Caskenette drafted by Marlins, to continue Purdue legacy with the team

After becoming one of the most successful catchers in program history since he transferred to Purdue in 2022, Connor Caskenette was rewarded with a shot at a pro-career.

Caskenette was selected with the 19th pick in the 12th round and 364th overall Tuesday night. He’s the fifth Boilermaker since 2006 to be drafted by the Marlins. Pitchers Jay Buente (drafted in 2006, MLB debut in 2010) and Nick Wittgren (drafted in 2012, MLB debut in 2016) both reached the big leagues with the Marlins.

Miami’s five draft picks of Boilermakers are tied with Arizona for the most ever by any MLB franchise. And it was the Diamondbacks that last drafted a Purdue catcher, selecting Nick Dalesandro in the 10th round after his All-Big Ten season for the Boilermakers’ 2018 NCAA Regional team.

Caskenette was a two-year starter at catcher for Purdue, playing in 99 games and making 91 starts after arriving on campus in the fall of 2022 as a junior college transfer from Cochise College in Arizona.

He started 46 of the 48 Big Ten games in his two seasons, including all 24 as a third-team All-Big Ten honoree as a senior. His development also powered a Purdue lineup that set seven team records while enjoying a nine-win improvement in 2024, headlined by his 69 RBI that were tops in the Big Ten and fourth most in program history.

In the process, Caskenette became the first Boilermaker to be a semi-finalist for the Buster Posey/Johnny Bench Award since 2014.

Caskenette is in line to officially earn his bachelor’s degree in sociology next month. He joins Davis Pratt as players on the 2024 team to already move on to pro-ball. Pratt signed with the Chicago Dogs of the independent American Association in June, becoming teammates with Dalesandro. Players not selected in the draft this week are now eligible to sign with organizations as free agent.