Gopher Baseball has 4 players taken in 2019 MLB Draft

Four Gophers were taken in this week’s MLB Draft. Once you enter college baseball, you are not eligible for the draft until after your junior season. So which juniors and seniors were taken this week?

RP - Brett Schulze (JR)

Round: 7
Team: Philadelphia Phillies

The Gopher closer was the first to be taken this year and he went in the 7th round to Philadelphia. This year Schulze was 5-1 with 9 saves and had 55 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched. The Maple Grove native will have the option of returning to the Gophers for his senior season, but being drafted this high is usually a spot where guys will leave.

RP - Jake Stevenson (SR)

Round: 10
Team: Cincinnati Reds

Coming to the Gophers from Waconia and pitching for 4 seasons, Stevenson earned himself a 10th round draft pick by the Reds. His career numbers are not terribly impressive. As a senior he was 2-2 with an ERA of 6.28. Perhaps it is his 6’4”, 225 frame that was enticing to the Reds.

C - Eli Wilson (JR)

Round: 16
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

I was expecting Wilson to go a little bit higher and the junior will have an interesting decision to make about coming back to the Gophers or hitting the road in the minor leagues. He has the pedigree with this father being a long time major leaguer and he was one of the Gopher’s most reliable players in the lineup. It would be a huge boost to the program if he chooses to return.

P - Nick Lackney (SR)

Round: 18
Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Lefty pitcher who made 20 appearances this year and sported a 2.38 ERA.

Best of luck to the seniors who are certain to be joining the rookie minor league teams soon and stay tuned on the decisions by the juniors who were selected.