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The ASU baseball team had five players drafted in this year’s draft, and two recruits that signed to Arizona State for the 2019 season.
The two Sun Devil signees selected were pitchers Connor Van Scoyoc and Tyler McKay. Van Scoyoc was taken in the 11th round by the Angels, and McKay was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 16th round.
Van Scoyoc, the 6-5, 240-pound brother of current Sun Devil sophomore pitcher Spencer Van Scoyoc, is headed to the pros, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register confirmed.
“I never dreamed of playing in Omaha and winning a College World Series,” Van Scoyoc told the Des Moines Register. “I always dreamed about playing at Wrigley Field or Busch Stadium — that’s where I want to be.”
McKay, a Howard College (Texas) transfer, has yet to make a decision.
Five current Sun Devils drafted
Junior outfielder Gage Canning was the first Sun Devil off the board, selected in the fifth round and pick No. 161 by the Washington Nationals. Canning had three tremendous seasons in Tempe making the All-Pac-12 First Team and All-Defensive Team his junior season. He hit .327 for his career at ASU.
Junior right-handed pitcher Fitz Stadler was the next player selected. The Toronto Blue Jays took him in the 18th round (536th overall). This was a bit surprising. Stadler had a 5.56 ERA in 13 games for ASU his junior year. He also walked and struck out 18 batters. The 6-foot-9 right-hander has a ton of upside but will need to iron out his control issues in order to have success in professional baseball.
Senior left-handed pitcher Eli Lingos was picked by the Cleveland Indians with the 673rd pick in the 22nd round. Lingos had a solid senior season with a 3.83 ERA and a team-high 91 2⁄3 innings to lead the pitching staff.
Sophomore catcher Lyle Lin was selected in the 29th round and 882nd overall by the Houston Astros. Lin’s fall was surprising to most, as he was a 16th round selection out of high school. But this could be good news for Tracy Smith and staff. Lin will now more than likely return to for his junior season as ASU’s primary catcher.
The final Sun Devil selected was senior lefty Conor Higgins by the Los Angeles Angels in the 30th round and 901st overall selection. Higgins was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2017, but decided to return to ASU for his senior season. The left-hander really struggled this year for ASU, posting a 6.41 ERA and .300 opponent’s average against. Heading into professional baseball, Higgins will need to improve his command in order to have success at the next level.