Tag: MLB Draft

Penn State football recruit awaits MLB draft fate

Penn State wide receiver in Class of 2021 faces big decision as MLB draft continues

As the Major League Baseball season hits its midway point for the all-star break, teams began drafting for their future Sunday night. The first round of the MLB Draft took place Sunday, and it will continue on Monday. One Penn State multi-sport recruit could be faced with a big decision in the coming days.

Lonnie White Jr., a member of Penn State’s Class of 2021, is expected to be drafted as early as the second round of the MLB draft. Once a team drafts him, White will have to make a decision on whether to leave college football behind before he gets started or begin his journey through professional baseball.

This is a decision that is difficult to make and may be influenced heavily by money, as many decisions are. Depending on how much financial security an MLB team is able to offer as a signing bonus, White’s decision could be incredibly easy or extremely challenging.

White previously decommitted from a scholarship offer to play baseball for Clemson, leading him to sign a scholarship offer to play football for Penn State. White is expected to play baseball for the Nittany Lions as well, which would make him a real home run signee for Penn State. White is among the top-rated high school players in Pennsylvania and would be a great addition to Penn State’s wide receiver unit (he was rated a four-star recruit) and as an outfielder for Penn State’s baseball prorgam.

Penn State head coach James Franklin wished White well through this MLB draft process. While Franklin publicly wishes the absolute best for whatever White decides, you just know he’d love to be able to keep White in a football uniform for the next few years given his speed and potential as a receiver.

But we shall wait to see what exactly White’s situation will be. Whatever the case, it will be an exciting time for White.

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2021 MLB draft: Vols’ signee Brady House selected by Washington

2021 MLB draft: Vols’ signee Brady House selected by Washington

The 2021 Major League Baseball first-year player draft is taking place July 11–13 at Bellco Theatre in Denver, Colorado.

The draft kicked off Sunday with the first round and is in conjunction with the 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Coors Field.

University of Tennessee baseball signee Brady House was drafted in the first round. He was selected 11th overall by Washington.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound 2021 prospect is from Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia.

House has the ability to play shortstop and third base. He competed on the USA Baseball 15U National Team.

Rounds 2-10 will take place Monday starting at 1 p.m. EDT. MLB.com will stream second day coverage.

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USC Baseball: 5th-round pick Kyle Hurt signs with Marlins

Former USC Trojans right-hander Kyle Hurt has signed a deal with the Miami Marlins, who selected him in the fifth round of the MLB draft.

The USC Trojans have had a player selected in every MLB Draft going back to the 1960’s, and that streak was barely kept alive in 2020 by right-hander Kyle Hurt.

Hurt was selected by the Miami Marlins in the fifth, and final, round of the draft – which was shortened this season thanks to COVID-19 and the lack of minor leagues.

Hurt finally signed his contract with Miami, inking a deal worth $300,000 dollars. He was not added to Miami’s 60-man taxi squad, however, so he will not play affiliated baseball until the 2021 season.

Hurt was USC’s best pitcher in the very abbreviated 2020 season, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.71 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 17 innings. He runs his fastball up to 96 miles per hour, which is what drew scouts to watch him despite a rather pedestrian career overall with the Trojans.

Now, he will look to get work in at Miami’s facility in Florida before hopefully starting to turn some heads during the 2021 minor league season.

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Two former UGA baseball players sign MLB contracts

Due to the 2020 MLB Draft being shortened to five rounds this year, a high number of collegiate standouts saw themselves go undrafted in last week’s draft. Two of those players are former Georgia Bulldogs Tucker Bradley and Cam Shepherd. Redshirt …

Due to the 2020 MLB Draft being shortened to five rounds this year, a high number of collegiate standouts saw themselves go undrafted in last week’s draft.

Two of those players are former Georgia Bulldogs Tucker Bradley and Cam Shepherd.

Redshirt junior outfielder Bradley and senior shortstop Shepherd, though, have both since signed with MLB teams.

Bradley signed with the Kansas City Royals and Shepherd with the Atlanta Braves.

Shepherd:

“These past four years at the University of Georgia wearing the G on my chest has been nothing short of a dream,” Shepherd posted on his Twitter. “The memories and the relationships I have built will last a lifetime. My family, coaches, teammates and friends have not only shaped my baseball career but helped me grow to be the person I am today. Thank you to Dawg Nation and everyone who gave me nothing but support along the way. I am excited to say that I have signed and will be continuing my baseball career with the Atlanta Braves. Playing professional baseball has been a goal of mine since I picked up a bat and to have the opportunity to play for my hometown team is a dream come true. Can’t wait to get back on the field and get started!”

Bradley:

“I am so blessed and excited to announce that I will have the opportunity to continue my baseball career with the Kansas City Royals! This has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy and to be able to continue my journey is everything I could have ever asked for,” Bradley tweeted earlier this week. “I want to thank UGA, my previous coaches, my family, and most importantly, my Faith for allowing me to pursue my dream.”

Texas baseball must replace three solid players on their roster

Bryce Elder, Duke Ellis and Kamron Fields will not be returning to Texas next season.

It’s been an odd year for the sport of baseball. Continue reading “Texas baseball must replace three solid players on their roster”

Roger Clemens named USA TODAY Sports greatest No. 19 pick in MLB Draft

USA TODAY Sports recently released the greatest first round picks in MLB Draft history. Roger Clemens named the best at number 19.

