The MLB First-Year Player Draft concluded Wednesday afternoon and two of four Auburn prospects were chosen.
Trey Wingenter was the first Tiger to go, selected in the 17th round (507th overall) by the San Diego Padres. It marked the second time the right-hander had been drafted, following being chosen by the Seattle Mariners in round 36. The 6-foot-7 hurler made 21 appearances in 2015, six of them being starts managing 4 saves and 46 strikeouts for the Tigers.
Senior Rocky McCord was selected for the third time his career. In 2011 the then high school senior was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 39th round. In 2014 the Kansas City Royals selected McCord in the 31st round, but he chose to wait another year. His waiting paid off, and the Baltimore Orioles took the alum in the 26th round (793 overall). He finished his senior season 6-4 with a career-high 17 starts.
Three Auburn signees were drafted as well. Pitcher Grayson Jones of Shelton State was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round (330 overall). Pitcher Daniel Sprinkle, high school senior from White Hall, Arkansas was selected by the Indians in round 15 (454 overall). Sprinkle expressed to Pine Bluff Sports that he plans to sign with the Indians. Shortstop Yomar Valentin, son of 16 year MLB veteran Jose Valentin, was selected in the 20th round (591 overall) by the Boston Red Sox.
Prospects and newly eligible Sam Gillikin and Jordan Ebert went undrafted this year.
Auburn had at least one player selected in the MLB draft for 41 consecutive seasons, which ties for the second-longest active streak in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers are tied with Arkansas and trail Georgia.
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