The recent MLB draft saw eight MSU players get selected, a record for the program and a positive sign moving forward. The previous high was five draftees, which was set in 2002.
Outfielder Cam Gibson was the first to get selected. He went to Detroit in the fifth round, No. 160 overall, and first baseman Ryan Krill went to the New York Yankees in the ninth round, No. 273 overall. They were both drafted on the first day of the draft.
The next day’s selections included: pitcher Anthony Misiewicz, selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 18th round, No. 545 overall; pitcher Cam Vieaux, selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 19th round, No. 580 overall; pitcher Jeff Kinley, selected by the Miami Marlins in the 28th round, No. 836 overall; pitcher Mick VanVossen, selected by the Washington Nationals in the 28th round No. 854 overall); designated hitter/catcher Blaise Salter, selected by Detroit in the 31st round, No. 940 overall and third baseman Mark Weist, selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 37th round, No. 1116 overall.
“Big couple of days for our program, I’m really happy for the guys, all eight of them,” head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. “I’m really excited for them and their opportunity, I think that’s why guys come to Michigan State — they come to Michigan State obviously to get a good education but to play some better baseball and to get a chance to realize their dreams to play pro ball.”
Gibson has already made his decision clear that he plans to forgo his senior year of eligibility to begin his professional career— but for Misiewicz, a junior, and Vieaux, a sophomore, the tough decision to decide between continuing their college careers, or taking a chance at becoming a pro looms.
“A couple of them will have some difficult decisions to make but it is a win-win all around,” Boss said.
Boss believes that this draft can show a lot to both the current players, and the future prospects on the recruiting trail.
“For the current team it shows the returning guys what hard work, passion and attention to detail will do for you,” Boss said. “I think it shows those guys how close they are to realizing their dreams provided they work hard at it.
“For recruiting, it shows recruits that we develop players here, guys come to Michigan State to get better. It shows recruits that they have a chance to continue to improve.”
The team just missed the NCAA tournament this past season with a record of 34-23, however the Spartans must replace several key pieces with eight seniors leaving and at least one junior, Gibson.
This team was led by its seniors and next year’s group of veterans will need to step up if the team hopes to build off of this momentum.
