Six FIU Panthers drafted in last week’s MLB Draft

Brett Shweky / Sports Director

Six FIU Panthers had their professional baseball dreams become a reality this past week as those players were selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft. The most by any other Conference USA team this season. In addition to those six players, FIU also had 13 players from its No.1-ranked signing class drafted in the 2017 MLB Draft.

The last time the Panthers had these many players selected was back in 1993, where they also had six players drafted. In the 45-year history of the program, the 1989 team holds the record with a total of seven players selected in a single season.  

When Head Coach Mervyl Melendez was interviewed in the beginning of the season he discussed the possibility of multiple players on the roster having a chance to reach the professional level.

“Many of these players will have a chance” said Melendez. “To be honest it really comes down to the development of that specific player.” “For me and my staff, we find it important to develop these players because we need to be loyal to them just as they were loyal to FIU baseball.”

Catcher JC Escarra was the first Panther to be selected in the draft, going in the 15th round to the Baltimore Orioles. Escarra finished the season with a .305 batting average while also accumulating 57 hits and 49 RBI.

Later in the 18th round, catcher Zack Soria was picked by the Atlanta Braves and left-hander Dominic LoBrutto was selected to the Boston Red Sox. Soria finished the season with 52 hits and 37 runs secured. LoBrutto finished with a 4.80 S-ERA and restricted opposing batters to 36 hits.  

One round after Soria and LoBrutto were picked, shortstop Irving Lopez went to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19th round. Lopez had a .319 batting average to finish off the season and also accumulated 72 hits.

Right-hander Franklin Van Gurp, who was a catcher just one year ago, was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 25th round. Van Gurp concluded the season with a 2.91 S-ERA and also struck out 32 opposing batters as relief pitcher. Fellow relief pitcher Michael Agis in the 36th round was taken by the Colorado Rockies. Agis finished his senior season with a 5.26 S-ERA and struck out 49 batters.

“The players have worked extremely hard to play professional,” said Melendez to the associated press this past week. “The relationships we have built with professional scouting community are very strong. That’s a good combination for our players to have the chance to play professional baseball.”