There was no time off for Caden Merritt.

The day after he helped lead Gainesville High School to the Class 6 state title June 14, the now graduated senior joined the Frederick Keys (Maryland) of the Major League Baseball Draft League.

Formed in 2021, the MLB Draft League is split into two seasons.

The first half allows invite-only draft eligible players to improve their draft stock ahead of the 20-round MLB Draft July 13-14. The first half season runs from June 4 to July 12 and lasts 34 games.

Draft-eligible players come from the Divisions I-through-III ranks along with NAIA and junior college players and high school graduated seniors. 

Merritt is one of three 2025 high school graduates on Frederick’s 35-player roster. The other two, Walter Urbon and Truitt Madonna, are from California and Washington. 

The second half of the MLB Draft season is for pro players who have exhausted their amateur eligibility. That season starts July 16.

There are six teams in the league.

As a pitcher, Merritt finished the season with a 10-1 record, 1.537 ERA, 74 strikeouts and 15 walks. As a hitter, Merritt recorded a .421 batting average with six homers, 27 RBI, 38 runs and a state-best 30 stolen bases. 

Merritt has signed with Coastal Carolina as an outfielder. Coastal Carolina is currently competing in the College World Series.

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