6:00: Morning News

Record-tying six West Virginia players chosen in MLB draft

West Virginia junior John Means became a 13th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday—one of six Mountaineers drafted over the weekend.

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With four more players chosen on the third and final day of the MLB draft, West Virginia tied a program record with six selections.

Left-handed pitcher John Means went to Baltimore in the 11th round on Saturday and right-hander Sean Carley was picked by the Yankees in the 14th. Both juniors are projected to sign pro contracts.

Two WVU seniors also were drafted: first baseman Ryan McBroom by Toronto in the 15th round and pitcher Corey Walter by Oakland in the 28th.

Pitcher Harrison Musgrave and center fielder Bobby Boyd had been selected Friday in the eighth round.

West Virginia also must await outcomes of two incoming signees who were drafted. Tampa Bay used a 16th-round pick on left-handed pitcher Greg Maisto of McLennan (Texas) Community College and the Dodgers devoted a 38th-round spot on incoming freshman left-hander Caleb Ferguson of West Jefferson, Ohio.

One somewhat surprising omission from the draft list was junior second baseman Billy Fleming, whose .351 average ranked second to Boyd’s .356 in the Big 12 this season.

Means, who went 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 12 starts this season, told the school’s website: “I’m very proud to stand alongside the other guys picked to represent WVU at the next level.”

Toronto chose Ryan McBroom in the 15th round with the 444th overall pick.

He declined to sign with the Braves in 2011 after being a 46th-round pick.

Carley, who waited out the draft from his home in Florida, said he was “ecstatic and honored to join such a storied program as the Yankees,” even though the franchise notoriously requires players maintain a clean-cut look.

“I guess I have to cut the mullet and goatee now!” Carley said.

The power-hitting McBroom passed on a 34th-round selection by Kansas City in 2013 in order to play his senior season in Morgantown. He put together promising numbers, pacing West Virginia with eight home runs and 49 RBIs and ranking third in the Big 12 with a .341 batting average.

“I just want to thank everyone for the unbelievable opportunity, especially the Blue Jays,” he said. “I’m excited to get this thing going.”







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