Prospect Danville Dans

Five Dans Selected in 2016 MLB Draft

Published on June 14, 2016 under Prospect League (Prospect)
Danville Dans News Release


DANVILLE, IL - Three pitchers on the 2014 Danville Dans team, along with a current Dan and another from last year were selected in the 2016 MLB Draft.

Bryan Baker, a junior RHP from North Florida, was the 320th pick in the 11th Round by the Colorado Rockies. Baker went 2-2 in eight games (five starts) with the 2014 Dans squad. He struck out 44 while walking 14, and had a 2.87 ERA. He was selected as a mid-season All-Star in the Prospect League.

Baker was joined by teammate Ben Braymer, an LHP junior from Auburn. He was selected in the 18th Round by the Washington Nationals. Braymer started eight games for the Dans (with 12 total appearances), with 43 Ks and 27 walks.

Another 2014 Dans pitcher drafted was LHP Dalton Lundeen, taken in the 30th Round by the Detroit Tigers. The Valparaiso University senior was 3-1 in his six starts with the Dans, striking out 32 and walking just 7 with an ERA of 3.19.

A fourth draft pick was 2015 Dan RHP Robbie Gordon from Maryville University. He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 36th Round. He started 12 games for the Dans, striking out 55 while walking 24.

One current Dan was selected in this draft. Shortstop Josh Smith was taken in the 38th round by Detroit Tigers. Smith is on the Dans roster through a new Prospect League rule that allows each team to roster up to two high-ranked high school seniors prior to playing in college. Smith is committed to the LSU Tigers.

This year's draft of five players follows drafts of two in 2015, six in 2014, and a record 12 in 2013. The 2014 Dans drafted this year join teammates Ronnie Jebavy (SF Giants) and Paddy O'Brien (NY Yankees) as players selected from that squad.

"It's a great day to see more Dans picked in the MLB draft," said Dans managing partner Jeanie Cooke. "This is another sign that what we do here in Danville is develop players for their future in baseball."

Once signed, these players join over 200 Dans alumni past and present who have played professional ball - including 26 who have made it into an MLB uniform.

The Danville Dans are in their 29th season of wooden bat summer college baseball. The Dans are a founding member of the Prospect League, which was formed from the long-time Central Illinois Collegiate League - CICL.

For more information about the Danville Dans, including upcoming home game schedule, visit www.DanvilleDans.com.

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