NOTRE DAME, Ind. — On the final day of the 2021 Major League baseball draft, one of the best sluggers in program history heard his name called. Senior infielder Niko Kavadas was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round of the draft.
“Niko had a remarkable year and his explosiveness is game changing,” said head coach Link Jarrett. “Power like his comes along very rarely. He is an intense hitter, with tremendous presence and an understanding of his style.”
The local product from Granger, Indiana had one of the most successful seasons in Irish baseball history this season and was one of the best power hitters in the country. He garnered two preseason All-American honors and started the season out with a bang, hitting home runs in each of his first two at-bats. Kavadas ended the season on a tear, as he hit his final five home runs all in the regional and super regional rounds. He ended up breaking the single season record for most home runs with 22, surpassing the old record of 20 set by Frank Jacobs in 1991. Kavadas finished the year with a .767 slugging percentage, which ranks second all-time in program history for a single season. Niko is also tied for second all-time for home runs in a career with 46.
After the season, Kavadas was named a First Team All-American by D1Baseball, Baseball America and Perfect Game. He was the first Irish player to earn multiple first team honors in the same season since Steve Stanley in 2002. Kavadas had a number of accolades throughout the year including Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Award semifinalist, First Team All-ACC and South Bend Regional Most Outstanding Player.
Kavadas is the first Irish player to be selected by the Red Sox since Kyle Weiland back in 2008. He is the sixth Irish player all-time to be selected by the Red Sox in the MLB Draft.
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