Ryan Daniels, Brady Afthim and incoming transfer AJ Soldra were all selected on day two
Three UConn Huskies heard their names called on the second day of the 2025 MLB Draft. Infielder Ryan Daniels, relief pitcher Brady Afthim and outfielder AJ Soldra all got the call Tuesday during the 20-round event.
After revealing he had been contacted by 29 of 30 MLB teams, Daniels remained unsure where or when he would be drafted. Despite murmurs that he could be selected as early as the fifth round, he wouldn’t get the call until the 11th round, when the Minnesota Twins took Daniels with the No. 329 overall pick.
The reigning Big East Player of the Year will forgo his senior season at UConn to begin his journey in the pros after putting together a tremendous year in Storrs. His 75 RBI and .744 slugging percentage led the conference, and his .365 average, .476 on-base percentage, 18 doubles and four triples led all qualified UConn hitters. Daniels is the fourth Husky position player drafted by the Twins since 2019.
Two rounds later, the Cincinnati Reds took Afthim off the board with the No. 384 pick. Afthim, unlike Daniels, did not have an extra year of eligibility to fall back on in case he was not selected. His final year in Storrs was a productive one, striking out 53 hitters across 36 2⁄3 innings, posting an ERA of 2.45 and collecting nine saves and two wins. Those marks earned him Second Team All-Big East honors in 2025, following up his first team nomination in 2024.
AJ Soldra committed to UConn out of the transfer portal, coming to Storrs following two years at Seton Hall. The Los Angeles Dodgers used their 16th round pick to select Soldra No. 495 overall. In 54 games last season with the Pirates, Soldra hit .330 with a .940 OPS. Speed was the biggest attribute that drew attraction to Soldra, who showcased just that in 2024 by stealing 15 bases and legging out a team-leading eight triples. Through 56 at bats this summer with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League, Soldra carries a .921 OPS and will have to decide between signing with the Dodgers or spending next season with the Huskies.