Nervous moments kept tapping Zach Kokoska on the shoulder as he watched names slide across his television screen during the MLB Draft earlier this week.

His cellphone sat quiet in his palm.

The power-hitting outfielder recalled having similar feelings a year ago during a condensed version of the draft, when the pandemic put minor-league baseball on pause.

His phone never rang then, leaving the former Latrobe star doubly motivated to have his name called in 2021.

“I was pretty nervous watching that screen,” said Kokoska, 22. “The rounds were going by, and I hadn’t seen my name. I had to be patient.”

Then came the 10th round, and his life changed forever. The would-be senior at Kansas State was now set to be a pro.

Kokoska was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the 290th pick on the second day of the draft, which was held in Denver.

“Before the draft, the Rockies had contacted me and said I was high on their radar,” Kokoska said. “I thought they might be the team to call, but I wasn’t sure.”

Maybe one day, the lefty will be hitting homers into the thin Colorado air. But first, the business formalities.

Kokoska plans to fly to Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sunday to sign a contract and begin his quest to reach the big leagues. He was advised not to discuss terms of his pending deal, but he said the payday is substantial enough for him to live on while be plays in the minors.

According to MLB.com, the pre-slotted signing bonus for the 290th pick is $147,400.

Kokoska, a former Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year, is awaiting assignment, but knows he will play rookie ball at the Rockies’ spring training facility, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, until September.

“It could all change at any time,” the All-Big 12 Conference pick said. “Two weeks from now, they could send me somewhere else. You never know.

“I would love to be the first from (Latrobe) to make it (to the major leagues).”

The WPIAL and PIAA champion began his college career at Virginia Tech but transferred to Kansas State, a move he said boosted his game and helped him carve a path to the draft.

“If someone came up to me and asked what I would change about my career, I would say nothing,” he said. “Everything fell into place. I made so many memories and friends (at K-State), and I became a better player.”

Kokoska led Kansas State in batting average (.363) and slugging percentage (.675) and hit 15 home runs with 46 RBIs. He was third in the Big 12 in homers and second in doubles (19).

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