The Oakland Athletics rounded out Day 1 of the 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft taking Logan Shore, their third pitcher in as many picks.
A “Baseball America” First Team All-American, Shore was college teammates with Oakland’s first selection (No. 6 overall) A.J. Puk at the University of Florida. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder was taken in the second round (No. 47 overall) despite expectations that he would go in the first.
Along with his All-American honors, Shore was selected as the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year and carries the role of Friday-night starter — the equivalent to the staff ace. And his numbers support those distinctions.
Through 16 starts in 2016, Shore boasts an 11-0 record with a 2.44 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 92-1/3 innings (7.8 per nine innings). He has also limited his walk totals to 15 (1.5 per nine innings), posting a respectable 5.3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Of his SEC Pitcher of the Year selection, the Coon Rapids, Minn. native told Ron Haggstrom of Star Tribune:
“It’s hard to put into words how big of an accomplishment that is. To be considered one of the top pitchers in the SEC is pretty special.”
Shore was previously selected in the 29th round of the 2013 draft by his hometown Minnesota Twins but chose to attend college, where he became a dominant force.
After a 7-4 record and 2.16 ERA in his freshman year, Shore was named a Louisville Slugger Third Team All-American, and Baseball America Freshman All-American. Entering his sophomore season, Shore was placed on the USA Baseball Golden Spikes — the college baseball most valuable player — Preseason Watch List. He was also named the SEC Freshman of the year.
He followed up the dominant campaign with an 11-6 record and 2.72 ERA. He was named, once again alongside Puk, to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
Florida Gators Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan told Haggstrom that after three productive seasons in the NCAA the righty is ready for professional baseball:
“He’s a low-maintenance pitcher, and ready to be a professional player. Logan knows what he needs to do in order to be successful.”
Like Puk, Shore will get the ball during the NCAA Super Regionals, which take place Friday, June 10 through Monday, June 13. The second-round pick will likely get the ball in Game 1 of the series, scheduled for a 3 p.m. (PT) first pitch on Saturday, before watching his current- and future-teammate Puk take the mound in Game 2 on Sunday.
Kalama Hines is SFBay’s Oakland Athletics beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @HineSight_2020 on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of A’s baseball.
Last modified June 11, 2016 12:06 am
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