SPORTS
KANSAN.COM
Trio of Kansas baseball players selected in the MLB draft
▶ WESLEY DOTSON
@WesDotsonUDK
Junior shortstop Matt McLaughlin tags a runner at second base against Minnesota on March 28. The Jayhawks dropped the first game of the series, 5-2.
Missy Minear/KANSAN
The core of this past season's Kansas baseball team will now prepare for their next step in professional baseball.
After becoming the first two Kansas pitchers since 2006 to be selected in the top 10 rounds during day two of the 2017 MLB draft on Tuesday, junior reliever Blake Weiman and senior closer Stephen Villines saw their star shortstop selected on Wednesday.
Junior Matt McLaughlin was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 12th round (356th overall) during the third day of the draft.
As for Weiman, he was the first Jayhawk off the board when he was selected in the eighth round (238th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The lefty moved to the bullpen this season and became a dominant shortouting force for Kansas coach Ritch Price.
Using his 6-foot-4 frame, Weiman struck out 30 batters and walked only three while posting a 2.22 ERA in 18 relief appearances.
"It is an amazing feeling," Weiman said in a Kansas Athletics news release. "Everything I have worked for my whole career paid off today. The University of Kansas and the coaching staff have given me all the tools to be successful to this point and I will be forever indebted to them and this institution. I couldn't be more excited."
However, Weiman hit several rough patches during his first two seasons at Kansas.
Weiman was primarily used as a starter in both his freshman and sophomore campaigns. He went 4-14 with a 6.78 ERA in 21 starts.
The move to the bullpen allowed him to develop his fastball and produce more velocity since he would now see a limited number of batters.
For Price, the move dramatically, helped the team's pitching success.
"I am absolutely thrilled for Blake," Price said in the release. "He walked in here
as a freshman throwing 80-82 MPH, and with his work ethic, is leaving here with a low 90s fastball and a plusbreaking ball. To see him chase his dream, knowing how hard he worked, I couldn't be happier."
He was also one save shy of the Big 12 Conference record set by longtime MLB reliever Huston Street (41).
Weiman became a bridge to Villines, who was drafted in the 10th round (307th overall) by the New York Mets.
Villines was also named
Villines became the all-time leader in saves (40) for the program this season.
to the All-Big 12 First Team (2017),All-Big 12 Second Team (2016),All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Team (2014 & 2015),Big 12 AllFreshman Team (2014) and the NCBWA Freshman All-American Second Team (2014) during his four-year career at Kansas.
"What a remarkable four years by Stephen," Price said in the release. "He will go down as one of the all-time great Jayhawks and now has a chance to chase his dream of playing professional baseball. I couldn't be happier for that young man."
Price said he owes the majority of the bullpen's
success this season to Weiman and Villines.
"Our bullpen was the strength of our team this season, evident by these two young men." Price said in the release. "There was no doubt in my mind these two would hear their names called and I am absolutely thrilled for both guys."
Rounding out the Jayhawk draft class was McLaughlin, who became one of the Jayhawks' most consistent bats during his three-year tenure.
"What a dream come true," McLaughlin said in the release. "This dream was only possible with the help of the coaching staff
at the University of Kansas. They completely molded my game and prepared me for the next level. I am truly grateful for everything the University and staff has done for me these past three years."
McLaughlin posted a career-high slash line of .325/.419/.439 with six doubles and 21 RBIs this past season.
"I already took a phone call from the Rockies and they are excited to have Matt in their organization," Price said in the release. "He is a tremendous Jayhawk and I know he will be successful at the next level."