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Future Wizards and Family Ties
By Chad Gramling | June 14, 2008
It’s been about a week since the draft took place and of course, there is some follow-up to be done. As I mentioned previously, I don’t get into breaking down any one team’s draft or even spending too much time analyzing the draft in general. I prefer to look more to the storylines.
If you want a good breakdown, check out Geoff’s review at Ducksnorts or PadMan’s Recap at Friar Forcast. They have some good analysis. Also, if you haven’t heard, the Padres’ top pick Allen Dykstra has signed so we might get to see him at the Castle later in the season.
But one of the most intriguing picks and storylines for Wizards fans could be one that was made in the 41st round. With that pick, the Padres selected Zachary Dascenzo, the son of current Wizards skipper, Doug Dascenzo (hat tip to Brian Joseph at Seamheads). The younger Dascenzo is a Laurel Highlands High School senior in Uniontown, PA . .. so he may choose college over going pro. Bu there is a possibility that he may end up as a catcher under the guidance of his father in Fort Wayne before the summer is out.
Zachary would join the growing list of second generation players to come through Fort Wayne. The names Josh Barfield and Fernando Valenzuela Jr. immediately come to mind. Yet, while the Padres’ top pick in Allen Dykstra has a familiar ring to it, he is not the son of former MLB player Lenny Dykstra. His son Cutter Dykstra was selected by the Brewers in the second round.
If a Dascenzo reunion in Fort Wayne does take place, it would not be the first time a father and son combination teamed up as Wizards coach and Wizards player. As recently as 2006, former MLB player, Max Venable was the hitting coach for the Wizards as his son, Will Venable put together a great season in Fort Wayne. They currently have their tandem act on display in Triple-A Portland where Max is the Beavers’ hitting coach and Will does his thing on the field.
