Recapping the 2018 MLB Draft: Oklahoma State edition

After a bit of a surprising wait, five Oklahoma State baseball players were selected on the third day of the 2018 MLB Draft. All of the draftees except senior Jon Littell could feasibly return next season, which should make for an interesting offseason for Oklahoma State and these athletes alike.

Johnathan Heasley: Kansas City Royals

Pick: Round 13, Pick #392

Right-handed pitcher Johnathan Heasley was taken by the Kansas City Royals in the 13th round. Heasley finished his sophomore season with a 5.96 ERA in 15 appearances. He was 4-6 in his starts, giving up 93 hits, 62 runs and 38 walks. He also struck out 79.

Heasley could be a steal for the Royals who seem to be stacking arms as they rebuild. If last week’s game against USF was in fact Heasley’s last, he went out with a bang. Against the Bulls, he pitched a complete game, giving up only one unearned run.

“The tall right-hander could be a top-three-round talent, but also can be inconsistent from start to start.”

Carson Teel: Washington Nationals

Pick: Round 16, Pick #491

The southpaw pitcher had a 4.34 ERA in 87 innings pitched in his 21 appearances with 11 starts and two complete games. Teel was named First-Team All-Big 12 his junior season, and was without a doubt the most consistent pitcher on the Cowboy staff. He was 8-4 on the year and had 91 strikeouts, the highest on the team.

Teel provided incredible leadership on a staff that was plagued with injuries all season. He gave up 43 runs on 83 hits and walked 38 batters. He was the bright spot on a struggling pitching staff this season.

From MLB Draft Tracker:

Teel is a crafty left-hander with average raw stuff that he is able to compete with by changing arm slots and using good command. He features a fastball that could regularly hit 94 mph if out of the bullpen, as well as a changeup and developing slider.

Matt Kroon: Philadelphia Phillies

Pick: Round 18, Pick #527

After a season where he broke out, Kroon has been selected by Philadelphia Phillies in round 18 as a third baseman. The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year had a .300 batting average. He scored 55 runs and had 39 RBIs in his junior season. He was a home run machine as well scoring 11 homers this season. He was also drafted by the Phillies last year in round 30.

Reza Aleaziz: Los Angeles Dodgers

Pick: Round 28, Pick #854

Right-hander Reza Aleaziz had a 4.47 ERA in his senior season with the Cowboys. Aleaziz appeared in 25 games, starting in 3. He held a record of 3-1 on the year. He gave up 26 runs on 47 hits in his 46 innings pitched. He struck out 33 batters and walked 26.

Jon Littell: Los Angeles Dodgers

Pick: Round 37, Pick #1124

Even with a .266 batting average in his senior season, Littell constantly came through in the clutch for the Cowboys this season. Like Teel, it was clear that Littell’s impact on the team went far beyond his production on the diamond. On the season, Littell had seven home runs and 42 RBIs. It will be interesting to see if, and how long, him and his fellow Dodger draftee Reza Aleaziz will stick together in the minor leagues. It would be pretty cool to see Littell, a Stillwater native, play in OKC for the Dodgers minor league affiliate.