An Elite Eight
- Updated: June 15, 2017
The Major League Baseball draft took place over the last few days and eight former Falcons were selected. These elite eight have taken another major step in reaching their dream of playing in the “show.”
The first former Falcon that was selected was Riley O’Brien who’s stay in the Okanagan was short lived. In 2014 he appeared in just one game and faced two batters, allowing a hit and getting a hitter to fly out. He was drafted in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Then in the 12th round Andre Jackson was taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jackson played the summer of 2015 hitting .263 collecting 26 hits, five doubles, a pair of homeruns, 20 RBI and swiped four bags.
In the 17th round Jeff Bohling heard his named called by the Colorado Rockies. He played the 2013 summer in Kelowna coming off his freshman season at Gonzaga. He hit just .169 with 10 hits, a double and six RBIs. After that summer, Bohling improved rapidly at Gonzaga becoming a threat both at the plate and in the field.
Catcher Colton Waltner (pictured) played for the Falcons in 2014 collecting 26 hits, four doubles, a homer and nine RBIs while hitting .277. Yesterday he was taken in the 21st round by the Minnesota Twins.
Also in the 21st round pitcher Leif Strom was taken by the Washington Nationals. While a Falcon last summer Strom was 1-3 with a 4.09 ERA, striking out 13 over 22 innings.
In 2012 Troy Conyers had just graduated high school and got his first taste of collegiate baseball with the Falcons. The infielder hit .242 with 15 hits, four doubles a homerun and eight RBIs. He grew into a very good talent with the University of San Diego and the Atlanta Braves grabbed him in the 23rd round.
The World Series champion Chicago Cubs are always looking to add pitching to their farm system and they got a good prospect in Brady Miller in the 23rd round. Miller threw for the Falcons in 2015, finishing 6-0 with a 2.18 ERA, striking out 23 over 37 innings pitched.
The final Falcon taken was Colby Nealy in the 35th round by the Dodgers. Last summer in Kelowna he finished 1-3 with 5.66 ERA and fanned 21 batters over 41.1 inning pitched.
Friday night the Falcons return home to face the Yakima Pippins at 6:35pm. Tickets are available HERE
Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography
Related Posts
Sponsors
