Eight Pokes Taken In 2015 MLB Draft

Ed. note — Max turned this in two weeks ago and I completely forgot to post it. Still thought it was interesting…

The first bit of bright news regarding OSU baseball after its incredibly disappointing exit out of the NCAA regionals came by way of the MLB Draft. Eight Cowboys were selected in the Draft, which is the second most in the conference, surprisingly behind the team from Norman that had 11 players selected.

LHP Michael Freeman, Astros, Round 7, Pick 199

No surprises here as the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year was the first Cowboy off the board. Freeman dominated opponents in 2015, posting a 10-3 record with a 1.31 ERA. Freeman signed a deal with the Astros and will join his former teammate, RHP Vince Wheeland, who was selected by Houston in the 24th round.

LHP Michael Freeman signs with Astros http://t.co/YuIAqfjbWi

— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) June 12, 2015

Freeman’s low-3/4’s arm slot made him hard to hit all season long and that will continue to be the case in the minor leagues. The biggest thing Freeman needs to work on is the continued development of his secondary pitches. Worst case, I see Freeman as a left-handed specialist in the future, but his ability to pitch late into games is an asset that an organization wouldn’t want to waste.

RHP Koda Glover, Nationals, Round 8, Pick 254

Glover wasted no time making a reputation for himself as head-turner for pro scouts every time he took the mound at Allie P. The right-hander stands at 6-foot-5 and has a 95+MPH fastball, no wonder he didn’t last long in the draft.

As a junior, it is unknown if Glover will leave OSU after only one season (his slot value is just under $200,000). He had a great season for the Cowboys with a 1.90 ERA in 23 innings and also putting up 28 strikeouts. If he signs, Glover will need to develop a more consistent breaking ball, but other than that he has all of the makings of a potential closer.

Update:

8th-rder Koda Glover signs w/@Nationals for $200k. (slot 254 = $166,100). Oklahoma State RHP, 6-ft-5, FB to 96, needs sec P. @MLBDraft

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 19, 2015

SS Donnie Walton, Brewers, Round 23, Pick 691

It took a while for the next Cowboy to be selected, but Walton was the next guy off the board. Hopefully, this selection will not mean much and Walton will return for his senior season because nobody wants to see him go. Even though Walton only played 39 games due to an early-season injury he was still named a 1st team All-Big 12 contributor.

Please don’t leave, Donnie!

2B Tim Arakawa, Angels, Round 23, Pick 705

Not long after his double play partner was selected, Arakawa came of the board as well and he’ll be headed to the Angels system. After transferring from a junior college in his native Hawaii, Arakawa made the most of his two years at OSU. Arakawa has two very important traits: reliability and clutch hitting. There was only one game that Arakawa didn’t in his two years and who won’t forget his walk-off single against St. John’s?

Oklahoma State weathers a harsh Red Storm on a Arakawa Walk Off! #RoadToOmaha http://t.co/tq1k6I27VN

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) May 30, 2015

RHP Jon Perrin, Brewers, Round 27, Pick 811

Although, Perrin didn’t follow up his 2014 All-Big 12 first team performance that was some would have expected (6-4, 4.06 ERA), but he was able to upgrade himself from his 33rd-round selection in last year’s draft. Perrin had two of his best starts in the 2015 season on big stages, against Kansas State in the Big 12 tournament and St. John’s in the regionals. If Perrin can control his fastball, I have no doubt that he will be able to handle the pressure of pitching professionally.

C Bryan Case, Giants, Round 27, Pick 816

The Winters, California native will be playing close to home in San Francisco. Case has been my favorite player on the team for the last two years. I wish he would’ve gotten more playing time, but it was tough when Gage Green is the other catcher.

Case is a great presence behind the plate and has some good pop in his bat. Remember when he hit three home runs in five games last year? Case strikes me as one of those guys that will surprise people because I know once he gets consistent playing time behind the plate he is going to take off.

C/OF Gage Green, Dodgers, Round 35, Pick 1062

It took me a little bit by surprise that it took this long for Green to come off the board. He didn’t have the greatest senior season, but a .291 batting average isn’t that bad, especially for a guy that is a plus defender in the outfield and behind the plate.

The Dodgers drafted Green as a catcher, but it’s great to have versatility on defense. As long as the bat comes around I could see an athlete like Green doing very well for himself in professional baseball.

RHP/OF Conor Costello, Pirates, Round 38, Pick 1147

Interestingly enough Costello was drafted as a pitcher, but it doesn’t really matter because he’s coming back, according to what he told me on twitter.

@MaxGross55 I'm heading back no matter what

— Conor Costello (@ConorCostello4) June 10, 2015

The only seniors who weren’t drafted were LHP Tyler Nurdin, INF Hunter Hagler and LHP Kyle Bagnell. If everyone leaves OSU would only lose 11 guys. Although some key players are moving on, there is no reason to think this won’t be able to out-perform this year’s squad.