After going through their first losing season since 1985, the last thing the Sun Devils needed was to watch half of their 2017 recruiting class get drafted by major league teams.
Especially in the pitching department, ASU needs as many quality arms in the rotation and the bullpen that they can get.
On Tuesday, a pitcher was the first ASU signee drafted. With the 114th pick overall, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted Brendan Murphy in the fourth round. The southpaw out of Mundelein High School in Mundelein, Illinois pitched to a 1.99 ERA with a 9-1 record and he struck out 91 batters as a senior.
On Wednesday, six additional ASU signees were drafted. In the 11th round, the Philadelphia Phillies selected infielder Jake Holmes of Pinnacle High School in Phoenix with the 323rd pick overall. Then, 91 picks later, the Brewers snatched a second Sun Devil recruit, taking infielder Gage Workman out of Basha High School with the 414th pick overall in the 14th round.
Two more infielders and pitchers were selected. Alika Williams from San Diego, California, got his name called by the New York Yankees in the 32nd round (overall pick No. 962). Infielder Trevor Hauver out of Perry High School was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 37th round (overall pick No. 1110).
Skyline High School alum and pitcher Boyd Vander Kooi got his name called by the local team when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him in the 36th round (overall pick No. 1072). However, according to azcentral, Arizona's Player of the Year Vander Kooi told MLB clubs he intended to play at ASU for three years.
The final signee taken was Highlands Ranch, Colorado right hander Drake Davis. The Colorado Rockies drafted the Ralston Valley High School alum in the 38th round (overall pick No. 1136).
The ASU signees will have to decide if they want to go with the Major League organizations.
Pitcher Connor Higgins was the only current Sun Devil drafted. The Texas Rangers selected the sophomore in the 35th round Wednesday (overall pick No. 1064).
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the high school of a player. It has been updated to reflect the correct information.
Reach the reporter at jpjacqu1@asu.edu or follow @joejacquezaz on Twitter.
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