Five Former Wisconsin State League players Selected in the 2015 MLB Draft

There are 26 current professional baseball players who have once spent time with the teams of the Wisconsin State League. Hopefully, in the near future, that number will increase; there is high promise with the few who were selected in this year’s MLB Draft.

Let’s take a look at the picks:

1st Round (6th Overall): LHP Tyler Jay (Lombard) – University of Illinois – Minnesota Twins

Jay is a product of Lemont, Illinois and was a large part of the record setting 50 win season for the Fighting Illini this year. This past season he was named Big-Ten Pitcher of the Year, posting a 5-2 record with 14 saves and a 1.08 ERA over 66.2 innings of work.

As a part of the Lombard Orioles in 2013, the left-hander recorded 15 strikeouts in 13 innings of work and did not allow a run.

Jay was mainly a closer in his time with the University of Illinois, but his responsibilities within the Twins organization may change as Jay has proven to be affective whenever he is on the mound, whether it be as a starter or reliever.

2nd Round (Competitive Balance Round B): RHP Kyle Cody (Eau Claire) – University of Kentucky – Minnesota Twins

The Twins drafted another pitcher in the second round, this time it was 6-foot-7 245-pound hurler and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin native Kyle Cody. Cody was selected in the 33rd round of the 2012 MLB Draft, by the Philadelphia Phillies, but elected to honor his scholarship and attend the University of Kentucky.

In 14 appearances (12 starts) this past year with the University of Kentucky Wildcats, Cody had a 4-4 record with 63 strikeouts in 66 innings of work.

With his time as an Eau Claire Cavalier in 2012 he tallied 54 strikeouts in 31.1 innings posting a 4-1 record.

This right-hander will look to make an early impact in the Twins organization with his powerful mid-90’s fastball.

17th Round: Catcher Jason Goldstein (Lombard) – University of Illinois – Los Angeles Dodgers

This Highland Park, Illinois native and battery mate of Tyler Jay, just finished his junior season with the Fighting Illini, he was there main catcher as he started 57 of 61 games. Goldstein had a productive three-year collegiate career, he racked up All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors in 2013 and All-Big Ten Second Team honors in 2014.

As a Lombard Oriole in 2012, Goldstein played in 16 games producing 10 hits and six RBI.

Goldstein will look to impress the Los Angeles Dodgers organization with his patience at the plate and his great defensive skills.

24th Round: RHP Brandon Magallones (Lombard) – Northwestern – Chicago White Sox

Magallones is from Manhattan, Illinois and had the second most innings pitched this past season for the Northwestern Wildcats, with 84.1 in his 16 starts. In his time on the mound he tossed 67 strikeouts and had a 5.55 ERA with a record of 4-5. In 2014, he was named Big-Ten Pitcher of the Week twice.

Magallones was also a member of the Lombard Orioles but his stats are absent.

25th Round: Rob McDonnell (Lombard) – University of Illinois – Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected another former Lombard Oriole in McDonnell, with Lombard in 2013, he pitched 16.1 innings manufacturing 25 strikeouts and posted a .54 ERA.

McDonnell, a Barrington, Illinois native, played his college baseball with the University of Illinois where he contributed consistently for the Fighting Illini on the mound. In his 2014 season, he went 4-0 with a 3.67 ERA and 30 strikeouts.

Signed:
RHP Gunnar Eastman (Sheboygan A’s) – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee –
Toronto Blue Jays

Eastman signed a minor league
free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

In his junior season with the
UWM Panthers, Eastman was effective coming out of the bullpen where he had a
2-0 record and opponents only hit .203 against him in his 22 innings pitched.
His ERA was 2.45 and he recorded 18 strikeouts.

Eastman was a member of the
Sheboygan A’s in 2013, during that season he appeared in five games, three of
which he started. He totaled 19 innings, collecting 16 strikeouts and a record
of 1-2.

A number of other players will be looking to sign free agent deals as well. Stay tuned to WisconsinStateLeague.com for updates.