For Northeastern catcher Dan Milano, the long road to the major leagues starts close to home.
The senior tri-captain was drafted in the 20th round (624th overall) by the Boston Red Sox June 8, and will play for the short season, Single A Lowell Spinners, just 30 miles outside of Boston.
“I’m really excited to say the least. It’s kind of surreal,” the Cumberland, R.I., native said of being part of the organization he has followed through his whole life.
Joining the Boston organization caps off what was an outstanding year for Milano. The right-handed catcher was a force in the Husky lineup and head coach Neil McPhee praised him throughout the year for the leadership he provided to a young Northeastern squad.
Last season, Milano started 44 games and hit .337 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI, both tops on the team. His .645 slugging percentage led the team as well, and his 39 runs scored tied sophomore left fielder Mike Tamsin for the team lead.
He broke former teammate and current Blue Jays minor leaguer Chris Emanuele’s 18 game hitting streak with a bang, hitting a first inning grand slam against Massachusetts in Northeastern’s 17-6 romp in the opening round of the Beanpot April 19.
Despite having his hitting streak end at 19 games the next day, Milano made his presence felt behind the plate, gunning out Georgia State’s Matt Van Horn at second base to give Northeastern a 6-4 win against the Panthers.
In his Husky career, Milano appeared in 156 games (137 starts) and posted a .305-31-106 line. His 31 home runs place him third in Northeastern history behind Chuck Allard (35) and Tim Daley (37).
Prior to the draft, Milano worked out for the Yankees and said the Diamondbacks and Brewers also showed interest in him.
The Spinners started their 2007 season yesterday at home against the Oneonta Tigers, where Milano will be managed by 12-year major league veteran Gary DiSarcina
“[While at Lowell] I just want to get to know the new players and improve in all aspects of the game,” he said.
He is currently second on the Spinner’s depth chart at catcher, behind 2006 draft choice Tyler Weeden, but said he hopes to work his way into the lineup and earn a promotion to Boston’s minor league affiliate in Greenville, S.C., by the end of the summer.
Milano is the 28th Northeastern player to be taken in the MLB entry draft. The Huskies set a school record with four players being selected in a year in 2006, including pitcher Adam Ottavino going 30th overall to the St. Louis Cardinals, along with Emanuele, catcher Matt Morizio (Royals) and pitcher Dave Pellegrine (Angels).
