June 13, 2017

Fleming is the first of a dozen D-III players drafted

More news about: Adrian | Amherst | Birmingham-Southern | Farmingdale State | MIT | Pomona-Pitzer | Rhodes | Rochester Tech | Rochester | UW-La Crosse | Webster

D3baseball.com's Pitcher of the Year, Josh Fleming, had his name called in the fifth round of the MLB draft as the first D-III player taken in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Austin Filiere was an eighth round pick of the Chicago Cubs and Tanner Nishioka was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round as the second day of the three day event concluded with the completion of the tenth round.

Josh Fleming, LHP, Webster

Tampa Bay Rays, 5th round, No. 144 overall

Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190.
Bats: Right. Throws: Left.
Hometown: Columbia, Ill.

Webster pitcher Josh Fleming had his name called in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays on June 13. Fleming was the 139th pick overall in the draft.

Fleming was on solid footing entering the 2017 season, but an NCAA III-leading earned run average of 0.68, 115 strikeouts (second in Division III) in 92 2/3 innings, and an 8-1 record made his stock soar higher.
 
He is the first player on a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team to be drafted by the MLB in 19 years, and only the second SLIAC baseball player to ever be drafted. At Webster, he is a junior studying business administration in the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology.

"I'm just really excited about the prospect of becoming a professional ball player," Fleming said. "The thought of baseball becoming an everyday job for me is very cool."

Fleming's 2017 season got the attention of regional and national outlets. He first earned the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference "Pitcher of the Year" award, then was named the D3baseball.com 2017 Central Region 'Pitcher of the Year' and to the D3baseball.com All-Central Region First Team. The American Baseball Coaches Association followed with ABCA/Rawlings 2017 Central Region 'Pitcher of the Year' recognition for Fleming, as well as being named to the Central All-Region First Team.
 
His recognition reached the national level as he was the D3baseball.com 2017 'Pitcher of the Year', while landing on their All-American First Team.  Fleming was also ABCA/Rawlings All-America First Team, just the second player in Webster history to earn a First Team spot.  He is now eligible for ABCA/Rawlings 'Player of the Year' consideration.
 
Fleming set Webster single season marks for ERA and strikeouts, and allowed the second lowest batting average for opponents (.165).  Fleming has the lowest career ERA in team history (1.92), and is second in strikeouts (251) and fourth in wins (19).
 
Webster head baseball coach Bill Kurich noted, "Pitchers usually lose it for a few innings in a few games, but I don't remember Josh losing control of any game for more than a pitch or two. He'd be able to correct himself in a pitch."
 
The only player to be taken in the MLB draft previously from a school competing in baseball in the SLIAC, was in 1998 when Fontbonne's Ryan Bauer was picked in the 26th round.

Austin Filiere, SS, MIT

Chicago Cubs, 8th round, No. 255 overall

Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 190.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.

MIT junior shortstop Austin Filiere was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the eighth round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Filiere is just the second MIT player to be drafted, joining 2001 alumnus Jason Szuminski, who was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 27th round in 2000.

A 2017 CoSIDA Third Team Academic All-America selection, Filiere was an ABCA/Rawlings Second Team All-American and the NEWMAC Player of the Year for the second time. The NEWMAC leader in slugging percentage (.794), on-base percentage (.530), home runs (13), total bases (108) and walks (41), Filiere was an ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region honoree and named to the NEWMAC First Team. Ending the season with a .375 batting average, he also reached base successfully in 64 straight games dating back to 2016, which is the third-longest streak in NCAA Division III history. 

Filiere was also a D3Baseball.com Second Team All-Region honoree who finished the year with 17 multi-hit games and a season-high hit streak of 10 games. The 2015 D3Baseball.com National Rookie of the Year, Filiere is the MIT all-time career leader in runs scored (172), home runs (39), runs batted in (151), walks (111), batting average (.414), on-base percentage (.543) and slugging percentage (.809).

Tanner Nishioka, 2B, Pomona-Pitzer

Boston Red Sox, 9th round, No. 281 overall

Ht.: 5-10. Wt.: 180.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Tanner Nishioka was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, 283rd overall. Nishioka is the highest Pomona-Pitzer player selected in the MLB draft and the first pick since David Colvin in 2011.

Nishioka earned First Team All-American honors for the first time to cap off his collegiate career. The senior second baseman earned All-American Honorable Mention during his junior season and ends his career as a two-time All-American, four-time All-West Region, four-time All-SCIAC as well as SCIAC Player of the Year (2017), All-West Region Player of the Year (2017) and SCIAC Newcomer of the Year (2014). Nishioka also earned Academic All-American honors this year with a 3.62 GPA at Pomona College with a Neuroscience major.

