The Big Ten Tournament champion Ohio State baseball team followed a roller coaster end to its season with an all-time program showing in the 2016 MLB Draft. Six Buckeyes were selected in total over the three-day draft, which was best in the Big Ten and the best showing in the MLB Draft for Ohio State since 1992.
Ronnie Dawson, the 2016 Big Ten Tournament MVP, was Ohio State's highest player drafted. The Houston Astros selected him with the No. 61 overall pick in the second round on Thursday. He's the highest Buckeye selected in the MLB Draft since Alex Wimmers went No. 21 in the first round to the Minnesota Twins in 2010.
NEWS | Dawson taken in the second round by @astros last night.
— The OSU Baseball (@OhioState_BASE) June 10, 2016
https://t.co/HjqtY070UX
#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/oeJBznmglZ
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Troy Montgomery in the eighth round on Friday. Montgomery was an All-Big Ten performer last season, but struggled at the beginning of his junior campaign. He came on strong and even secured a spot on the All-Big Ten Tournament Team this year. His 35 stolen bases as a sophomore is a program record for a single season. His 59 career steals rank fourth for a career at Ohio State.
Congrats, @tmontgomery08! #GoBucks #MLBDraft2016 pic.twitter.com/XDbwNBqGSF
— The OSU Baseball (@OhioState_BASE) June 10, 2016
Major League Baseball programs drafted four more Buckeyes today. The Colorado Rockies selected Jacob Bosiokovic in the 19th round. The White Sox selected Michael Horejsei in the 21st round. The Mets selected team captain and first-team All-Big Ten performer Nick Sergakis in the 23rd round. Ohio State's final pick of the day came when the Cleveland Indians selected All-Big Ten performer and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Tanner Tully in the 26th round.
The six players drafted through 30 rounds of the MLB Draft is a best since 1992 when seven Buckeyes were taken (including two in the fifth round). The six players drafted overall matches the number of Buckeyes selected in the 1998 MLB Draft, though two of those six draftees came in the 37th and 41st rounds.
The great showing for Ohio State baseball in this draft is a testament to the kind of season the Buckeyes had down the stretch, though it does speak to the holes on the roster Greg Beals will need to fill next season.
Ohio State fans will look forward to seeing these names rise through the ranks of the minors before they hopefully reach the show before their playing days are done.
