Brunswick Alum Aaron Sabato

Sabato Drafted by MLB’s Twins in First Round

By Paul Silverfarb

Former Brunswick School baseball standout Aaron Sabato (14) celebrates a homer with his teammates during a game his senior year. See story on page 15.

The 2020 Major League Baseball draft has come and gone and still Brunswick alum Aaron Sabato has to remind himself that this isn’t a dream.

On June 11, and surrounded by friends and family, Sabato was watching the draft transpire on his television and was wondering when he would see his name flash on the screen. He was lights out during his tenure with the Brunswick School baseball team and had a historic experience with the University of North Carolina. 

Sabato knew it was only a matter of time before his name could be called. 

Well, the Rye Brook resident didn’t have to wait long. In the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft on June 11, Sabato found out that he was the top draft pick (27th overall) of the Minnesota Twins.

“I have worked my entire life for this moment and to see it come into fruition is a blessing,” Sabato said. “It’s still hard to put into words. I’m sitting with my family, and my parents would be like, ‘Can you still believe this is happening?’ and I still say no.” 

Sabato didn’t find out about the Twins drafting him by a phone call, email or text. Instead, the Rye Brook resident learned of his MLB future the same way that a lot of baseball fans around the country found out who their favorite teams drafted. 

“I was watching it on TV and I was surprised as anybody else was seeing my name getting called,” Sabato said. “It was pretty crazy. I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked. I have been given the opportunity to fulfill a dream. To know that someone has the belief in me, trusts me, sees my ability, and also my potential to get better is amazing. First rounders are expected to be franchise guys, so to be in that category is something really special.”  

The reason for Sabato’s first round status was because of all his hard work and dedication to the sport shining through. In two seasons with the University of North Carolina, with the previous season cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sabato was putting up record numbers. 

“It was my dream to play (at UNC) since I was five-years-old, so to play there for those two years was everything that I could have ever wanted,” Sabato said. “The fact that UNC got to be a stepping stone to my path to the Major Leagues and to be a professional baseball player, I couldn’t be happier.”

In total, Sabato played 83 games for the Tar Heels. He finished with a career .332 average and drilled 25 homers – 18 of those home runs were smashed during his freshman year. Those 18 homers were a record at UNC for freshmen. He also finished with 21 doubles, 81 runs batted in and 98 hits. His on-base percentage was .459 and his slugging percentage was at .696.

“We are all very happy for Aaron,” said UNC head coach Mike Fox in a press release. “He is a special talent and outstanding young man. He was not only a great player for us, but a very good student as well. His future is bright.”

While attending Brunswick School, Sabato had a senior year to remember. According to the Bruins, Sabato finished his final year at the school with a .560 average and also belted 14 homers in 22 games. Three of his four years at ‘Wick, Sabato was one the keys that helped the school pick up three Fairchester Athletic Association championships. 

“They held me to a higher standard,” Sabato said. “They knew what I was capable of and knew what I could do. The people at Brunswick really looked out for me. I built circles around those guys because I could trust them, and I knew they cared about me.”

With his numbers at both Brunswick and North Carolina, and confident of his abilities, Sabato says he brings a lot to the table, especially when it comes to hitting.

“I think I’m the best hitter in the country and as I get older, I’m going to be one of the best hitters in the big leagues,” Sabato said. “I think I have that power to hit 40-plus homers and hit over .300. When I got to go on the field, I saw that the dimensions, right field and center is a little further and with a higher wall than UNC, but left to center is almost the same dimensions. But I am not worried about dimensions. I know that if I put a good swing on, I can hit the ball pretty far.”

Although COVID-19 stopped athletics, that hasn’t stopped Sabato keeping up with routine and making sure he’s in the best shape possible, so that way when he gets the call to report to camp, he will be ready to showcase his talents.

“I have been working out at home and doing everything I can to keep a normal routine,” Sabato said. “For me, it’s all about how bad I want it. Regardless of the circumstances, I have to make sure I get my work done and have to make sure my body is in the best shape to play. Now I’m at a different level, I have to learn how to keep my body in the best shape and keep my baseball abilities in tip-top shape. During this lockdown, it’s been about what is going to work for me and trying to figure out that stuff.”

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