2024 MLB Draft Features 25 Prospect League Picks

MAHOMET, Ill. – The Prospect League is proud to announce that 25 players with Prospect League ties were selected during Major League Baseball's 2024 Amateur Player Draft.

Since 1963, the Prospect League, formerly known as the CICL, has seen nearly 200 alumni reach Major League Baseball and over 800 alumni play professional baseball. The 2024 MLB Draft featured 25 more Prospect League players join the professional ranks including multiple first-round selections.

First Round

J.J. Wetherholt of the University of West Virginia was selected 7th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals. Wetherholt spent the 2021 Prospect League season with the Champion City Kings, hitting .414 with 48 hits, 22 runs batted in, and 20 runs scored in 36 games.

"The Prospect League gave me a chance to acclimate to college baseball out of high school. It gave me an advantage over many incoming freshmen," said Wetherholt looking back on his time in the Prospect League. "It was a perfect situation for me and played a huge role in my development as a player."

Brody Brecht of the University of Iowa was selected 38th overall by the Colorado Rockies. Brecht spent the 2022 summer with the Clinton LumberKings in the Prospect League, appearing in 4 games on the mound and striking out 19 across 6.2 innings. 

"Pitching in the Prospect League and in front of the Clinton LumberKings fans definitely helped prepare me for pitching in front of the crowds in Division I Baseball," said Brecht when asked about his time with the LumberKings in Prospect League.

Second Round

Khal Stephen of Mississippi State University was selected 59th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays. Stephen was a member of the 2022 Danville Dans, appearing in 5 games and recording a 2.03 ERA with 36 strikeouts. 

Day Two

Jackson Kent of the University of Arizona was selected 108th overall by the Washington Nationals.
Kent was a member of the 2021 and 2022 Clinton LumberKings.

Sam Antonacci of Coastal Carolina University was selected 140th overall by the Chicago White Sox.
Antonacci was a member of the 2021 and 2022 Springfield Lucky Horseshoes.

Aidan Major of West Virginia University was selected 146th overall by the Cleveland Guardians.
Major was a member of the 2021 Champion City Kings.

Kodey Shojinaga of the University of Kanas was selected 192nd overall by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Shojinaga was a member of the 2022 Danville Dans.

Phil Fox of the University of Pittsburgh was selected 199th overall by the Chicago White Sox.
Fox was a member of the 2023 Johnstown Mill Rats.

Luke Hayden of Indiana State University was selected 239th overall by the Cincinnati Reds.
Hayden was a member of the 2021 REX.

Jack Young of the University of Iowa was selected 259th overall by the Chicago White Sox.
Young was a member of the 2021 Normal CornBelters and the 2022 & 2023 Clinton LumberKings.

Zane Zielinski of the University of Illinois at Chicago was selected 268th overall by the San Francisco Giants.
Zielinski was a member of the 2021 Burlington Bees.

Jack Crowder of the University of Illinois was selected 279th overall by the Baltimore Orioles.
Crowder was a member of the 2021 O'Fallon Hoots.

Ryan Smith of the University of Illinois at Chicago was selected 283rd overall by the Houston Astros.
Smith was a member of the 2022 Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp.

Jacob Kroeger of Maryville University was selected 311th overall by the Atlanta Braves.
Kroger was a member of the 2022 Quincy Gems.

Trent Youngblood of Transylvania University was selected 314th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Youngblood was a member of the 2021 Quincy Gems.

Day Three

Patrick Clohisy of Saint Louis University was selected 341st overall by the Atlanta Braves.
Clohisy was a member of the 2022 O'Fallon Hoots.

Jared Spencer of Indiana State University was selected 432nd overall by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Spencer was a member of the 2022 REX.

Evan Gray of Saint Louis University was selected 448th overall by the San Francisco Giants.
Gray was a member of the 2023 Alton River Dragons.

Hayden Frank of Lipscomb University was selected 452nd overall by the Chicago Cubs.
Frank was a member of the 2022 West Virginia Miners.

Cole Peschl of Campbell University was selected 458th overall by the Minnesota Twins.
Peschl was a member of the 2022 West Virginia Miners.

Eric Loomis of Missouri State University was selected 495th overall by the Texas Rangers.
Loomis was a member of the 2021 and 2023 O'Fallon Hoots.

Nolan Clifford of Creighton University was selected 498th overall by the Colorado Rockies.
Clifford was a member of the 2021 Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp.

Drake Frize of the University of San Diego was selected 524th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Frize was a member of the 2021 Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp.

Victor Figueroa of Florida Southwestern State was selected 540th overall by the San Diego Padres.
Figueroa was a member of the 2023 Chillicothe Paints.

Owen Rice of the University of Milwaukee was selected 591st overall by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Rice was a member of the 2021 Burlington Bees.

ABOUT THE PROSPECT LEAGUE
The Prospect League is a premier Midwestern wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league with 18 teams across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. The League provides college players with a professional setting with excellent competition and high-quality facilities while delivering exciting baseball action and affordable all-ages entertainment to its communities. In 2023, the League achieved a new attendance record and led all collegiate summer baseball in growth. Known as the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1963-2008, the Prospect League has more than 60 years of proud tradition as one of the original and most recognizable summer leagues. The League's rich history includes Hall of Famers, NCAA and World Series Champions, nearly 200 alumni in Major League Baseball, and more than 800 professional players. For more information visit www.prospectleague.com and follow on social media @prospectleague.

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