be the case, as Knaak owns a first-round grade from multiple big league clubs. If Knaak gets drafted, it very well could be much higher than that.

"That would definitely make my decision a lot tougher," Knaak said. "Teams talk, and things change, so you never really know until draft day happens. I'm kind of just waiting around for that and just gonna see what happens."

Once that waiting game ends upon the conclusion of the draft, Knaak will be one step closer to being able to make a decision. Should a team pull the trigger and draft him early in the first round, it would be a euphoric moment for those involved.

"I never like to really think ahead, I just think about what I'm doing right now," Knaak said. "Definitely whatever happens on that day will be exciting, especially if that happens. First round is fricken awesome, but just have to see what happens at the draft. I just can't think that far and put myself in my situation yet. I'm just playing it by ear."

Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writer Alex Martin on Twitter: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Bishop Verot alum, Clemson signee Aidan Knaak could go high in MLB Draft