This marks the first Sagehen to earn First Team All-American honors since Drew Hedman in 2009.

Nishioka put up some incredible numbers for the Sagehens this season as he led the nation in home runs with 18 and slugging percentage at .888. Nishioka posted a .441 battings average to go along with 53 RBI, 48 runs scored and 67 hits.

Nishioka will end his career in the top-six all time in hits, home runs, batting average, runs and stolen bases and also ranks seventh in single season batting average (.441) and tied for third in home runs in a single season (18).

John Ghyzel, RHP, Rochester

Cincinnati Reds, 18th round, No. 527 overall

Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 200.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Centreville, Va.

John Ghyzel, a pitcher from Rochester who recently just completed his junior season for the Yellowjackets has been drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
 
The 6-foot-5, 200 pound Ghyzel is a right-handed hurler who went with the second pick of the 18th round (527 overall) on day three of the draft.
 
In 2017, Ghyzel went 3-2 on the mound in nine appearances (eight starts) for Rochester and tossed 42.1 innings, finishing with a 4.25 ERA and a team high 50 strikeouts. For his career at Rochester, he is 11-5 with a 3.97 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 136 innings.  The Centreville, Va., native is a two-time All-Liberty League performer, earning 1st Team accolades in 2016.
 
Ghyzel becomes just the second Rochester product to be drafted in the MLB draft, joining pitcher Michael Weiermiller who was selected in the 14th round (No. 348 overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 1981. Weiermiller played two seasons in the minors with the Twins organization.

Jackson Lourie, RHP, Rhodes

Atlanta Braves, 24th round, No. 710 overall

Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.

Rhodes senior pitcher Jackson Lourie was drafted in the 24th round, 710th overall, in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Atlanta Braves. Lourie is the first Rhodes player to be drafted by a MLB club in the history of the program.

This past season the right hander from Atlanta, GA posted a 1-2 overall record as a reliever and struck out 17 batters in 16 and 2/3 innings of work. Lourie began his collegiate pitching career six months ago and led the Lynx with 4 saves this year after being a three year starter at first and third base.

Rhodes head coach and Athletics Director Jeff Cleanthes believes Jackson was one of the best competitors he has ever coached. "After Jackson hurt his left hand in the middle of his junior campaign, he came to me wanting to help the team in any fashion and at that point we started converting him to a pitcher. He has a bright future and we are thrilled for Jackson and his family to have this opportunity," said Cleanthes.

Matt Seelinger, RHP, Farmingdale State

Pittsburgh Pirates, 28th round, No. 838 overall

Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 205.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Westbury, N.Y.

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected former Farmingdale State starting pitcher, Matt Seelinger in the 28th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Seelinger is the first-ever Farmingdale State player to be drafted. Over his career, he was named All-Conference and All-Region twice and in 2016 was the Skyline Pitcher of the Year.

This past season, he posted a 4-1 record with a 1.39 ERA. He led the team in innings pitched (51.2), earned run average, strikeouts (69) and opponents batting average (.159). He led the conference in strikeouts and opponents batting average and ranked 4th in the Nation in hits allowed per 9-innings (4.88), 6th in WHIP (0.85), 9th in earned run average and 16th for strikeouts per 9-innings (12.02).

Seelinger graduated from Farmingdale State as the all-time leader in strikeouts per 9-innings, ranked 2nd for total strikeouts, 3rd in opponents batting average and 5th in both innings pitched and wins.

Ryan Dorow, SS, Adrian

Texas Rangers, 30th round, No. 914 overall

Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 200.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: South Haven, Mich.

Adrian shortstop Ryan Dorow was selected in the 30th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, when he was selected by the Texas Rangers. Dorow was the 914th pick overall in the draft.

Dorow is a three-time D3baseball All-American (2014 third team, 2016 honorable mention, 2017 third team) and four-time all-region first team standout. He set school single-season records with 187 at-bats, 166 assists, 41 double plays turned and 112 total bases. He led the MIAA with 54 runs batted in, which ranks 13th in NCAA Division III, and eight triples for fifth in the country and batted .401. This spring, he became the school's career record holder in games started/played (179), sacrifice flies (15), assists (570), home runs (25), runs scored (179) and RBI (188). The sports management graduate ends his college career as the Division III active career leader with 267 hits, 57 doubles and 425 total bases. He also is the first three-time MIAA MVP of his sport. 

"This has always been a dream of mine since I was a young kid and for it to actually happen is amazing," Dorow said. "I'm so thankful for the gifts I've been given from the good Lord above. I couldn't have made it without all those gifts and the support from my girlfriend, family, and friends."

