Minnesotans in 2016 MLB Draft

By foxsports
Published

RHP Logan Shore (6-2, 215), Coon Rapids (Florida), round 2, pick 47 (Oakland): Shore, a junior, has been the Gators' Friday-night starter during his three years in Gainesville. He's a strike-throwing machine, according to mlb.com, who's strong, durable, has an average fastball, strong changeup and inconsistent breaking ball. The site projects him as a back-end-rotation starter who will be quick to the major leagues. The Twins drafted him in the 29th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

OF Ryan Boldt (6-2, 210), Red Wing (Nebraska), round 2, pick 53 (Tampa Bay): Was one of the best high school position prospects in 2013 draft, according to mlb.com, but tore meniscus in right knee. Batted .288 (74 for 257) as a junior in 2016 with five home runs, 30 RBI, 20 walks and 36 strikeouts. Drafted in the 22nd round by the Red Sox out of high school.

RHP Nick Hanson (6-5, 210), Prior Lake (Prior Lake HS), round 3, pick 79 (Cincinnati): Became the third Minnesota high school pitcher selected in the first three rounds in the past 25 years, according to mlb.com. Has a fastball that tops out at 96 mph and has a power curveball. Was named Gatorade state player of the year.

LHP Dalton Sawyer (6-4, 190), Waconia (Minnesota), round 9, pick 262 (Oakland): Throws in the 91-93 mph range, according to mlb.com. Was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection in 2016. Posted 3.33 ERA in 94 2/3 innings (16 starts) with 112 strikeouts and 42 walks. Finished four-year Minnesota career with 228 strikeouts, 70 appearances and 3.61 ERA.

OF Matt Fielder (5-10, 195), Eagan (Minnesota), round 9, pick 286 (St. Louis): Hit .366 (87 for 238) with eight home runs, 39 RBI, 18 walks and 28 strikeouts in 2016 to earn Big Ten Player of the Year honors. No. 3 hitter in Minnesota's lineup. Hit or reached base safely in 53 of 58 games this season.

LHP Zach Muckenhirn (6-1, 185), Delano (North Dakota), round 11, pick 331 (Baltimore): Posted 3.58 ERA in 92 2/3 innings (13 starts) in 2016 with 99 strikeouts and 14 walks. Finished UND career with 3.85 ERA in 38 starts.

LHP Max Knutson (6-2, 205), Arden Hills (Nebraska), round 12, pick 361 (Baltimore): Posted 4.38 ERA in 17 appearances (five starts) in 2016, pitching 37 innings with 34 strikeouts and 22 walks. Was 2013 consensus high school player of the year in Minnesota, leading Mounds View High School to first state title.

C Austin Athmann (6-2, 215), Cold Spring (Minnesota), round 14, pick 415 (Detroit): Batted .374 (73 for 195) with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 14 walks and 34 strikeouts. Tallied 23 multi-hit games and held a 26-game on-base streak in 2015.

1B Alex Wojciechowski (6-5, 230), Coon Rapids (Minnesota Duluth), round 15, pick 437 (Philadelphia): Batted .442 (99 for 224) with 33 home runs, 101 RBI, 26 walks and 25 strikeouts in 2016. Earned Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-America honors.

RHP Ryan Schlosser (6-4, 190), St. Paul (Century College), round 32, pick 949 (Atlanta): Posted 3.66 ERA in 71 1/3 innings this season with 79 strikeouts and 18 walks in 2016. Played high school ball for South St. Paul.

RHP Matt Wallner (6-4, 220), Forest Lake (Forest Lake HS), round 32, pick 963 (Minnesota): Committed to the University of Southern Mississippi. High school team went 20-6 in 2016.

LHP Ryan Boelter (6-2, 240), South St. Paul (Gardner-Webb), round 33, pick 986 (Chicago White Sox): Posted 3.25 ERA in 19 appearances (six starts, 63 2/3 innings) with 67 strikeouts and 32 walks in 2016. Played two seasons at Iowa Central Community College before Gardner-Webb.

IF Tyler Wolfe (6-0, 190), Maple Plain (Kansas State), round 39, pick 1177 (Houston): Hit .284 (61 for 215) with three home runs and 37 RBI in 2016, starting every game (primarily at shortstop). Played at Des Moines Area Community College for two years before Kansas State.