Sahuarita High School Ballplayer Goes Pro With Oakland A's

TUCSON, AZ — Sahuarita High School's Jose Diochea signed a professional baseball deal with the Oakland A's in the MLB Draft's 8th round, worth an estimated $161,000. The right-hander is widely being reported as the first Arizona high school baseball player ever to make such a jump.

Recruiters zeroed in on Dicochea's fastball, which clocks in at 96 mph. He was signed to play for the University of Arizona before being picked.

Other local highlights include the University of Arizona's Nick Quintana, Cameron Cannon, Matt Frazier, and Avery Weems.

Cannon was selected in the 2nd round, 43 overall, by Boston for $1.73m million. Detroit picked Quintana not too long after for $1.58 million. Pittsburg took Frazier in the third, 95th overall. Weems went with Chicago.

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Orioles, Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman joined notable past players such as Carlos Correa, Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, David Price, Gerrit Cole, Justin Upton, Joe Mauer, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, and, of course, Alex Rodriguez to earn the distinction.

Rutschman, a switch-hitter, was the “consensus” best prospect in the draft, according to MLB.com. He can hit for average and power and knows the strike zone well, drawing many walks. He’s also “quality” on defense.

“He now becomes the face of the franchise,” MLB.com wrote.

Here are the top 10 players selected and their schools:

1. Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman, catcher, Oregon State
2. Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., shortstop, Colleyville, TX, Heritage High School
3. Chicago White Sox: Andrew Vaughn, first baseman, California
4. Miami Marlins: JJ Bleday, outfield, Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
5. Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene, outfield, Hagerty High School, Oviedo, FL
6. San Diego Padres: CJ Abrams, shortstop, Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, Roswell, GA
7. Cincinnati Reds: Nick Lodolo, pitcher, Texas Christian, Fort Worth, TX
8. Texas Rangers: Josh Jung, third baseman, Texas Tech, Lubbock, TX
9. Atlanta Braves: Shea Langeliers, catcher, Baylor, Waco, TX
10. San Francisco Giants: Hunter Bishop, outfield, Arizona State, Tempe, AZ

The draft was to continue Tuesday afternoon with rounds three through 10, then again on Wednesday with rounds 11 through 40. MLB.com was to livestream coverage of the rounds.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.