Estep, Janas, Lane Get The Call

Former Kenosha Kingfish players Chase Estep, Justin Janas and Carmine Lane got the call all ballplayers dream of during this week’s 2022 MLB Draft in Los Angeles, CA.

Estep was the first former Kingfish to be drafted, and he was the only one to be selected on day two of the draft. He was selected in the ninth round at 269th overall by the New York Mets. 

The infielder out of Kentucky hit two home runs and 22 RBIs while batting .294 for the Kingfish in 2021. He then exploded with 13 homers, 49 RBIs (both best on the team) and hit .302 as a Wildcat this past summer. 

Estep was a college teammate of James McCoy and Michael Dallas, both of whom suited up for Kenosha this season. 

Janas was selected next to begin day three of the draft. The Illinois infielder was picked in the 12th round at pick 365 by the 2021 World Series Champion Atlanta Braves. 

The Homer Glen, Illinois native played for the Kingfish in 2020 and 2021 and posted two homers with 43 RBIs while batting .402 in the latter year. 

He then carried his momentum into 2022 with the Illini by belting six home runs and 37 RBIs while batting .343 (third on the team) last spring.

Current Kingfish first baseman Drake Westcott will aim to take Janas’ spot in Champagne next spring after his recent transfer to Illinois.

Carime Lane was the last former Kenosha player to be picked in the 2022 Draft. The South Florida infielder was selected in the 19th round at pick 365 by the Miami Marlins. 

Lane hit four long balls and 19 RBIs with a .380 on-base percentage for the Kingfish in 2021. 

The Delray Beach, Florida native hit 22 home runs and 105 RBIs in three years as a Bull. Lane finished with a career high in RBIs (54), batting average (.332), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.523), and on-base plus slugging (.914) in 2022. 

All players will embark on their journey into the league pending the signing of their respective contracts.

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