The MLB Draft has come and gone. The Longhorns saw one of their own in pitcher Bryce Elder taken. Baseball has the University of Texas has a long and storied history. They have won multiple National Championships with the most recent coming in 2005. The Longhorns have the second-most titles in NCAA history, tied with LSU. While they have won six titles, they been invited to play for six more.

In a recent article on USA TODAY Sports, the best players were discussed as it pertains to their draft slot. Former Longhorn Roger Clemens made the list as the best ever to be selected at pick 19. He would go on to play in the Majors for a total of 24 years.

Roger Clemens (1983, Red Sox) – With 354 career wins and 4,672 strikeouts, Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers ever.

Others: Bobby Grich (1967, Orioles), Shannon Stewart (1992, Blue Jays), Alex Rios (1999, Blue Jays)

Clemens is currently third on the all-time list for strikeouts behind Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. He finished his career with 536 more strikeouts than Steve Carlton. Clemens’ 354 career wins puts him ninth in MLB history, one behind Greg Maddux.

The man nicknamed “The Rocket” played two seasons for the Texas Longhorns after transferring from San Jacinto College North.

Accomplishments

  • 12-2 record with 1.99 ERA in 1982
  • 13-5 record with 3.04 ERA in 1983
  • Winning pitcher in the 1983 National Champion game against Alabama
  • Led the Longhorns to consecutive College World Series appearances in 1982-83
  • 1986 American League MVP
  • AL Cy Young Award winner in 1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2004 (National League)
  • One of four pitchers to win the Cy Young in both leagues.
  • Oldest to ever win the Cy Young
  • Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee in 2014
  • Texas Hall of Honor inductee in 1994

 

Locked on Longhorns Podcast: A wacky day on the Forty Acres

It was a weird Thursday in Austin, we discuss BJ Foster and Anthony Cook. COVID-19 testing and the MLB Draft.

The Friday conversation starts with the news that defensive back B.J. Foster broke his hand prior to arriving on campus for onboarding. Foster broke his hand punching his bumper after finding out that someone damaged his vehicle. Then as the wacky day continued, Anthony Cook tweeted he wouldn’t play another snap at Texas then deleted the tweet.

The NCAA oversight committee has passed the six-week plan to ramp up for College Football. This gives many the confidence that sports will resume on schedule in the Fall. Plus two players have tested positive for the coronavirus and how far ahead is Texas than other state on having fans in the stands?

Jordan Spieth is back on the golf course and looking to get back to form. How is he looking on the course? Also we dive into baseball talk as the MLB Draft has completed. Will Bryce Elder return to Austin? Austin Todd has announced he is coming back. Plus we go through the list of former Longhorns up for enshrinement in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

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Boyle only Notre Dame Baseball player Drafted

In a short draft, Notre Dame baseball had one player, pitcher Joe Boyle selected in the 2020 MLB Draft.

At the beginning of the second day of the MLB Draft, MLBNetwork showed a graphic of which pitchers had the best traits in the draft. Notre Dame pitcher Joe Boyle was given the designation of having the best fastball in the draft, but that doesn’t always equate to being drafted highly.

Boyle had to wait until the final round, the fifth, to hear his name called by the Cincinnati Reds, the 143rd overall pick. His pick value was estimated by MLB.com at $382,700 and the fourth-year junior has the option of returning to school.

It remains to be seen if Boyle will sign or stay in South Bend as the 6’7” and 240-pound pitcher has a life-changing decision to make. Although the draft was truncated this season, normally the draft consists of 40 rounds, getting drafted in the first 5 rounds is still an impressive feat. At his point in time, if I had to guess, Boyle will sign with the Reds and start his professional career when the minor leagues resume play.

Spencer Strider drafted by Atlanta

Spencer Strider drafted by Atlanta.

CLEMSON — A former Knoxville Area high school baseball star was selected in the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft Thursday night.

Spencer Strider, a high school star at Christian Academy of Knoxville, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth-round of the draft.

He was the 126th overall selection.

After a stellar career with the Warriors at CAK, Strider was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2018. He opted to go to college and play in the Atlantic Coast Conference for Clemson University.

He was a top pitcher for the Tigers in 2018, but missed the 2019 campaign due to injury. He had Tommy John surgery and redshirted in 2019.

In 2018, Strider went 5-2 and had a 4.72 ERA. He had 70 strikeouts and 35 walks in 51 innings.

He made 22 appearances and had six starts.

In 2020, he appeared in four games, all starts, and was 0-0 with 28 strikeouts in 26.2 innings pitched.

Zach Daniels drafted by Houston

Zach Daniels drafted by Astros.

KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee baseball player Zach Daniels was drafted in the fourth-round of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft Thursday night.

Daniels, a junior outfielder, was selected by the Houston Astros and was the final selection in the fourth-round of the five-round event, which was abbreviated due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Daniels, a native of Georgia, was the 131st overall selection.

During the 2020 campaign, which came to a premature end due to the pandemic, he was the Most Valuable Player of the inaugural Round Rock Classic, an early-season tournament featuring some of the country’s top teams.

Daniels hit .357 last season. As a sophomore in 2019, he became just the 10th player in history to hit a pinch-hit home run in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.