Minnesota Twins drafts Mustangs center fielder

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Zack Larson was 4 years old the first time he told his parents he was going to be a professional baseball player.

And over the past 14 years, the Lakewood Ranch High center fielder’s dream hasn’t wavered. But, it wasn’t until last year that the former Mustang really began to put stock into his lifelong dream becoming a reality.

“I wanted to be a major league baseball player when I was 4 years old,” Larson said. “But, I started really thinking about it my junior year. I had a lot of friends come up to me and say, “Dude, you’re going to get drafted. Keep working hard.’”

On June 6, Larson’s childhood dream became a reality when the Minnesota Twins drafted him as the 610th overall pick in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft.

Larson was in another room when his parents came running through the door screaming, “Twins!” At that point, Larson also began shouting and joining in on the celebration.

“It means a lot to get drafted,” Larson said.

Larson, who helped lead the Mustangs to the Class 6A state semifinals earlier this month, already signed with the State College of Florida and is in the process of deciding which route he’ll take. He can play next season with SCF and put his name back in the draft again next year.

“I’m not sure, yet, what I’m doing,” Larson said. “I don’t know if I’m going to the Twins or SCF at this point. I have to sit down with my family and talk about things.”

The 6-foot, 2-inch right-hander led Lakewood in a number of categories, including batting average, on-base percentage, RBIs and hits, among others. Larson also generated interest from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Oakland Athletics, the San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros. But, in the end, it was the Twins who fulfilled Larson’s lifelong dream.

“I look forward (to the possibility of) playing for the Twins because I will be getting professional help on everything I do,” Larson said. “It will only make me a better player.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].