The 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft wrapped up on Wednesday night and after 40 rounds the Madison Mallards had a total of eleven former players selected. As a whole, the Northwoods League had 180 current and former players selected.
Right-handed pitcher Troy Bacon (Santa Fe College) was selected in the fourth round by the Atlanta Braves. Bacon posted a 6-2 record through 34.2 innings pitched last season with the Mallards. He racked up 53 strikeouts while walking only eight. In his two-year career at Santa Fe, Bacon set the career mark for saves with 23, and holds the best ERA in school history at 1.18 (11 ER in 83.2 innings pitched).
Connor Ryan, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Illinois-Chicago, was selected in the eighth round by the Cincinnati Reds. Ryan spent the 2014 summer with the Mallards and pitched 19.1 innings. He tallied 15 strikeouts and walked five. During his career at UI-Chicago, Ryan pitched 123 innings and posted a 7-5 record while allowing opposing batters to hit just .262.
Shortstop Matt McCann, a senior at Fairleigh Dickinson, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 25th round. McCann batted .263 and drove in 22 runs in 64 games last year for the Mallards. He also was a threat on the base paths as he stole 26 bases. McCann posted a .332 average during his four-year career at Fairleigh Dickinson. He also stole 78 bases, a team record, and got on base at a .413 clip. This spring, he led the NEC in batting average, hits, and stolen bases.
Zach Jarrett, an outfielder from UNC-Charlotte, was picked in the 28th round by the Baltimore Orioles. Jarrett spent last season in Madison and batted .263 while tallying 57 RBI and hitting nine home runs. Jarrett had a phenomenal career at UNC-Charlotte as he started 203 games in the Knights outfield. He posted a .268 career average and had 26 home runs and knocked in 127 runs.
Other former Mallards that were selected were Collin Brockhouse (24th round), Jesse Mendrano (31st round), Andrew Beckwith (32nd round), Ronell Coleman (34th round), Logan Browning (37th round), Christian Tavgner (37th round), and Justin Watts (37th round). Mendrano and Brockhouse were both featured on the Mallards roster last season while the rest of the draftees were in Madison during 2014 or 2015.
The Mallards host the Green Bay Bullfrogs tonight at Warner Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM and gates are set to open at 5:00 PM. To listen live to all Mallards games, tune into The Zone 106.7 FM or 1670 AM. For more Mallards coverage, visit mallardsbaseaball.com.
