Ryan Shinn, Carson Coleman & two UK commits drafted on final day of MLB Draft

On Monday Nick Mingione and the Kentucky baseball program watched signee Jackson Rutledge (Nationals) and current ace Zack Thompson (Cardinals) get selected in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft.

While no current or future Wildcats would hear their names called on Tuesday’s rounds 3-10 a handful got the call on Wednesday’s final day in rounds 11-40.

Here’s a look at all the future and current Wildcats taken:

Pitcher Lucas Knowles, Washington Nationals 14th Round (423)

Lucas Knowles is a left-handed pitcher committed to join the Wildcats as a JUCO transfer from Central Arizona Junior College. He became the second 2019 Kentucky commit to be selected by the Nationals joining first rounder Jackson Rutledge.

Baseball America listed Knowles as their 272nd ranked prospect for 2019 but the southpaw wasn’t selected until 423. Thus, there could be a case for Mingione and his staff to make that by coming to Kentucky and pitching in the SEC he could boost his draft stock.

Knowles still may choose to sign with Washington, but by falling to the 14th round when his Baseball America projection would have made him a 9th round, selection the Cats chances to keep Knowles’ commitment has increased.

Outfielder Oraj Anu, Boston Red Sox 16th Round (497)

Two rounds after Knowles was selected by the Nationals another Kentucky JUCO commit was selected as the Boston Red Sox took Oraj Anu with their 16th round selection.

This marks the second time the Red Sox drafted Anu who played his 2019 season at George Wallace community college in Alabama. The defending world champions previously took him out of high school in the 28th round in the 2017 draft.

Clearly, he was able to boost his draft stock in Junior College but still may choose to join the Wildcats in hopes of being drafted even earlier.

Pitcher Carson Coleman, Tampa Bay Rays 33rd Round (998)

Pitcher Carson Coleman became the second current Wildcat (Zack Thompson) to be selected in the 2019 draft as the Tampa Bay Rays selected the right-hander with their 33rd round pick.

The redshirt sophomore posted a 5.14 ERA out of the Kentucky bullpen in 2019 striking out 36 batters in just 27 innings of work.

After posting a bit of a high ERA but showing potential with the strikeout numbers look for Coleman to likely rejoin the Wildcats to improve his stock for next year’s draft.

Outfielder Ryan Shinn, New York Mets 34th Round (1018)

The final Kentucky affiliated player to hear his name called was senior Ryan Shinn. The New York Mets selected the New Jersey native with their 34th round pick.

Shinn led Kentucky with 17 home runs in 2019 as he finished the season with a .286 batting average.

Having graduated Shinn will not be back at UK; thus, look for him to sign and join the Mets organization.