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Milwaukee selected Patchogue-Medford pitcher Josh Knoth with the 33rd overall pick Sunday night in the 2023 MLB draft.
Because of how high he was drafted, the 17-year-old right-hander’s “slot value” for a professional contract sits at over $2.5 million.
Knoth — a two-time winner of the Carl Yastrzemski Award as Suffolk County’s most outstanding player — has previously committed to play college ball at Ole Miss. But the prospect of signing a lucrative contract makes it likely Knoth will suit up to play minor league baseball before he turns 18 in August.
In spite of having a fastball in the high 90s and being cited on MLB.com for having the best breaking ball among all pitchers eligible for the draft, Knoth had been projected by MLB.com to be selected at No. 98 on the draft board.
The moment he was drafted was captured during a draft party in Medford.
This spring, Knoth was virtually unhittable, recording 109 strikeouts over 41 innings and allowing just five hits (all singles) and one run. The 6-foot-1 hurler threw a perfect game with 19 strikeouts. As a junior in 2022, he also tossed a perfect game.
Knoth grew up playing baseball with Patchogue-Medford catcher Bryan Frascogna, whose father Anthony is the longtime Raiders varsity coach. Anthony Frascogna has coached both players in youth league and school ball for over 10 years.
“It was just great to be a part of something so amazing,” Anthony Frascogna said of being with Knoth and his family, teammates and friends when Knoth’s pick was announced. “Just to be on hand for that life-changing event … indescribable, blessed.”
Interestingly, Knoth was taken right after the Mets first pick in the draft. New York selected Colin Houck, a highly regarded shortstop from Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia, with the draft’s 32nd pick.
Fellow Patchogue-Medford alum Marcus Stroman pitches for the Chicago Cubs. Stroman was drafted out of high school by the Washington Nationals in the 18th round of the 2009 MLB draft, but chose to play at Duke. He was later selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of 2012 MLB draft.
Top photo: Josh Knoth (at right) with Patchogue-Medford High School coach Anthony Frascogna. (Source: Anthony Frascogna)
