Several IU baseball players could hear their name called as the 2024 MLB First Year Player Draft begins this weekend (July 14-16) in Arlington, Texas.
The draft will be held simultaneously with MLB All-Star weekend at the home of the defending World Series Champions, the Texas Rangers.
In total, 107 former Indiana players have been drafted, dating all the way back to 1966. IU had two players picked in 2023 in relief pitcher Craig Yoho (8th Round) and shortstop Phillip Glasser (10th Round).
Among the players expected to be chosen this year include three-year everyday starters in infielder Brock Tibbitts and outfielder Carter Mathison. The two players combined to appear in 350 career games for the Hoosiers in three seasons. Outfielder Nick Mitchell, who transferred to IU for his junior season, is a projected top-10 round pick with his plus speed and outstanding bat-to-ball skills.
Junior right-handed pitcher Luke Sinnard, who broke the single-season strikeout record in 2023, missed all of the 2024 season but is expected to be picked early in the proceedings. He pitched for scouts in Bloomington and made a trip to the MLB Draft Combine where he was a standout with his spin rate and velocity numbers.
A trio draft-eligible sophomores will likely hear their names called during the three-day draft. Pitchers Connor Foley and Brayden Risedorph and shortstop Tyler Cerny are all on the older side of their grade, making them eligible for this year’s draft. As sophomores, the three players hold higher leverage and can decide on whether to return to Bloomington for the 2025 season.
Additional IU standouts, including senior pitchers Ty Bothwell and Drew Buhr and junior third baseman Josh Pyne, could be picked near the backend of the MLB Draft. The draft, which was shortened to just 20 rounds following the COVID-19 pandemic, lasts from Sunday (July 14) to Tuesday (July 16) with over 600 selections.
Since head coach Jeff Mercer took over the program in 2019, 20 players have been drafted. 10 different Hoosiers have been picked in the top-10 rounds including outfielder Matt Gorski (2-57), who was picked by Pittsburgh and now plays in Triple-A for the Indianapolis Indians.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
