Major League dreams

Posted at: 06/22/2012 5:14 PM | Updated at: 06/22/2012 6:29 PM
By: Robin De Wind | WHEC.com

 Most high school seniors are anticipating a summer of fun before college, but two local baseball players are looking forward to their professional careers.

It’s a dream come true to say the least for two former high school competitors who have been drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Pittsford’s Grant Heyman was picked in the 11^th round and East Rochester’s Trey Pascazi was selected in the 23^rd round. Besides their talent and the coincidence of being selected to the same professional team, the pair share a common bond with former professional baseball player and now instructor Matt Dryer who helped both players get connected with professional scouts. 

Trey heads to Florida on Monday to join the Blue Jays organization. Grant decides Friday night if he will sign or pursue a full ride to the University of Miami. Both are thrilled at the opportunity 

Grant Heyman, drafted 11th round, said, “I think it's good for Rochester because for so many years has been under looked for its talent and to get two players drafted by the same organization I think puts a microscope over Rochester a little bit so hopefully other players get drafted in the future.” 

Trey Pascazi, drafted 23^rd round, said, “This area has a variety of talent, extremely a lot of talent here a lot of teams want to look down south they say they play year round all that stuff but when they come up here they realize since we play other sports we're more athletic we have fresher arms than the kinds down south that play so much.”

In the past four years, 11 players have been drafted from the area. Nine signed contracts. Dryer says special instruction, more indoor facilities in the area and players traveling out to state tournaments where they can showcase their talents is leading to local players getting seen by scouts.

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