Northwest Alumnus Prepares for Summer 'Dream Job'

Now that college is over, Germantown-native Charlie Cononie may be days away from landing the job he has been longing for since he first put on baseball cleats.

Cononie, a Northwest alum, wrapped up his college baseball career at Towson University last month. Now he hopes to hear his name called in the Major League Baseball draft, which begins Monday, June 6, and continues through Wednesday, June 8, in Secaucus, N.J.

"It would mean the world to me to be drafted," Cononie said. "It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember to play professional ball. I definitely can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing right out of college. It's very exciting to think I have the opportunity to play professional baseball."

Unlike other professional drafts such as football, the opportunity to begin playing baseball right after the draft can begin within a week, thanks to various Minor League summer programs and short-season rookie leagues.

But Cononie said that right now, he is just trying to relax and not think about it.

"If it happens, it happens" he said.

Cononie is coming off an historic season at Towson, where he was named second team All-Colonial Athletic Association on the All-CAA baseball team and was a two-time selection as CAA Pitcher of the Week.  

After three years as a part-time starter and reliever, Cononie broke through and emerged as one of the top pitchers in the CAA last season, compiling an 8-3 record (7-1 in conference) with a 3.39 ERA, including a league-high two shutouts. His eight wins placed him in the top three in the entire conference.  He also broke the school record of 89 strikeouts, which was set 10 years ago with 94 over 85 innings of work.

"Charlie is very deserving of this honor," said Towson head coach Mike Gottlieb in a statement, regarding Cononie's All-CAA selection. "There is no question that he was one of the dominant pitchers in the CAA this season. Anyone who saw him pitch was very impressed. The indications are that he will have an opportunity to pitch professionally."

Cononie credits his coaching staff for helping him toward the end of last season for his breakout performance his senior year. Still, he is grateful for everything that has happened to him this season and is blessed to be even considered for the professional draft, he said.

If drafted, Cononie would join the list of Towson players from Montgomery County who found professional success after college, including Brian Conley, Brian McKenna, and Gregg Davies.