It took the second day to get a Razorback drafted, but several Razorbacks were taken.
By Harold McIlvain II
It was quiet day for the Arkansas Razorback baseball team during the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
But it didn’t take too long for a Razorback name to come off the board.
Staff ace Dallas Keuchel, a junior, will lead the team atop the rotation against Cal. State Fullerton Saturday at 1 p.m. CST in the College World Series, but he also was the first taken in the 2009 draft when he was selected in the seventh round (No. 221 overall) by the Houston Astros.
“This has been an amazing experience,” Keuchel said to the Arkansas Razorback official Web site. “Houston is a good organization, and I am happy to be with them. It is close to home so that is a bonus.”
Keuchel (7-3) posted a 4.04 ERA while striking out 62 and walking 28 this year.
Junior Stephen Richards went one road later in the eighth (No. 248) to the Florida Marlins.
“This is lifetime dream fulfilled” Richards said. “I just want to thank my family who has supported me throughout my baseball career.”
He posted a 1.82 ERA in 34.2 innings while striking out 50. He picked up nine saves for Arkansas this year.
It looks like senior infielders Scott Lyons and Ben Tschepikow could be teammates again next year as both were taken by the Kansas City Royals.
“I am obviously excited,” Lyons said. “But I was more excited to see that Ben was drafted by the same team. That surprised me a little, but hopefully we can continue our careers for years to come.”
Lyons was selected in the 15th round while Tschepikow went in the 17th round.
But those were not the only names from Arkansas that were taken.
Jake Sullivan and Adam Champion, who both played for the University of Arkansas-Little Rock baseball team, were taken 679 and 687 overall, respectievely.
Filed under: Sports | Tagged: Arkansas Razorbacks, MLB Draft
