MARIANNA, FL
Chipola's banner year continued the past few days as the 2017 MLB Draft wrapped up this evening in New York City. The Indians, fresh off of their 2017 NJCAA National Championship, had 10 players selected in this year's player draft. Since the draft and follow era ended, this has been the most players Chipola has had drafted in one year.
"It is a true testament to the type of kids we had this year. They worked their tails off, put the team first, and played the game the right way. When you do that, good things happen. And it showed this year by winning a National Championship and having this many drafted. I'm happy for our kids and for our program," said Head Coach Jeff Johnson.
Johnson has led Chipola for twenty seasons. During his tenure, 98 players have been drafted out of Chipola. And, even more players have gone on to 4-year schools to pursue their education while eventually being drafted at that particular school. Johnson has coached 16 players that have made it to the Big Leagues. Four of them are MLB All-Stars (Jose Bautista, Russell Martin, Patrick Corbin, & Adam Duvall).
Draft Rundown
Reynaldo Rivera | Round 2 | Pick #57 | Detroit Tigers
Evan Steele | Comp B | Pick #73 | Kansas City Royals
Andrew Bechtold | Round 5 | Pick #136 | Minnesota Twins
Jose Caballero | Round 7 | Pick #202 | Arizona Diamondbacks
Bowden Francis | Round 7 | Pick #204 | Milwaukee Brewers
Riley Cabral | Round 13 | Pick #382 | Arizona Diamondbacks
Brody Wofford | Round 14 | Pick #407 | Cincinnati Reds
Junior Harding | Round 17 | Pick #497 | Cincinnati Reds
Andrew Carber | Round 30 | Pick #911 | Boston Red Sox
Edmond Americaan | Round 34 | Pick #1034 | Texas Rangers
Incoming Indians Drafted
Harrison Francis | Round 4 | Pick #112 | Arizona Diamondbacks
Terry Fuller | Round 15 | Pick #454 | St. Louis Cardinals
Former Indians Drafted
Kevin Santa (Tampa) | Round 19 | Pick #573 | Seattle Mariners
Franklin Van Gurp (FIU) | Round 25 | Pick #756 | San Francisco Giants
Laz Rivera (Tampa) | Round 28 | Pick #837 | Chicago White Sox
Wood Myers (Coastal Carolina) | Round 29 | Pick #874 | St. Louis Cardinals
Tyler Osik | Round 40 | Pick #1198 | Pittsburgh Pirates