Recent Lakeland graduate Anthony Frobose is now in rarified air, as he was picked in the Major League Baseball Draft on Monday, July 14, by the New York Mets in the ninth round with the 283rd overall pick.
“Being drafted by the Mets has been a dream come true,” said Frobose, a shortstop and right-handed pitcher. “Being born and raised in New York and being able to get drafted to a New York team is just surreal. I am so fortunate to be in this amazing organization.”
Frobose had committed to play at Rutgers University, but his plans have now changed after being selected by the Mets.
“I have accepted the offer from the Mets and fully expect to go play for them (in their organization),” said Frobose, a four-year varsity player for the Hornets.
Frobose, named All-Section honorable mention and All-League in 2025, is coming off a senior season at Lakeland where he led the Hornets with a .357 batting average and recorded a 1.182 OPS with two home runs.
He also registered a team-leading 2.58 ERA on the mound in five starts, giving up seven earned runs, striking out 41 batters and allowing seven walks.
Frobose, who played travel baseball for Northeast Pride National, was ranked the No. 14 prospect from New York in the 2025 class and the No. 4 shortstop in the state, according to Prep Baseball Report.
Frobose had an opportunity to show the Mets what he could do before the draft, and he obviously impressed them enough to be selected.
“My workouts with the Mets were an incredible experience and I worked so hard to get into this position,” Frobose said. “I was so happy and proud of myself.”
By being selected, Frobose continued a recent tradition of Lakeland graduates being drafted.
First baseman/left-handed pitcher Joe Vetrano, a 2020 Lakeland graduate, was drafted with the 163rd pick in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, while left-handed pitcher Matt Mikulski, a 2017 Lakeland graduate who also spent three years at Kennedy Catholic, was drafted in the second round with the 50th pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2021.
In addition, right-handed pitcher Jonathan de Marte, a 2011 Lakeland graduate, signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization in 2020.
“Being able to carry on this tradition is very special to me,” said Frobose, who also was a three-year member of Lakeland’s varsity football squad, where he was a wide receiver, quarterback and safety in his senior campaign. “I am so fortunate to be able to show younger kids that are at Lakeland or going to Lakeland that anything is possible if you work hard. I am so lucky to be able to call Lakeland home.”
Community support helped put Frobose in a position to be drafted by the Mets.
“Lakeland really invests in its athletes in a special way,” Frobose said. “Getting support from my community helped make me the player and person I am today, giving me the confidence to pursue my dreams. The community supports us like family and helps us to prepare for the next level.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here