The MLB Draft usually signals a time of significant change for a college baseball program such as Arizona.
This year holds true to that, but the Wildcats and coach Jay Johnson are getting a tremendous image boost with six players chosen in the first 10 rounds for the first time in the program’s illustrious history. Arizona tied Kentucky and Oregon State for the most with that total.
If this was football, it would be the equivalent of Alabama placing that many that high.
And that does not include two recruits going in the first round Monday.
Most 2018 @MLB draft picks by school in rounds 1-10:
Arizona – 6
Kentucky – 6
Oregon State – 6
Arkansas – 5
Florida – 5
Florida State – 5
Oklahoma – 5
Virginia – 5
Wichita State – 5
Clemson – 4
NC State – 4
NC Wilmington – 4
South Carolina – 4
Texas Tech – 4— Brian Hennessy (@Brian_ClemsonAC) June 5, 2018
In terms of change, not only will the Wildcats most likely lose prized recruits Matthew Liberatore and Nick Gorman, the first-round selections from the Phoenix area, but juniors Cesar Salazar, Alfonso Rivas, Cody Deason and Michael Flynn are also potentially gone after getting drafted in the first seven rounds today.
Slot signing bonus values for Arizona picks:
Alfonso Rivas, A's, 113th: $493K
Cody Deason, Astros, 162nd:306K
Michael Flynn, Pirates, 174th: 276K
Cesar Salazar, Astros, 222nd: $187K
Tylor Megill, Mets, 230th: $177K— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) June 5, 2018
Senior right-hander Tylor Megill and senior outfielder Cal Stevenson were also selected. Megill went in the eighth round to the New York Mets and Stevenson in the 10th to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Megill and Stevenson are two of 10 seniors Johnson must replace next season. Also likely losing Liberatore, Gorman, Salazar, Rivas, Deason and Flynn, that’s 16 spots that will likely have different faces on the Arizona roster next season.
Here are Twitter reactions of the Arizona players and recruits chosen thus far in the MLB Draft:
Alfonso Rivas, 1B
Oakland Athletics, fourth round
[table “” not found /]You ready to be #RootedInOakland, Alfonso?#MLBDraft #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/hpjKO6VosT
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 5, 2018
#Athletics select OF Alfonso Rivas with their 4th round selection of the 2018 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arizona.
Live Draft Updates on A's Selections: https://t.co/lg3EdwyGHt
— Oakland Athletics 🌳🐘⚾️ (@Athletics) June 5, 2018
The #Athletics take Alfonso Rivas of @ArizonaBaseball in the fourth round. One of the sweetest lefthanded swings in the draft — he’s gonna be a doubles machine, but I’ve seen him put a charge into balls too. Think the power is coming. I think he’s athletic enough to play OF too.
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) June 5, 2018
Off the board!
Congrats to Alfonso Rivas, who is selected in the 4th round with the 113th overall pick by the @Athletics!#BearDown | #MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/WXNrBUWUrX
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
With the 38th pick in the draft the Padres draft Alfonso Rivas out of Arizona. Rivas doesn't have elite length, or flow but there are some good makings here for good projections. Rivas has some quality flow for his length and has decent upside for the Padres here. I rate him a 45 pic.twitter.com/DuVaBeXMgl
— Culberson's Hair (@culberson_hair) June 4, 2018
Cody Deason, RHP
Houston Astros, fifth round
[table “” not found /]Say hello to the newest member of the @astros.
Congrats, Cody!#MLBDraft #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/KFXC4VsoNF
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 5, 2018
Congrats to Cody Deason! The righty is picked by the @astros in the 5th round with the 162nd overall pick!#BearDown | #MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/tGf25gkRVW
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
#Astros fifth-round pick Cody Deason: "I was a Dodgers fan and, as of about three hours ago, I am an Astros fan. That was heartbreaking to see last year. But now I look back on it and say 'Wow, this is the greatest thing that's ever happened.'"
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 5, 2018
I’ll show them whatever they want to see!!!
— JJ Matijevic (@TweetinJ_23) June 5, 2018
Both Cody Deason and Cesar Salazar were teammates at Arizona with former ValleyCat @TweetinJ_23! https://t.co/yGRdTkXPbK
— Tri-City ValleyCats (@ValleyCats) June 5, 2018
Arizona catcher Cesar Salazar was roommate to JJ Matijevic last season and Cody Deason this season.
Soon, all three will be in the #Astros organization.
Deason and Salazar will sign with the club, they both tell me.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 5, 2018
Cody Deason: "I loved watching Verlander and Gerrit Cole. I'm not just saying that because I'm with the Astros now. I loved watching Cole when he was with the Pirates. Loved watching Verlander growing up. I like the way he competes on the mound, he's just a bulldog."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 5, 2018
Michael Flynn, RHP
Pittsburgh Pirates, sixth round
[table “” not found /]Flynn's flyin' to his new crew.
