Gainesville, FL – The 2016 MLB First Year Player Draft is in the books, and when it was all said and done three current and three former Saints were selected by Major League Baseball franchises. The teams will have until July 15 to sign the players to contracts.
Right handed pitcher Trent Johnson was the first player off the board for Santa Fe, going to the New York Mets in the 16 round (490th pick overall). Johnson caught the attention of scouts early in his career with his ability to throw strikes, and solidified his place in the draft with eight stellar innings at the JUCO World Series against Iowa Western. He is the all-time winningest pitcher in SF history with 17 victories and is second all-time in strikeouts with 162. He lost just three games in 27 career starts.
Troy Bacon was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 37th round (1100th pick). Bacon, a right handed pitcher with a fastball in the 94-96 MPH range, has signed next year to continue at Santa Fe College, and will now have a decision to make by July 15 on his future plans. Bacon finished his first season at SF as the all-time leader in saves with 15 and struck out 59 in 44 innings.
The third and final current SF player off the board was right handed pitcher David Lee. Lee, a signee with the University of Florida for next season, was taken by the San Francisco Giants in the 38th round (1145th pick). Lee was 6-2 with a 4.00 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched in 2016.
Three former Santa Fe players were also selected. Roger Gonzalez, currently at Winthrop University, was taken in the 22nd round by the Oakland Athletics, Colby Lusignan (lander University) was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 28th round, and Casey Scoggins (University of Tampa) was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 39th round.
For complete schedules, stats, and more information please visit www.santafesaints.com.