Former Greenwich Student Drafted By Minnesota Twins

GREENWICH, CT — Aaron Sabato, a 21-year-old Brunswick School graduate, was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft Wednesday. The Twins welcomed the University of North Carolina first baseman to the team in a tweet Wednesday night, noting they expected Sabato to "fit right in with our squad."

According to mlb.com, Sabato was the 27th pick in the first round, which saw other big names like Spencer Torkelson and Heston Kjerstad picked up by the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles, respectively. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

UNC's baseball department also took to social media Wednesday to congratulate and praise Sabato. He is the 12th Tar Heel drafted in the first round since 2006, according to the university.

"Aaron has got a big heart," Head Coach Mike Fox said in a statement on Twitter. "I think he cares about the right things and he cares about his teammates. I think that's extremely important. I think that's what garners respect. And certainly, as we know, it's because of how he treats people, not how far he hits the ball."

Later that night, Twins Minor League hitting coordinator Donegal Fergus told mlb.com he was "fired up" over the team's selection of Sabato. He also noted Sabato was his first choice after Torkelson, who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick of the draft.

A resident of Rye Brook, N.Y., Sabato was ranked as the No. 41 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Sabato told the Greenwich Time he was aware he could be drafted in the first round as he gathered with family and friends Wednesday night. He also said he has been practicing to play baseball at a professional level for as long as he can remember.