'Stangs alum Maverick Handley chosen by AL's Orioles

On Tuesday and in a demanding, advanced mathematics class at Stanford that he said “is by no means easy,” Maverick Handley, an excellent student since he first entered a class room, found himself not paying attention to the lecture.

The 21-year-old former Mullen Mustang did have good reason, though – instead of taking notes, he was glued online through his laptop to the second day of the 2019 Major League baseball Draft.

And good thing as the Baltimore Orioles grabbed the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder with the first pick of the sixth round, the 168^th player chosen.

Not that the class wasn’t interesting, but … the Stanford catcher couldn’t be happier even with the Orioles taking Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman with the first overall [ick of the draft.

“I know, it was kind of interesting,” Handley said on Tuesday. “It was cool to see that happen.”

The O’s have a new scouting department, Handley said, “and it sounded like they knew what they were doing, going for the best player on the board even if he was another catching prospect.”

And Handley was frank –he said he’s “pretty sure I’ll go (and sign), which means I’ll be playing my last game at Stanford.”

While Handley said he has no idea of the time frame it will take to get signed by Baltimore, it is what he wants to do. No doubt.

 

“It’s my dream,” he said. “It’s an awesome organization and I want to play for them.”

Plus, Handley said it’s also thrilling that he’s “going in with a buddy of mine,” Stanford outfielder Kyle Stowers, the 71^st pick of the draft. They are two of the Cardinal players chosen on the day.

Handley helped the Cardinal to this weekend’s Super Regional in Mississippi by batting .293 with five home runs, including two on Monday against Fresno State. His long list of numbers and accolades include Pac-12 Conference All-Academic first team; conference player of the week; most outstanding player of the Stanford Regional; and being the team’s regular catcher since his freshman season.

As a Mustang graduate in 2016, he was All-Colorado, team captain and hit .461 with six homers and 33 runs batted in as a senior. He also was The Denver Athletic Club’s male student-athlete of the year.

Majoring in biomechanical engineering on the way to becoming an orthopedic surgeon, Handley said he’s prepared to return to pursue his medical career in the off-season from baseball or when he’s done playing, but being selected by the Orioles has him on the threshold of realizing his childhood dream.

“This is my chance to do it,” he said.

Handley also was one of only two Coloradans selected through the first two days. Regis Jesuit alumnus Quin Cotton (Grand Canyon) was chosen in the eighth round by Cincinnati.