Congrats on a good get, @Pirates.#MLBDraft #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/lmfqwEb4F5
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 5, 2018
Michael Flynn is a Bucco! The right-hander is selected in the 6th round with the 174th overall pick by the @Pirates.#BearDown | #MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/aEgbmymELh
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
Congratulations to Michael Flynn '15 (@Mikey_Flynn26) on being selected by the @Pirates with the 174th pick in the 6th round of the 2018 #MLBDraft! #Credo #ForeverAFriar pic.twitter.com/wwYNtMG60N
— Servite Athletics (@ServiteSports) June 5, 2018
Cesar Salazar, C
Houston Astros, seventh round
[table “” not found /]Cesar Salazar is headed to Houston!
He'll join Cody Deason, who was drafted there earlier today, and JJ Matijevic, who was picked by the @astros last year!#BearDown | #MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/8sOo5fbYte
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
He's coming for you Houston.
Cesar Salazar the newest @astros. pic.twitter.com/PkFZ0mStak
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 5, 2018
#HoustonIsWildcatCountry! @TweetinJ_23 @cesarsalazar34 @deason_cody #BearDown https://t.co/6XVpFIjiIw
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
Couldn’t be happier! @astros
— Cesar Salazar (@cesarsalazar34) June 5, 2018
The #Astros chose Arizona catcher Cesar Salazar with their seventh round selection at No. 222 overall.
Slot value is $187,000
Five straight college players today. Catcher was a position of need, too.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 5, 2018
Hey @astros fans!
Learn more about Cesar Salazar and his lifelong dream of baseball. ⤵️https://t.co/osEXsxFVKH
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 5, 2018
Tylor Megill, RHP
New York Mets, eighth round
[table “” not found /]Heading to NYC!
Tylor Megill, the newest @Mets. #MLBDraft #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/Fg7vgEWjOL
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 5, 2018
Megill the Met!
Tylor Megill goes in the 8th round to the New York Mets with pick No. 230!#BearDown | #MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/T4ovHeaFTl
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
Congratulations to @ArizonaBaseball RHP Tylor Megill, who began his career with @LMLionsBaseball, on being selected in the eighth round, No. 230 overall (slot value: $176,700), by the @Mets: pic.twitter.com/SwH1szZ8WN
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSprD1) June 5, 2018
Tylor Megill Prospect Video, RHP, University of Arizona https://t.co/00OMhMG0ik via @YouTube
— Steve Fiorindo (@SoCalSteve9) June 5, 2018
Mets 8th rounder Tylor Megill has a huge frame, 91-93, avg slider
— Eric Longenhagen (@longenhagen) June 5, 2018
Cal Stevenson, OF
Toronto Blue Jays, 10th round
[table “” not found /]Heading North of the Border! Cal Stevenson selected in the 10th round by the Toronto Blue Jays! Perfect climate for #TheSnowMan!#BearDown | #MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/2yZF3p8VI9
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
Cal Stevenson ➡️ @BlueJays.#MLBDraft #BackThePac pic.twitter.com/yWfwpKQniL
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) June 5, 2018
Only player with a local tie drafted today was Cal Stevenson (10th round, 296th overall, Blue Jays). He was the MW freshman of the year at Nevada in 2015 before transferring to a JC in 2016 and playing at Arizona from 2017-18.
— Chris Murray (@MurrayRGJ) June 5, 2018
Like Cal Stevenson for the Blue Jays there. Really good approach with bat to ball skills. Very high quality senior sign.
— Brian Sakowski (@B_Sakowski_PG) June 5, 2018
RECRUITS
Matthew Liberatore, LHP
Tampa Bay Rays, first round
Congratulations to signee Matthew Liberatore, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 1st round of tonight's MLB Draft!
You sure look good in the Cardinal and Navy, though! 😉#MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/oU9ezBQBdq
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
With the 16th pick of the 2018 #MLBDraft, @RaysBaseball selects @mrhs_athletics LHP Matthew Liberatore: https://t.co/I4XB50hdHx pic.twitter.com/JsBhQ6abAd
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) June 5, 2018
1 (16): @RaysBaseball select Mountain Ridge HS LHP Matthew Liberatore. https://t.co/1TLjPIBflA #MLBDraft
— MLB Draft Tracker (@MLBDraftTracker) June 5, 2018
.@TheMayorsOffice recently sat down with 2018 #MLBDraft prospects Matthew Liberatore and Nolan Gorman to discuss their journey from childhood friends to potential first round picks. pic.twitter.com/WN5TQyzM8W
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 31, 2018
Nolan Gorman, 3B
St. Louis Cardinals, first round
Another signee, Nolan Gorman, is off the board. Nolan goes 19th overall to the St. Louis Cardinals. #BearDown | #MLBTrainingGround pic.twitter.com/qURHInOlAk
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 5, 2018
The @Cardinals select 3B Nolan Gorman with the 19th overall pick! #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/kyAahB6l7o
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 5, 2018
Nolan Gorman, selected at No. 19 overall by the @Cardinals, hit this MONSTER home run in the @PGAllAmerican Classic! https://t.co/VR9LgPFurt pic.twitter.com/DajwjpK9Az
— Perfect Game USA (@PerfectGameUSA) June 5, 2018
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon.
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