Given an opportunity to pursue professional baseball at the price of his commission, Connolly chose to continue serving as an ensign. He is currently on temporary assignment duty at the Naval Academy.
That did not dissuade the Los Angeles Dodgers from selecting Connolly with the final pick of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. The Naval Academy graduate was taken at the end of the 20th round with the 612th overall pick, making him the MLB version of “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Navy coach Paul Kostacopoulos was somewhat surprised to learn Connolly had been drafted considering the circumstances, but nonetheless was happy for his former player.