University of Maine junior second baseman Quinn McDaniel was chosen in the fifth round of the Major League draft on Tuesday by the San Francisco Giants.
The two-time America East first team selection was the 153rd overall selection.
“I’m excited. This is a dream come true,” said the 20-year-old McDaniel. “The Giants were the first organization to talk to me two years ago. The local scout [Ray Callari] stuck to his [instincts], and I’m grateful to him.”
McDaniel said late Monday afternoon that he hadn’t signed a contract yet but was anxious to get going.
He said it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but he expects it to by the end of the week.
The draft slot value for the Giants’ fifth round draft pick is $400,600, so McDaniel’s signing bonus will be around that.
UMaine head coach Nick Derba said McDaniel has what it takes to move up the ladder and get to MLB someday.
“He is a good player, and his off-field habits are second to none,” said Derba. “The players who move up are players who take care of themselves.”
McDaniel said even though he was a second baseman at Maine, he is more than willing to play the outfield or another infield position to increase his value.
McDaniel, who is from Eliot and starred at Marshwood High School in South Berwick, hit .354 for the America East-champion Black Bears this past season, with 16 homers, 45 runs batted in and 77 runs scored. He stole 32 bases in 38 attempts. He had a .513 on-base percentage and .688 slugging percentage. McDaniel also had 14 doubles and a triple.
His 1.45 runs per game were third most in the nation among players at 295 Division I schools.
He drew 60 walks in 53 games and his 1.13 walks per game were also third most in the country. His on-base percentage was 12th. He was tied for 17th in stolen bases and 15th in stolen bases per game (.60).
Defensively, he made 10 errors on 177 chances and turned 20 double plays.
McDaniel attended a camp for draft-eligible college and high school players from June 20-25 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Former UMaine teammate Nick Sinacola, an All-American pitcher, was a former seventh round pick of the Giants and is pitching for the Eugene Emeralds in High-A ball.
“He was like a mentor to me,” McDaniel said.