The shortstop is the second Bulldog ever drafted and the first since the Sherwin Rogers was drafted in the third round by the Orioles in 1974. 

"This is a great honor for Ryan and Adrian College baseball. The Texas Rangers drafted a baseball guy today," said coach Craig Rainey. "I know that Ryan will have a tough road ahead to get to major leagues, but I know one thing about him is he will show up and work every day.

"Ryan has paved his way to this day and being drafted through his hard work and dedication. He has spent his life on the baseball field and now gets to do what every little leaguer dreams of: playing professional against the best."

Dorow, who graduated with a sports management degree, ended his college career as the Division III active career leader with 267 hits, 57 doubles and 425 total bases.

 

Will Gorman, OF, RIT

Arizona Diamondbacks, 32nd round, No. 952 overall

Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 215.
Bats: Left. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Nassau, N.Y.

Former RIT baseball standout Will Gorman was selected in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Gorman was selected in the 32nd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, 952nd overall. He is the fourth Tiger to be selected overall in the MLB draft and first in 34 years.
 
Gorman wrapped up an incredible four-year career in 2017, helping lead the Tigers to a school record 33 wins, their first Liberty League championship, and berth in the NCAA Tournament. He appeared in all 42 games for the Tigers in 2017, shuttling between right field and center field. Offensively, Gorman set RIT single season records with 10 home runs, 50 runs scored, 34 walks, and 107 total bases. He also led the team with a .485 on-base percentage, 677 slugging percentage, 26 extra base hits and 43 RBIs. Gorman homered twice, scored four runs, drove in four runs, and reached base nine times in two NCAA Tournament games.
 
The honors rolled in for Gorman in 2017, as he was named the Liberty League Player of the Year, in addition to earning all-league first team honors for the third straight season. Gorman also earned ABCA All-New York Region and D3baseball.com first team honors for the third straight season. in 2017 and was a preseason honorable mention All-American pick. On May 8, Gorman was named RIT's Senior Co-Male Athlete of the Year.
 
Gorman is RIT's first three-time All-New York Region selection and the university's first three-time All-Liberty League first team pick. In addition, Gorman earned CoSIDA Academic All-District accolades. He exceled in the classroom as well with 3.58 grade-point average, earning his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, while also working on a master's degree in public policy.

"I couldn't be happier for Will," said RIT coach Rob Grow. "He is truly deserving of this honor not only as a player, but as a person. Will has worked hard day in and day out for years to get to this point. He is an incredible representative of our program."
 
Gorman finished his career as RIT's all-time leader with 27 homers and 155 RBIs, 343 total bases, and a .641 slugging percentage. He is also in the top-three in six other categories, including hits (195), runs scored (128), at-bats (536), doubles (35), triples (16) and walks (73).
 
Named the NCBWA Division III Hitter of the Week on April 27, Gorman was also a two-time Liberty League Performer and RIT Male Athlete of the Week in 2017. He was named to the Liberty League Championship All-Tournament Team for the second time in 2017 and also was a 2017 NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team selection.
 
Gorman joins Scott Makela (1975, Houston Astros – 10th Round, 230th selection), Jeff Hall (1980, Boston Red Sox – 4th Round, 101st selection), and Mickey Street (1983, Cleveland Indians – 10th Round, 247th selection) as the only Tigers to be selected in the MLB Draft.

"We are very excited to see Will take the next step in his baseball journey at the professional level," said Grow, who recently finished his 25th season at RIT in 2017.

Caleb Boushley, RHP, UW-La Crosse

San Diego Padres, 33rd round, No. 978 overall

Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 185.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Hortonville, Wis.

UW-La Crosse senior right-handed pitcher Caleb Boushley was taken in the 33rd round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the San Diego Padres. Boushley was the 978th player selected in this year's draft. 

He is the 11th player in UWL history to be drafted, including the second straight by the San Diego Padres. Outfielder Taylor Kohlwey was taken by the Padres in the 21st round in 2016.

Boushley was named to the 2017 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III All-America Second Team.  It marked the second straight season he earned ABCA/Rawlings All-America accolades after being selected to the 2016 first team. Boushley is the second player in school history to earn multiple ABCA/Rawlings All-America honors, joining Kohlwey, who was named to the 2014, 2015 and 2016 ABCA/Rawlings All-America First Team. Boushley is a two-time (2016, 2017) ABCA/Rawlings All-Midwest Region First Team selection and became the first pitcher in school history to earn the ABCA/Rawlings All-Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year award in 2016. 

Named to the 2017 D3baseball.com All-America Second Team, Boushley earned his second career D3baseball.com honor after being selected to the first team in 2016.  He is the third player in school history to earn multiple D3baseball.com All-America honors.  Kohlwey was a 2014, 2015 and 2016 first team choice while Justin Anderson earned 2015 honorable mention accolades and 2016 first team honors.

