33 Pennsylvanians Picked in 2015 MLB Draft

By Justin Heinze:

Dozens of athletes from Pennsylvania were picked by Major League Baseball teams in 2015’s First Year Player Draft.

Two players were taken in the first round. Ian Happ, an outfielder from the Pittsburgh area and a University of Cincinnati graduate, was taken ninth overall by the Chicago Cubs.

Mike Nikorak, a high school senior and a pitcher out of Stroudsburg High School, was then taken 27th overall by the Colorado Rockies.

The third PA player was a little bit closer to home: Pottsville High School’s Travis Blankenhorn, an athletic, hard-hitting third-basemen who scouts say could play shortstop. He was drafted in the 3rd round, 80th overall, by the Minnesota Twins.

Just because a player is drafted does not mean that they will sign on to play in any capacity for the club. Many high schoolers that are drafted will go on to college, and many college players that are drafted either wind up playing in independent leagues or look for better offers elsewhere.

The Phillies selected four players from the area, including two relatives of former Phillies players Ruben Amaro Jr. and Mickey Morandini.

Other area players that were drafted, either from local colleges or high schools, included:

• Tommy Bergjans, Haverford College, Pitcher - Round 8, 252nd, Los Angeles Dodgers
• Austin Bossart, University of Pennsylvania, Catcher - Round 14, 414th, Philadelphia Phillies
• Ryan Hissey, University of Virginia (out of West Chester), Catcher, Round 14, 422nd, Toronto Blue Jays
• Max Almonte, Villanova University, Pitcher, Round 16, 491st, St. Louis Cardinals
• Kenny Koplove, Duke University (out of Philadelphia), Pitcher, Round 17, 504th, Philadelphia Phillies
• Ronnie Glenn, University of Pennsylvania, Pitcher, Round 22, 675th, Los Angeles Angels
• Andrew Amaro, University of Tampa (Philadelphia), Outfield, Round 35, 1044th, Philadelphia Phillies
• Brendon Little, Conestoga High School, Pitcher, Round 36, 1086th, San Francisco Giants
• Griffin Morandini, Garnet Valley High School, Centerfield, Round 39, 1164th, Philadelphia Phillies