Eight members of the NC State baseball team were selected in the 2017 MLB Draft this week, the largest draft class for the program since nine student-athletes were drafted in 2008. Here is a look at which players were selected and what organization picked them:
Joe Dunand, Round 2: Pick 51, Miami Marlins
The power-hitting junior shortstop was the only member of the Pack selected during the first two days of the draft and is now a two-time MLB Draft pick. He was selected in the 35th round by the Cleveland Indians after high school, but elected to play for the Pack instead. Dunand is the highest drafted NC State player since Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner both got picked in the first round in 2014.
Dunand, a 6-foot-2 power threat, launched 29 home runs and tallied 132 RBIs during his time at State. He was the team leader in both categories in 2017, hitting a career-best 18 home runs and 51 RBIs. The Marlins took an early gamble on the hometown kid, as Dunand is from Miami, and was projected to be a late-third round pick.
Evan Mendoza, Round 11: Pick 334, St. Louis Cardinals
This marks the second-straight year that the Cardinals have selected an NC State player in the draft, having picked catcher Andrew Knizner in the seventh round in 2016. Mendoza, a junior, entered the NC State program as a pitcher, but moved to third base after his freshman year.
Mendoza is an elite defender at third base, and has a knack for making the spectacular play. In 2016 Mendoza led the Pack with a .362 batting average, but regressed to hit just .262 in 2017. He is very patient at the plate, having walked 28 times in 2017. Mendoza also puts the ball in play, having only struck out 56 times in his two years as a position player.
Josh McLain, Round 14: Pick 430, Los Angeles Dodgers
McLain had a breakout season in 2017, as he led the Pack in doubles with 21 and hit .311. The junior from Hiddenite, North Carolina is small at just 6 feet and 165 pounds, but makes up for that with his speed. He stole 11 bases this past year, and also utilizes his speed to be an above average center fielder.
McLain rocketed up the draft boards thanks to his stellar 2017, in which he became one of the most consistent players for a very deep Pack squad.
Andy Cosgrove, Round 17: Pick 496, Minnesota Twins
Cosgrove, a junior, played just one season with the Pack after transferring from Santa Barbara City College. Cosgrove moved into the starting catcher position for State, where he excelled all season defensively for the team. At the plate, Cosgrove hit .284 with a .363 on-base percentage. Cosgrove is an excellent defensive catcher, that can handle the bat moderately well.
Tommy DeJuneas, Round 26: Pick 792, Cleveland Indians
The junior righty was the first State pitcher taken in the draft. DeJuneas was brilliant during his freshman season in 2015, compiling a 3-3 record and 1.82 ERA in 24 appearances. However, he regressed greatly in 2016, struggling and posting a 6.37 ERA in the same number of games. This year, he was slightly better but not great, with a 4-0 record but a 4.22 ERA. DeJuneas has had his struggles, but has also shown signs of brilliance at State.
Brock Deatherage, Round 29: Pick 868, Pittsburgh Pirates
Deatherage, a junior from Burlington, was a highly-touted draft prospect heading into the 2017 season but failed to live up to expectations. After hitting .317 his sophomore season with a .395 on-base percentage, Deatherage hit just .218 this year. However, Deatherage still has a strong throwing arm in right field and blazing speed, having swiped 29 stolen bases over his three seasons with the Pack in 39 attempts.
Cody Beckman, Round 30: Pick 894, Milwaukee Brewers
The redshirt junior lefty was well used out of the Pack bullpen this season, making 17 appearances for State. He was 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA and struggled with his command, walking 22 batters in 26 innings pitched. While he did rack up 23 strikeouts, Beckman wasn’t exceptional for State.
Tim Naughton, Round 34: Pick 1,028, Baltimore Orioles
Naughton is a 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher. The redshirt sophomore has not been used much at State, compiling only 14 appearances in his two seasons. In 2017, Naughton pitched 12 innings and struck out 13 batters while putting together an ERA of 3.00.
