Former Cougar player selected in MLB Draft

Former Barton Community College baseball player Federico Castagnini was chosen Saturday by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft.  Selected as the 909th pick in the 30th round, Castagnini recently completed his junior year at Creighton University.

In Castagnini's sophomore year at Barton, he received honorable mention All-American status in NJCAA Division I Baseball.  The national award added to Castagnini's post season accolades as he also received first team All-Region VI and conference honors as a KJCCC All-Jayhawk West selection.  During his sophomore season, Castagnini led the 2012 Cougars with 6 homeruns, 16 doubles, and drove home 67 runs.  The shortstop from Verona, Italy, batted .361 on the season getting 75 hits with a .563 slugging percentage.  Signing with Creighton University, Castagnini was also 12-of-12 in stolen bases, scored 61 runs, and finished with four triples.

Moving to play third base at Creighton, Castagnini made an impact in his first season with the Blue Jays.   Finishing fourth on the team batting .320 and ranking second in the NCAA I sacrifices, Castagnini was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week and earned All-MVC Honorable Mention honors.

Castagnini is currently playing summer ball in the Northwoods League for the Green Bay Bullfrogs.