Twelve Current and Former Bullfrogs Taken in MLB Draft
June 7, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Green Bay Rockers News Release
Twelve current and former Green Bay Bullfrogs were drafted in this week's Major League baseball draft.
The most notable selection was outfielder Mitch Haniger (Cal Poly), who went 38th overall to the Milwaukee Brewers. Haniger was taken with the pick Milwaukee received for losing Prince Fielder in free agency. While at Cal Poly, he led the Big West in home runs and RBI during the 2012 season.
Two other former players were drafted in the 10th round. Shortstop Joel Hutter (Dallas Baptist) went 312th overall to the Baltimore Orioles, and outfielder Josh Martin (Samford) went 323rd overall to the Cleveland Indians. Also going in the 300s was left-fielder Jonathan Walsh. He went to the Los Angeles Angels.
Current Bullfrog Elliot Waterman (San Francisco) was drafted fifth highest out of all the players on this list. He went in the 13th round, 414th overall to the Washington Nationals. Waterman will remain with the Bullfrogs throughout the next few weeks as he makes his decision on whether or not to sign.
Two other current Bullfrogs, Austin Elkins (Dallas Baptist) and Tyler Olson (Gonzaga), went in the 500s. Olson went 529th overall to the Oakland As, and Elkins went 579th overall to the Houston Astros. Neither player has joined the team so far this season.
Green Bay manager Jordan Bischel said the fact that three current players were drafted is thrilling, rather than disappointing for the Bullfrogs.
"It may cost our team a player or two at some point, but the goal of these guys is to play pro baseball," Bischel said. "So this is obviously exciting."
Bischel said it's still up in the air whether or not the current players will sign with the clubs that drafted them, or decide to return to school and stick around with the Bullfrogs for the summer.
"Waterman will continue pitching. He's not in a hurry to sign. He knows that he probably has more than a 13th round pick in him, so it's entirely possible he goes back to school."
"(Elkins and Olson) are not in town yet. Having just been drafted (Wednesday), I'm not entirely sure where they stand. There's still a decent chance they come play, but they may sign as well."
Five other former Bullfrogs were also drafted. Owen Jones (Portland) went 596th to the Dodgers. Jacob House (Texas A&M) went 633rd overall to the Diamondbacks. Austin Blaski (Marietta) went 655th overall to the Brewers. Paul Hoenecke (UW Milwaukee) went 747thoverall to the Dodgers, and Alec Mehrten (Fresno Pacific) went 768th overall to the Rockies.
"It's always an exciting time of year," Bischel said. "Having 10 former players get drafted is a pretty cool deal, it's probably one of the higher totals in the league. All but one went in the first 25 rounds, so they were pretty significant picks. It's very good for our organization."
Northwoods League Stories from June 7, 2012
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- Waterloo Evens Series against Stingers, 10-2 - Willmar Stingers
- Moore Duo Leaves Thunder Bay Thunderstruck - Mankato MoonDogs
- Foss Outlasts Bellin in Pitchers Dual to Give Mallards 1-0 Win - Madison Mallards
- Honkers Hold on to Even Series in Duluth - Rochester Honkers
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- Another Close Game Leaves Chinooks on Top - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Mallards Welcome Bullfrogs to the "Duck Pond" - Madison Mallards
- Bryan Holaday Gets Call to Big Leagues - Northwoods
- MLB Continues to Draft MoonDogs - Mankato MoonDogs
- Ten Honkers, Past and Present, Drafted in 2012 - Rochester Honkers
- Twelve Current and Former Bullfrogs Taken in MLB Draft - Green Bay Rockers
- A Week of Firsts at Kapco Park - Lakeshore Chinooks
- MoonDogs Declaw Border Cats - Mankato MoonDogs
- Rox Trounce Beetles - St. Cloud Rox
- Sorenson's Homer Keys Mallards 2-1 Win over Bullfrogs - Madison Mallards
- Beetles Blasted by Rox - Alexandria Beetles
- Rafters Roll into First Behind 100,000th Fan - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
