Bobcat Talent in the MLB

Written by Caleb Davis

In the 2014 Major League Baseball draft, the Texas State Bobcats found four of their top players selected in the 40 round draft as major league teams saw a fit for Austen Williams, Garrett Mattlage, Tyler Pearson, and Taylor Black in the midst of their organization. Coming into this year’s draft Texas State had seen 47 players in it’s history picked up by Major League teams, and with the four this past weekend, head coach Ty Harrington builds upon his tenure as he has now coached 36 of the 51 Bobcats to have ever been drafted out of Texas State. Harrington, starting his career at Texas State in the year 2000 has been an influential part to the success of the former and current Bobcats that have been involved in the draft throughout his 14 years. 2014 marks the sixth consecutive season in which Texas State has seen a player drafted in the first 10 rounds dating back to Paul Goldschmidt who was taken in the 8^th round of the 2009 MLB draft.

On day two of the draft Austen Williams, the highest selected Bobcat this season, was picked up by the Washington Nationals in the 6^th round as the 184^th overall selection. Williams, a RHP from Fort Worth, TX found his junior season a career high for him as he led the team in several pitching and defensive categories. Finishing the season with a 3.65 earned run average and leading the team with 96 strikeouts, Williams was one of many bright spots on the Texas State roster that found it’s way to yet another 30 win season.

The next and final day of the draft, the Detroit Tigers selected Garrett Mattlage in the 12^th round (370^th Overall). Mattlage, a Junior, led the Bobcats this season in nearly every category including batting average, runs, hits, doubles, RBI, total bases, slugging percentage, walks, and on-base percentage.

Senior catcher Tyler Pearson heard his name called next for the Bobcats as the Chicago Cubs selected him in the 25^th round (739^th overall). Pearson this season featured career numbers as well in that he led the Sun Belt Conference in runners caught stealing.

The final Texas State Bobcat to be drafted was Taylor Black, a red-shirted junior who was able to pitch behind Austen Williams throughout this season with standout numbers of his own. Black, drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 26^th round (773^rd overall) led the weekend starters with a 2.85 earned run average as well as innings pitched for the Bobcats this season, coming second in strikeouts to Williams.

Along with the four current Bobcats taken in the draft this year, Texas State signee Robbie Dickey was picked up by the Washington Nationals in the 6^th round. Of the 4 draftees selected this season three of them were juniors, a hole Ty Harrington and his coaching staff will be looking to fill this upcoming off-season.