If the 12 Ducks who were selected in last week’s MLB draft end up leaving Oregon, things might look a bit different at PK Park next year.
Six rostered players and six recruits were drafted last week. They have until July 17 to decide whether to sign with their respective professional teams or return to school to play another season. Their potential departures would undoubtedly impact the Ducks’ 2015 roster.
Garrett Cleavinger was selected in round three by the Baltimore Orioles. Oregon will miss its all-time appearances leader’s mid-90s fastball, which helped him average a whopping 14.85 strikeouts per nine innings in 2015. Cleavinger is one of the Ducks’ few reliable bullpen arms. His successor will be Stephen Nogosek, who was almost equally dominant as the set-up man last season.
Josh Graham, a utility player who Oregon leaned on in 2015, was taken in round four by the Atlanta Braves. He agreed to a $500,000 signing bonus, according to Baseball America. Graham spent time in the five-hole, behind the dish, in long relief and the starting rotation as a Duck.
He emerged and shined as Oregon’s Sunday starter down the stretch of the season. With Shaun Chase graduating, Tim Susnara is primed to be Oregon’s everyday catcher next season. With Matt Krook returning, David Peterson will occupy the Sunday starting role.
Mitchell Tolman, one of Oregon’s all-time great offensive producers, was selected in round seven by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Defensively, he was named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Gold Glove Team as a third and second baseman in 2015.
Transfer Matt Eureste may take over at third base, should he return to Oregon his senior year. Daniel Patzlaff and Kyle Kasser will be the main competitors at second base next season.
Scott Heineman, who played infield and outfield for Oregon, was chosen in round 11 by the Texas Rangers. Heineman gave Oregon a much-needed offensive spark down the stretch of the 2015 season, batting .290 with a .432 slugging percentage and team-high 16 steals.
Transfer Brandon Cuddy will likely take over at first base, where Heineman ended the season. The outfield position is up for grabs; Austin Grebeck and Nick Catalano may finally take the field simultaneously after their back-and-forth position battle over the last two seasons.
Conor Harber, who has now been drafted three times, was selected in round 16 by the Milwaukee Brewers despite a mediocre season with the Ducks. The junior college transfer became Oregon’s Friday starter while Cole Irvin regained strength in his throwing arm, but was relegated to long relief and spot start duties after several disappointing starts. Trent Paddon, Joe Reta, Jacob Corn and Jack Karraker (if he returns) will all contend for Harber’s midweek starting role.
Irvin, the ace of Oregon’s 2015 staff, was chosen in round 32 by the Pirates. His draft stock fell after a disappointing return from Tommy John surgery that caused him to redshirt his sophomore year. He will likely return to Oregon and remain a crucial component in the starting rotation rather than sign with Pittsburgh. He’ll compete with Matt Krook, who redshirted last season after Tommy John surgery, for the Friday starting role.
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted outfielder Demi Orimoloye, a top Oregon recruit from Ontario, in round four out of St. Matthew High School.
Pitcher Parker Kelly and outfielder Colton Sakamoto, who were teammates at Westview High School and Portland, were drafted in the 34th and 37th rounds by the St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners. Both have signed to play at Oregon.
Branden Becker, a shortstop at Cajon High School in San Bernardino, Calif., was drafted in the 17th round by the Orioles. Isaiah Carranza, a 6-5 right-handed pitcher from Damien High School in La Verne, California, was drafted in the 35th round by the Rangers. Third baseman Matt Kroon of Scottsdale, Arizona, son of former big leaguer Marc Kroon, was drafted in 38th round by the Cincinnati Reds. All have committed to play at Oregon.
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