2018 MLB Draft: Pac-12 finishes with 49 picks over past three days
The third and final day of the 2018 MLB Draft saw 24 more Pac-12 players get a chance to follow their big-league dreams on Wednesday. That makes 49 total selections from the Conference of Champions which ranks third among the Power 5 with SEC topping the college ranks at 99 draftees followed by the ACC's 75.
[Related: 19 Pac-12 players selected on MLB Draft's second day]
The Cougars had to wait until the 16th round on Wednesday for their first pick, but they made the most of the day with four selections. That total matched Arizona State for most by any Pac-12 team over the final 29 rounds.
Righty Parker McFadden was the first from WSU to be selected at No. 475 overall by the Baltimore Orioles. The junior from Yelm, Washington led the Cougs in ERA at 3.56 with 46 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings this season. Next up was Scott Sunitsch, taken with the Milwaukee Brewers' 18th round pick (No. 545). WSU's primary starter accumulated a 3.74 ERA with a record of 6-4 in 14 starts, holding opponents to a .267 batting average.
Later on Wednesday, it was the San Francisco Giants scooping up righty Ryan Walker in the 31st round at No. 916 overall. The senior notched 47 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings this season. Rounding out WSU's day was the conference's final pick of the draft as Justin Harrer went to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 35th round (No. 1044). The Cougar shortstop features a nice blend of power with 11 home runs this season while committing just two errors for a .982 fielding percentage.
The Sun Devils made their presence known, equaling the Cougars' four picks in the final round. Righty reliever Fitz Stadler was the first off the board, going to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th round. Eli Lingos was up next for ASU, heading to the Cleveland Indians in the 22nd round (No. 673). The Temecula, California native compiled a 3.83 ERA and went 7-5 in 14 starts this season, amassing 72 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings.
The defending champion Houston Astros called up on catcher Lyle Lin in the 29th round at 882nd overall. The sophomore tallied a .312 batting average in 55 games. Lastly, lefty Connor Higgins got a call from the Angels in the 30th round (No. 901).
A trio of Golden Bears came off the board on Wednesday, starting with Jonah Davis getting picked by the Pirates in round 15 (No. 444). The junior center fielder hit .321 with 58 RBIs and 14 home runs. The next Pac-12 selection also hailed from Berkeley with the Chicago White Sox taking Tyrus Greene at No. 468 in the 16th round. The San Diego native was Cal's everyday catcher, hitting .320 while throwing out 16 baserunners attempting to steal. The Brewers took a chance on Joey Matulovich in the 20th round (No. 605). The prospect from Danville, California sports a 3.79 career ERA, stiking out 121 in 163 2/3 innings.
The other California public school to the south saw a similar yield on Wednesday, beginning with Jon Olsen heading to the Minnesota Twins in the 12th round (No. 364). Despite an injury-shortened 2018 campaign, the Rancho Cucamonga, California product compiled a collegiate record of 9-1 record with a 3.34 ERA and 115 strikeouts in his three seasons as a Bruin. Next up was outfielder Daniel Amaral just two rounds later, heading to the Pirates at 414th overall. He roamed center field in 55 games this season without committing an error and tallied a season-high 38 RBIs. Rounding things our for the Bruins was Jeremy Ydens' selection by Arizona in the 33rd round (No. 999). The future Diamondback led the league in hitting during conference play at .406 and came second in slugging at .693.
[Related: 6 Pac-12 players taken in first two rounds of 2018 MLB Draft]
The final trio of teammates to be selected on Wednesday came in the form of Ducks. Righty Parker Kelly was the first from Eugene, taken in the 20th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. In 55 career appearances the Portland, Oregon native was a perfect 5-0 with a 3.26 ERA. 49 selections later in the 22nd round catcher Ray Soderman heard heard his name called by the Atlanta Braves. The junior college transfer hit .225 over 49 games in 2018 with 17 RBIs. Last up was shortstop Kyle Kasser whom the Kansas Royals laid claim to in round 30 (No. 902). The senior amassed a .299 career batting average with 178 hits, fifth-most on Oregon's all-time list.
The Huskies were the first Pac-12 program on the board Wednesday when Oakland A's called Joe DeMers at 323rd overall in the 11th round. The Huskies' ace compiled a 16-11 record with a 3.89 ERA and 186 career strikeouts. Shortstop Levi Jordan was the other Husky take in the final round, heading to the Chicago Cubs round 29. The former walk-on is hitting .300 this season eight homers and 39 RBIs.
After six Wildcats were taken on Tuesday, a pair of Arizona players selected Wednesday starting with the Chicago White Sox taking Travis Moniot in the 17th round (No. 498).The UA shortstop is solid in the field, amassing a .918 fielding percentage.The eighth and final Wildcat taken in this year's draft was catcher Ryan Haug, picked up by the Pirates in the 27th round (No. 804). The catcher played in 45 games this season, batting .235 and committed just two errors with a .986 fielding percentage.
Trojan first baseman Dillon Paulson was the program's final draftee, going 404th overall to the Los Angeles Dodgers in round 13. The junior first baseman was a key cog in the Trojan's offensive output, hitting 10 home runs with a team-high 41 RBIs.
A pair of Cardinal infielders were selected Wednesday to complete the 2018 draft class. Second baseman Beau Branton was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the 28th round (No. 838). That Hawai'i native hit a team-high .353 in the leadoff position. Duke Kinamon was taken in the 34th round (No. 1010) by the New York Mets. The Georgia native was drafted despite missing all of 2018 with an injury after leading the Pac-12 with 188 assists in 2017.