The 2017 MLB Draft is finally over, but before it was done two more K-State Wildcats heard their named called.
First up was LHP Parker Rigler, selected in the 31st round, 927th overall, by the Chicago White Sox.
DRAFTED!!
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) June 14, 2017
LHP Parker Rigler becomes the third Wildcat taken in the 2017 #MLBDraft, taken in the 31st round by the @whitesox! #KStateBSB pic.twitter.com/TvhL9oggky
A native of Edmond, OK, Rigler was a two year starter for the Cats after coming to K-State after two years at Cowley County CC, where he went 20-0 for the Tigers while earning First Team All Jayhawk Conference both years and NJCAA All American Honorable Mention honors for his sophomore campaign.
At K-State, Rigler started in every weekend series as a junior, going 4-7 with a 4.89 ERA (42er, 77.1ip), 73 strikeouts, 26 walks and a .265 batting average against. While he didn’t earn any post-season accolades, he did notch a Big 12 Newcomer of the Week nod in early May after throwing a complete-game against Oklahoma to help the Cats earn a 9-3 victory. His biggest game came his senior season, and it was a doozy. Rigler threw a complete-game no-hitter, the first for K-State since 1991 and just the ninth ever at K-State, in a 14-0 win over Eastern Illinois. For his effort he was named NCBWA National, Collegiate Baseball National, and Big 12 Pitcher of the Week. Rigler went 4-4 with a 3.67 ERA (31 ER, 76.0 IP) in 14 appearances (all starts) during his senior campaign, and led team with 51 strikeouts and 76.0 innings pitched.
The second Wildcat drafted was sophomore catcher Josh Rolette, selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 39th round, with the 1182nd overall pick.
DRAFTED!!
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) June 14, 2017
Make it FOUR Wildcats taken in the 2017 #MLBDraft, as Josh Rolette is picked by the @Indians in the 39th round! #KStateBSB pic.twitter.com/rSrSTr5lZl
Rolette hits an interesting loophole in the MLB Draft rules. Normally a player at a four-year school must have reached the end of their third year in school to be eligible, however if they are 21 years-old before the draft then they are eligible regardless of year in school. Rolette’s 21st birthday was in May, making him eligible for selection this year.
Rolette earned a slew of honors during his 2016 freshman campaign, including a Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honor on the way to All-Big 12 Freshman Team, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors after batting .290 (62-for-214) with 13 doubles, 6 home runs and 34 RBI in 56 games (55 starts) as the Wildcats designated hitter and part-time catcher. In 2016 Rolette joined teammates Jake Scudder and Jordan Floyd with the Mat Su Miners of the Alaska Baseball League, but didn’t earn All Star status like his older teammates. Injuries derailed part of Rolette’s sophomore campaign, causing the Shawnee, OK native to miss 6 games in the middle of the season, but he still posted a batting line of .219/.372/.432 with 26 RBI on the season.
Rolette was drafted in the 18th round (551st overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school (the 2015 draft), but elected to not sign and enroll at K-State. It is highly likely that Rolette will decline this offer and stay at K-State for at least one more season. As of now, Rolette is scheduled to join the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League for summer ball action.
At least one future Wildcat was also drafted, as RHP Jake Webb from Pittsburg, KS was drafted in the 19th round, 568th overall, by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburg High School senior RHP Jake Webb (6'5 200) drafted in the 19th round today by the Pittsburg Pirates. Is a KSU signee. pic.twitter.com/KZJtU7iLiJ
— Sports in Kansas (@sportsinkansas) June 14, 2017
No word yet on if the 6’5” 200lb 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and All Region (Central) 1st Team commit will sign with the Pirates or hold his commitment to K-State. Webb was a heralded recruit, and would be a big loss to Brad Hill’s 2017 class if he does sign with the Pirates.