Ball in the Family: Draft to include notable names

June 7th, 2017

It was one of the best moments from last year's MLB Draft.
A month before Craig Biggio would be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, he fell asleep on his couch at his home in Houston. More than 1,600 miles away, his son, Conor, an intern at the Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office in midtown Manhattan, stood over a speakerphone, where he announced some major family news.
The younger Biggio son, Cavan, had been drafted in the fifth round by the Blue Jays. Dad woke up to the incessant buzzing of his phone.
:: 2017 MLB Draft coverage ::
It was official: all the Biggio boys had been drafted.
Legacy picks are one of the enduring aspects of every MLB Draft, and will be again when this year's Draft begins Monday at MLB Network Studios.
Who are some of the best relatives of MLB folks who could get drafted this time around?
We found a few for you. You might recognize some of these names.
Player: Kacy Clemens, Kody Clemens
School: Texas
Position: 1B/RHP; DH
Relative: Roger Clemens
Relationship: Sons
Kacy, a junior, is a left-handed hitter with power. He was Texas' top hitter and an All-Big 12 selection this season. Kody, a redshirt sophomore, hit five homers as the Longhorns' regular DH. Both sons of one of the greatest right-handers ever made their marks at their father's alma mater.
Player: Joe Dunand
School: N.C. State
Position: SS
Relative:
Relationship: Nephew
Dunand was one of the best players in the Cape Cod League last summer, and one of the best prospects in all of college baseball this season. He really came into his power this year, hitting 16 homers from the right side of the plate. A tall, athletic shortstop, Dunand's future might be at third base in the pros. Remind you of anyone?
Player: Peyton Glavine
School: Blessed Trinity Catholic HS (Roswell, Ga.)
Position: LHP
Relative: Tom Glavine
Relationship: Son
Tom Glavine's son is a left-handed pitcher from the Atlanta area with his dad's height and build. Don't be surprised if the Braves call his name. Even if they do, he could honor his commitment to Auburn.
Player: Buddy Kennedy
School: Millvile HS (N.J.)
Position: Third base
Relative: Don Money
Relationship: Grandson
A versatile infielder, Kennedy worked his way up Draft boards because of his speed and ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. That description sounds a lot like his grandfather, who made four American League All-Star teams as a member of the Brewers from 1974-78. But Kennedy actually models his game more after , whom he trains with in the offseason in New Jersey. Kennedy is the latest prospect to come out of Millville High, Trout's alma mater.
Player: Cole Bellinger
School: Hamilton HS (Chandler, Ariz.)
Position: RHP
Relative: Clay Bellinger,
Relationship: Son, Brother
His father was a World Series champion with the Yankees. His brother is currently one of baseball's most exciting rookies. Cole Bellinger has a lot of baseball legacy to live up to.
Player: Chase Pinder
School: Clemson
Position: OF
Relative: , 2B, Oakland A's
Relationship: Brother
As his brother Chad got off to a white-hot start as a rookie for the A's this season, Chase Pinder was helping lead Clemson toward another ACC Tournament run. The younger Pinder brother hit .318 for the Tigers this regular season and is expected to be picked within the top 10 rounds in this year's Draft.
Player: Darren Baker
School: Jesuit HS (Carmichael, Calif.)
Position: SS/OF
Relative: Dusty Baker, manager, Washington Nationals
Relationship: Son
Remember the little kid J.T. Snow saved from being trampled at home plate in the 2002 World Series? Well, Dusty Baker's kid is all grown up now, and is, if you can believe it, MLB Draft eligible.
Darren Baker is a versatile high school player with speed and athleticism … and a scholarship to play at Cal. But his dad has said the family will consider skipping college for the pros, if the right team makes the right offer.
Player: Jacob Gonzalez
School: Scottsdale Chaparral HS (Ariz.)
Position: 3B
Relative: Luis Gonzalez
Relationship: Son
Jacob Gonzalez grew up in Arizona as the son of a D-backs World Series hero. He's a different type of player than his father, though -- right-handed, taller (6-foot-4), and an infielder. He could go early in the Draft as teams hope to woo his power bat away from his commitment to TCU.
Player: Dalton Guthrie
School: Florida
Position: SS
Relative: Mark Guthrie
Relationship: Son
Mark Guthrie pitched in 765 games over a 15-year MLB career that ended in 1993. His son, Dalton, is a shortstop and one of the more polished college players available. Though Guthrie's size (he's 5-foot-11) may dissuade some clubs, his instincts, approach at the plate and gap power should entice others.
Player: Gavin Sheets
School: Wake Forrest
Position: 1B
Relative: Larry Sheets
Relationship: Son
Larry Sheets hit 94 home runs over eight seasons for the Orioles, Mariners and Tigers, mostly in the mid-to-late 1980s. His son, Gavin, paced the ACC this season with 19 big flies.
Player: Gunner Halter
School: Seminole State JC (Okla.)
Position: RHP/SS
Relative: Shane Halter
Relationship: Son
His dad helped four teams as a utility infielder from 1997-2004. Gunner Halter could have the bat to do something similar. He clocked 19 homers this season for Seminole, which plays in the junior college conference equivalent of Division II.
Player: Daulton Varsho
School: Milwaukee
Position: C
Relative: Gary Varsho
Relationship: Son
Gary Varsho enjoyed an eight-year career as a backup outfielder before getting into coaching. He briefly managed the Phillies in 2002, which meant his son, Daulton, named after former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton, grew up around the game his entire life. He also grew into a promising young catcher that paced the Panthers this spring in nearly every offensive category.
Player: Mac Sceroler
School: Southeastern Louisiana
Position: RHP
Relative: Ben McDonald
Relationship: Nephew
McDonald was the No. 1 overall pick in 1989. His nephew is also a right-handed starter with a power arm.
Player: Grayson Byrd
School: Clemson
Position: INF
Relative: Paul Byrd
Relationship: Son
Remember Paul Byrd, the durable right-handed starter of the 1990s and 2000s with the funky windup? His son turned heads as Clemson's starting third baseman.
Player: Dante Ricciardi
School: St. Petersburg College
Position: INF
Relative: J.P. Ricciardi
Relationship: Son
The Mets' assistant general manager's son was also drafted in the 39th round by the Mariners out of high school.
Non-MLB connections:
• Colby Bortles, INF, Mississippi, brother of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles.
• Kramer Robinson, SS, Louisiana State, son of Baylor women's basketball coach.
• Zach Jarrett, OF, UNCC, son of Dale Jarrett, Dayton 500 winner.
• Corey Dempster, OF, USC, grandson of George Toley, legendary Trojan men's tennis coach.