The state’s Major League Baseball draft class is officially signed, sealed and delivered.
All six players with Rhode Island ties have agreed to professional contracts and will forego their remaining college eligibility. One more free agent will join the team in their respective minor league camps in the coming weeks and months.
Alex Clemmy signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Alex Clemmy was the only high school pick from the state in 2023, going from Bishop Hendriken to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. Coleman Pickard and Brett Wichrowski each came out of Bryant, and Mark Coley became the first University of Rhode Island draft pick in five years. Connecticut left-handers Andrew Sears and Zach Fogel — graduates of West Warwick and Cumberland, respectively — also heard their names called.
The days after the draft brought one more name – former Clippers and Rams Addison Kopack stood out. In the year He agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres following a strong summer campaign in 2021 and the spring of 2022.
Clemmy signed with the Rangers for $2.3 million, up $58 from $1,402,600.Th General selection. In order to keep Klemey away from Vanderbilt, Cleveland applied a savings of nearly $900,000. According to analysts, the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year has provided some of the best raw material in this year’s class with the Hawks.
Coleman Pickard signed with the Kansas City Royals
Pickard signed with the Kansas City Royals for $345,500, his full sixth-round value. The right-hander lit up the staff for the Bulldogs last season, posting a 3.43 earned-run average in 42 innings. Pickard struck out 59 with 12 walks and impressed in a pair of conference outings against Virginia Tech and Davidson.
Andrew Sears signed with the Detroit Tigers
Sears signed with the Detroit Tigers for $167,800 plus a $2,500 contingency bonus — a combined amount equal to his full draft pick in the 10th round. After cracking the cycle with the Huskies, he became the first Wizards draft pick in three decades, making 14 starts and sharing the team lead with 74 strikeouts. Sears dominated at Rhode Island College in 2022, earning Little East Pitcher of the Year honors before entering the transfer portal.
More:The long wait is over for West Warwick and Andrew Sears, who was taken in the 10th round of the MLB draft.
Brett Wichrowski signed with the Milwaukee Brewers
Wichrowski signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for an undisclosed bonus after being selected in the 13th round. The right-hander collected a team-high 64 strikeouts in 50 innings and went to an organization that picked 16 of his 21 pitches. Wichrowski and Pickard have done it four times in the last five years, while Bryant has celebrated multiple draft picks.
More:Two more players with RI ties will hear their names called in the MLB draft.
Mark Cole has signed with the Miami Marlins
Kohli signed with the Miami Marlins for $50,000. The outfielder missed last season due to injury but went in the 17th round – a team-high .643 slugging percentage and 2019 season with Pittsfield in the Futures League showed enough history. Kohli is the first URI player selected since right-hander Nick Johnson left for the Chicago White Sox in 2018.
Zach Fogel signed with the Boston Red Sox
Fogel signed with the Boston Red Sox for an undisclosed bonus. He made the most of his graduate transfer year at Connecticut, posting a 1.89 ERA in 34 relief appearances and earning a Big East All-Conference first-team selection. Fogel started his career at Brown and became a pitcher selected in the 18th round.
Addison Kopac signed with the San Diego Padres
Kopac signed with the Padres for an undisclosed bonus and will report to their spring training facility in Arizona. He worked as a catcher and infielder with the Rams, enjoying two extended hits at the plate. Kopack posted an .848 OPS with the Mystics in the New England Collegiate Baseball League and a 1.174 OPS with URI, collecting 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 35 walks in 54 games.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
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