While it does not get nearly the public and media recognition for a number of reasons, the MLB first-year player draft is always an exciting time in the sport, especially for clubs as they welcome in a new wave of prospects to their organization. Here in Michigan, meanwhile, it is always refreshing to see some local standouts see/hear their names selected throughout the week.
All in all, the state of Michigan saw 20 players with either high school or college ties get selected in the MLB Draft [Note: This list is subject to change as more out-of-state names with local high school ties surface]:
- WILL ENGLISH, P
- A native of Taylor, MI
- Currently attending Detroit Western Int’l HS
- 5th Round | Los Angeles Angels
- Signed to play at the University of Tennessee but will reportedly sign with LAA
- JAKE LEE, P
- A native of Highland, MI
- A graduate of Milford HS
- Played three years at Oakland University; previously played at Hillsdale College (2014)
- 9th Round | Los Angeles Angels
- WILL TRIBUCHER, P
- Played three years at the University of Michigan
- 14th Round | Colorado Rockies
- RILEY MCCAULEY, P
- A native of Sterling Heights, MI
- A graduate of S.H. Stevenson HS
- Played three years at Michigan State University
- 14th Round | Chicago Cubs
- LUKE SHILLING, P
- A native of Clarkston, MI
- A graduate of Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
- Played three years at the University of Illinois
- Only 7 games in 2017 due to injury; DNP in 2018
- 15th Round | Chicago White Sox
- Previously drafted in 20th Round by TEX in 2015
- MIKE BRETTELL, P
- Played at Central Michigan University
- 15th Round | St. Louis Cardinals
- GRANT WOLFRAM, P
- A native of Hamilton, MI
- A graduate of Hamilton HS
- Played two years at Davenport University; previously played at Central Michigan (2016)
- 18th Round | Texas Rangers
- Previously drafted in 17th Round by DET in 2015
- EVAN MARQUARDT, P
- A native of Midland, MI
- A graduate of Midland Dow HS; previously spent two years at Bullock Creek HS
- Played three years at Ball State University
- 20th Round | Cincinnati Reds
- MAX SCHUEMANN, 2B
- A native of Portage, MI
- A graduate of Portage Northern HS
- Played three years at Eastern Michigan University
- 20th Round | Oakland Athletics
- NICOLAS LAIO, P
- Played three years at Western Michigan University
- 20th Round | Texas Rangers
- JOSH SMITH, P
- A native of Saline, MI
- A graduate of Saline HS
- Played one year at Grand Valley State University; previously played at Kentucky (2017)
- 25th Round | Texas Rangers
- DAZON COLE, P/OF
- A native of Pontiac, MI
- A graduate of West Bloomfield HS
- Played three years at Central Michigan University; previously played at Wabash Valley College [IL] (2015)
- 25th Round | Los Angeles Angels
- DANIEL ROBINSON, OF
- A native of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
- A graduate of Grosse Pointe North HS
- Played three years at Central Michigan University
- 29th Round | Los Angeles Dodgers
- JARED TOBEY, P
- A native of St. Clair, MI
- A graduate of St. Clair HS
- Played four years at Wayne State University
- 30th Round | Detroit Tigers
- CONNOR SMITH, SS
- A native of Midland, MI
- A graduate of Midland Down HS
- Played three years at Western Michigan University
- 30th Round | Cleveland Indians
- JAYCE VANCENA, P
- Played four years at the University of Michigan
- 31st Round | Detroit Tigers
- Previously drafted in 26th Round by TEX in 2014
- JONATHAN ENGLEMANN, RF
- Played three years at the University of Michigan
- 31st Round | Cleveland Indians
- BRYCE BUSH, 3B
- Currently at Warren De La Salle Collegiate HS
- 33rd Round | Chicago White Sox
- Signed to play at Mississippi State University
- SPENCER SCHWELLENBACH, P
- Currently at Saginaw Heritage HS
- 34th Round | Cleveland Indians
- Signed to play at the University of Nebraska
- SHEA PATTERSON, 3B
- Played two years at quarterback for Ole Miss (2016-17)
- Transferred to the University of Michigan in December 2017
- Declared eligible by NCAA to play immediately in 2018
- Has not played organized baseball since junior year in HS (2015)
- 39th Round | Texas Rangers
