Following the end of the NC State baseball season last weekend in the Raleigh Regional, five members of the Wolfpack had their names selected in the 2018 MLB draft.
This marks the fifth straight year that NC State has had at least four players selected, headlined by junior outfielder Brett Kinneman’s seventh-round selection. Here is a breakdown of the Pack’s selections, who have until Aug. 15 to sign:
Brett Kinneman, Junior, Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates, Round 7: Pick 204
For the second year in a row the Pirates picked an NC State outfielder, taking the power-hitting Kinneman in the seventh round. Last year, senior Brock Deatherage was taken by Pittsburgh in the 29th round.
Kinneman started his junior campaign incredibly strong, picking up two national player of the week honors, but slowed down significantly as the season went along. Kinneman finished the year with a .973 on-base plus slugging percentage, and clubbed a team-leading 17 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Kinneman now has a decision to make: to sign with the Pirates or return to NC State for a final season. The suggested slot value signing bonus for the 204th pick is $215,500. Last year’s 204th pick, junior college pitcher Bowden Francis signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for around $30,000 over his slot value. Kinneman’s offered signing bonus should be at least $200,000 with potential of going over the suggested slot value.
Brian Brown, Senior, Pitcher, Boston Red Sox, Round 9: Pick 280
Brown had a breakout senior season, and was named a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist and the ACC Pitcher of the Year. Brown compiled a 7-2 record and 2.74 ERA, striking out 98 batters in 98.2 innings while walking only 26. The stellar season paid off for Brown, who had never been previously drafted, as the Red Sox took a bet on the veteran arm in the ninth round.
The biggest downside to Brown’s game is his velocity, as the crafty lefty throws in the mid-80s at best. However, what Brown lacks in velocity he makes up with in a great changeup and proven ability to get people out and to continue to get better.
The suggested slot value for Brown is $144,600, and with no option to return to NC State, Brown should sign in the coming days.
Josh McLain, Senior, Outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers, Round 9: Pick 284
McLain had his name called by the Dodgers for the second year in a row, as Los Angeles picked him in the 14th round last year before jumping up five rounds to take him in the ninth this year.
McLain decided to return to NC State for his senior season, likely leaving a six-digit signing bonus on the table, and had an incredible final year to jump up into the top 10 rounds. McLain led the ACC with 94 hits, and batted a team-leading .344. The suggested slot value for the 284th pick is $143,600.
Brock Deatherage, Senior, Outfielder, Detroit Tigers, Round 10: Pick 285
Like McLain, Deatherage got drafted last year but decided to return, and helped his stock greatly by jumping up from the 29th round to the 10th round. Deatherage and McLain were picked back-to-back this year, with Deatherage being the first pick of the 10th round.
Deatherage had a strong bounce-back year in his senior season, hitting .307 with 14 home runs and a .397 on-base percentage. The decision to return to NC State for a final year will pay off big time for Deatherage, as his suggested slot value is $143,300.
Jack Conley, Junior, Catcher, Philadelphia Phillies, Round 27: Pick 797
Conley was a somewhat unlikely pick, having played on a very limited basis for the Pack this season after freshman Patrick Bailey took control of the starting catching job. Conley appeared in 21 games, hitting .333 in 33 at-bats with two home runs and 5 RBIs.
Conley has the option to return to NC State and not sign with the Phillies, but with Bailey returning and having full control of the catching spot, Conley’s place with the Pack is in question. There is no suggested signing bonus for picks after the 10th round, but the Phillies can sign Conley for up to $125,000 before he starts costing them money in their draft signing pool.
Conley was the final selection from the Pack in the 2018 draft, leaving a few names undrafted. Junior first baseman Evan Edwards, who hit 15 homers in his first year with the Pack, didn’t see his name selected. Redshirt senior pitcher Joe O’Donnell, who has battled injury but had a 1.48 ERA in 24 appearances this year, was also a notable player not picked.
