Sports

D’backs draft Xaverian’s Soto

Elvin Soto finally got to enjoy the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Surprisingly, the former Xaverian star from The Bronx went undrafted his senior year, but after two stellar seasons at Pitt, the standout catcher was selected yesterday in the 16th round by the Diamondbacks. The hard-hitting catcher, a first team All-Big East selection, hit .320 with six home runs and 43 RBIs for the Panthers.

Another local star, Staten Island native Zach Granite, was taken in the 14th round by the Twins. The third Seton Hall player chosen, the speedy outfielder who attended powerhouse Tottenville High School batted .304, posted team-highs of 35 stolen bases and 59 runs scored and was a first team All-Big East pick.

While it was a down year on the diamond for St. John’s, the draft ended the season on a high note. Five Red Storm players were taken — right-handed pitcher James Lomangino to the Athletics in the 14th round, catcher Frank Schwindel to the Royals in the 18th round, left-hander Sean Hagan to the White Sox in the 31st round, and catcher Daniel Bethea to the Red Sox in the 34th round yesterday. Left-hander Ryan Horstman was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round on Friday.

Wagner College center fielder Ian Mille was taken by the Mariners in the 14th round, LIU right-hander Justin Topa went to the Pirates in the 17th round and Cardozo’s Adrian Castano was the first New York City high school player drafted, going to the Tigers in the 26th round.

Holy Cross High School shortstop Andrew Florides went to the Blue Jays in the 27th round. The Yankees picked Adelphi University right-hander Dillon McNamara in the 27th round, Columbia first baseman Alex Black was selected by the Royals in the 29th round, and the Mets took Long Island left-hander Anthony Kay of Ward Melville High School in the 29th round.

zbraziller@nypost.com