Southern Arizona prospects Owen Kramkowski and Francisco Rivero, both of whom have ties to Arizona’s program, were selected in the MLB draft on Sunday.
Kramkowski is a right-hander from Walden Grove High School who completed his junior season at Arizona this spring. He was selected in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Rays as the 145th pick overall.
Rivero, who graduated in May from Canyon del Oro High School, signed to play at Arizona last November. He was picked in the 15th round by the Washington Nationals as the 436th pick overall.
Rivero ended speculation about possibly sticking with Arizona with a statement he released through Jet Sports Network (Rivero trains at Jet Sports Training):
Contacted by AllSportsTucson.com, Rivero mentioned, “I think it was a great pick. The Nationals are a good organization and I’m ready to give them my fullest. I think it’s a blessing from God and opportunity of a lifetime and I can’t wait to show the world who I’m going to be.”
The contract value for a player drafted at Rivero’s position in the 15th round is up to $150,000 without counting against a team’s official bonus pool. Teams often dip into their saved pool money to offer an over-slot bonus.
Rivero is coming off a season of batting .450 with six home runs, nine doubles, two triples and 34 RBIs. As a junior, he battled .484 with eight home runs, 14 doubles, two triples and 40 RBIs.
Rivero spent his first two years in high school in Venezuela while participating in a MLB international draft preparatory academy there. He played with the Sunnyside Little League team that came a game away from reaching Williamsport, Pa., in 2019, a team that was managed by his dad, Frank Sr.
Kramkowski’s bonus slot value is $506,100 as the Rays’ pick in the fifth round.
He is the 294th MLB Draft pick in Arizona baseball history.
He made just three relief appearances as a freshman in 2024 after nursing an elbow injury that kept him out of his entire senior season at Walden Grove.
Kramkowski earned a spot in Arizona’s weekend rotation in 2025 and put together a breakout performance.
He started 18 games and compiled a team-best 9-6 record while posting a 5.48 ERA over 92 innings. Kramkowski recorded a team-high 90 strikeouts while issuing just 18 walks, and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition after helping the Wildcats finish 44-21, capture the Big 12 Tournament Championship, and advance to the 2025 College World Series.
Kramkowski served as Arizona’s Friday night starter throughout the 2026 season, posting a 6.13 ERA over 72 innings. He led the Wildcats in strikeouts for the second consecutive season, recording 75 while issuing just 15 walks. Kramkowski was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week on March 9 following a dominant outing against Fresno State (March 6), tossing 6 innings while recording a career-high 12 strikeouts.
Kramkowski is the second Walden Grove alum to be selected in the MLB draft.
Outfielder Milo Rushford was selected in the 18th round (535th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in the 2022 MLB draft. After three years in the Royals’ farm system, Rushford is now playing for Florence (Ky.) in the Frontier League.
Rivero is the 14th former CDO graduate to be selected in the MLB draft. Kiko Romero was the most recent selection in 2023 in the seventh round (222nd overall) after a standout season at Arizona. He is now in the Frontier League playing for Sussex County (N.J.).
After Rivero and Kramkowski sign, it will increase the number of players from Southern Arizona players with MLB organizations.
The number is presently 12, with five drafted in the last two years, including Kramkowski and Rivero. Mason White (Salpointe/Arizona), Isaiah Jackson (Cienega) and Raul Garayzar (Rio Rico/Arizona) were drafted last year.
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