103 NJCAA players taken in 2019 MLB Draft

Charlotte, NC – Days after the NJCAA crowned a trio of baseball champions across its three divisions, 103 players that played for NJCAA programs this season were taken in the 2019 MLB Draft.

It came as little surprise when San Jacinto's Jackson Rutledge was the first junior college player selected in this year's draft. Rutledge, ranked as one of the MLB's best prospects, was invited to attend the event at the MLB Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey. There Rutledge heard his name called with the 17^th overall pick by the Washington Nationals. Rutledge was also a semifinalist for the prestigious USA Golden Spikes Award, an honor given to the top amateur baseball player in the nation who exhibits exceptional on-field ability and exemplary sportsmanship.

San Jacinto led the NJCAA with six players selected in this year's draft while Wabash Valley and 2019 Division I World Series champion Central Arizona both had five players hear their name called.

Western Oklahoma State led all Division II programs with four players taken, highlighted by Junior Martina's 16^th round selection. Mississippi Gulf Coast's Brandon Parker, the 2018 ABCA/Rawlings NJCAA DII Player of the Year, became the highest selected player from his division this year when the Atlanta Braves took the sophomore outfielder in the 10^th round.

The two teams that battled in the NJCAA DIII World Series championship game were also well represented: Champion Cumberland County and runner-up Rowan-Gloucester each had two players drafted. Meanwhile, Tyler's Peyton Miller was the highest taken DIII player this year: selected by Oakland in the 14^th round.

Region VIII (Florida) held the honor of most players drafted from one region with 24 total picks. Thirteen different Florida programs had a player taken, led by Chipola's four selections.

Note: This is a list of players drafted directly from NJCAA member colleges

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