After a stellar career at Lakeland High School, Anthony Frobose was drafted by the New York Mets and will forgo college to begin his baseball career.
Anthony Frobose described the excitement of being selected in the MLB draft as "a feeling that I don't think I'll ever be able to feel again." Fortunately for him, once is good enough as the Yorktown Heights native was chosen by the New York Mets in the ninth round.
Frobose, a standout shortstop and pitcher at Lakeland High School, was made the 283rd overall pick on July 14.
The Rutgers University commit intends to forgo college and begin his professional baseball career, and the plan now is for him to continue being a two-way player.
Flanked by his family members, girlfriend and others who played significant roles in his baseball journey, Frobose got a call from the Mets before seeing his name appear on TV.
"I didn't want to just invite anyone, I wanted it to be meaningful," the 17-year-old said. "Being able to know that moment was going to happen with the right people around me, I can't even put it into words. Knowing that all my hard work has really paid off, and that all of the people who have supported me the most were around me to celebrate that together was just incredible for me."
Anthony Frobose's journey to the MLB draft
Frobose soared up draft boards this spring as a senior, hitting .357 for the Hornets and being ranked the No. 14 player in New York by Prep Baseball. Additionally, he was rated as the fourth best shortstop in the state.
He recently was named to lohud's Westchester/Putnam All-Star team. Frobose was the fourth prospect from the Lower Hudson Valley region to be drafted this year, following Nick Becker (Mariners), Michael Lombardi (Royals) and Adonys Guzman (Pirates).
Training at Gap2Gap Sports Performance in Mahopac, Frobose gained strength last winter, boosting his exit and throwing velocities before the high school season. He also worked with Sammy Stafura, a graduate of nearby Walter Panas High School whom he considers a role model. Stafura was taken by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round in 2023.
"In the winter, I was working my hardest, doing things I've never done before, spending countless hours every day in the gym and at the training facility," Frobose said. "We signed with my agents in the winter, and suddenly we started to see scouts at the facility ... I was really forming myself to be a professional player and learning how to train like a professional."
The work paid off in the season, at the plate and on the mound, where he posted a 2.58 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 19 innings.
"He was great for us, a true five-tool player," Lakeland head coach Justin McCarthy said. "He hit for contact and power, is a good runner, and has a ‘plus’ arm. I truly believe he's somebody who sticks out with the bat and can play anywhere in the field if need be. I’m confident his bat will play, even at the minor league level, and that hopefully will allow him to see the field soon."
Frobose credits his high school and local supporters, and he and McCarthy said his success is proof that it’s possible to reach the professional level without leaving the northeast or playing for a private school powerhouse.
Support from Lakeland, past draftee's a role model
He was the first Lakeland baseball player drafted since 2023, when Joe Vetrano was taken by the Dodgers after three seasons at Boston College. Vetrano, Frobose said, is another of his role models.
"Having the atmosphere and community here really makes you feel at home, knowing you have so much support behind you," Frobose said of his school district. "They invest in their players, and they want to give you the best opportunity to play at the next level. Being able to be a part of that list of people getting drafted out of Lakeland is really special, and it shows all other younger kids that you can make it if you go to a public school and work hard."
Despite growing up rooting for the Yankees, Frobose shifted his allegiance to the orange and blue sometime Monday evening.
"Honestly, that whole Yankee thing is behind me," he said. "I'm a Met now. That's where my love is."
George Caratzas covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: MLB Draft: Mets make Lakeland's Anthony Frobose their ninth-round pick
Category: General Sports