A two-time (2016, 2017) D3baseball.com All-Midwest Region First Team selection, Boushley was named the 2016 D3baseball.com All-Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year. He was voted to the 2015 and 2016 NCAA Division III Midwest Region All-Tournament Team.

A 2016 and 2017 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) First Team selection, Boushley finished 9-3 this season with a 1.75 earned run average. He led the WIAC in earned run average, innings (103.0), strikeouts (106) and starts (13) in 2017 while being tied for the league lead in wins (9) and opponents batting average (.202).  Boushley led UWL with six complete-games and three shutouts, allowing 20 earned runs in a school record 103.0 innings. He broke his own school record of 94.0 innings in 2016.  Boushley's 106 strikeouts in 2017 set a single-season school record, breaking the record of 86 by Dave Benedict in 1950.

Boushley ranks first in school history in wins (24), innings (264.2) and strikeouts (227) and second in career earned run average (2.28).  A transfer from UW-Fox Valley, Boushley finished 24-5 in his three-year career at UWL with 10 complete-games and four shutouts (second in school history).

UWL outfielder Charles Landis (1967, New York Mets) and pitcher Jerry Augustine (1974, Milwaukee Brewers) were both taken in the 15th Round, the highest draft choices in school history.  Pitchers Tom Klawitter (1980, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Joe Ohm (1998, Chicago Cubs) were both drafted in the 19th Round while pitcher Jack Gurholt (1979, Minnesota Twins) was a 20th Round selection.

Other UWL players drafted include pitchers Joel Effertz (2013, Miami Marlins, 28th Round), Dick Seidel (1982, New York Yankees, 29th Round), Dean Rockweiler (1986, Montreal Expos, 32nd Round) and Andy Elskamp (2000, Philadelphia Phillies, 36th Round).

David Hesslink, LHP, MIT

Seattle Mariners, 34th round, No. 1029 overall

Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 160.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.

MIT senior pitcher David Hesslink has been selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 34th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Hesslink joins teammate Austin Filiere as selections in this year's draft as he is just the fourth player in MIT history to be drafted. Filiere was picked a day earlier by the Chicago Cubs.

A two-time NEWMAC All-Conference selection and a 2017 CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-America honoree, Hesslink posted a 5-4 record in 2017 as he made 11 starts and threw 68.2 innings. Also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team in 2016, he is a three-time NEWMAC Academic All-Conference selection and as a freshman, he was named the NEWMAC Pitcher of the Year and the D3baseball.com New England Region Rookie of the Year.

Hesslink ends his MIT career as the program's all-time wins leader with a career mark of 24-10 overall. In 46 appearances and 41 starts, he threw four complete games over 268.1 innings with 177 strikeouts and a career earned run average of 3.02. Hesslink graduated from MIT with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Drew Fischer, RHP, Amherst

Pittsburgh Pirates, 35th round, No. 1048 overall

Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 210.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Winnetka, Ill.

Amherst RHP Drew Fischer was selected in the 35th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, when he was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fischer was the 1048th pick overall in the draft.

A junior, Fischer doesn't have a long track record at Amherst. He appeared in six games this season, all of them starts, striking out 30 (and walking 16) in 25.2 innings. He went 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA. Fischer is the second Amherst junior to be drafted in the past three seasons. 

What he does have is a big fastball, which was a big attraction.

"I am proud of Drew for all that he has accomplished because he dedicates himself to improving his own abilities, while supporting and caring deeply about his teammates. He embodies all that I hope Amherst athletes strive toward; in addition to success on the baseball field, Drew excels in the classroom and he is actively involved within the campus community," said Amherst baseball coach Brian Hamm. "Drew is very deserving of this opportunity; he has long dedicated himself to the goal of playing professional baseball and has matched this ambition with one of the most impressive and disciplined work ethics that I have ever seen of an athlete. His coaches and teammates are very excited for him!"

Preston White, OF, Birmingham-Southern

Los Angeles Dodgers, 38th round, No. 1150 overall

Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 215.
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.

White was selected in the 38th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft, when he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers. White, the final D-III baseball player selected, was the 1150th pick overall in the draft.

White had one of the best power bats for the Panthers this season, hitting a team-high 19 doubles and nine home runs. He batted .311 but had a .596 slugging, driving in 33 runs. He provided nearly as much value for the Panthers out of the bullpen this season, as he picked up four saves and had a 1.59 ERA in 15 outings. In 17 innings, he struck out 17 while walking just three. White was an honorable mention pick for All-Southern Athletic Association.