NEWS

 

Davidson catcher Michael Carico was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft Monday afternoon.

His pick is the second highest in Davidson history (infielder Robert Eenhoorn in 1990) and marks the second straight year the Wildcats have had a player drafted in the fifth round, following pitcher Nolan DeVos’s selection by the Houston Astros (pick 163) last year.

“We’re so happy for Michael and his family,” said Davidson head coach Rucker Taylor. “He made himself into one of the best players in Davidson’s history. Today is wonderful recognition of his efforts, and we couldn’t be prouder or more happy. He’ll be missed greatly but has left a great legacy behind.”

Carico had a breakthrough sophomore campaign in 2022, when he led the nation with a .559 on-base percentage, earned the ABCA/Rawlings National Gold Glove, hit .406, set a single-season program record with 21 home runs and was the first Wildcat to be named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.

He posted a 1.402 OPS, earned All-American honors from four media outlets, was a finalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher Award and the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award and earned a spot in USA Baseball’s National Team Training Camp.

Carico’s junior season was impacted by an injury, which occurred when he took a foul ball off his left wrist while catching at Coastal Carolina March 3. He missed two months of play and was limited to 21 games. Carico hit .350 with six doubles, seven home runs and 18 RBIs, while posting a .514 on-base percentage and slugging .688 for a 1.202 OPS.

Since the season ended, Carico has played with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Carico, from Kernersville, currently owns six single-season school records, all from 2022, with marks of 71 runs, 43 extra base hits, 166 total bases and an .843 slugging percentage joining his home run and on-base totals.

The MLB Draft started Sunday, July 9 and will end Tuesday, July 11.