MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Southern New Hampshire University baseball team hosted a number of Major League Baseball scouts at its annual Scout Day on Tuesday afternoon. The event was held exclusively for members of the Penmen baseball team.
Since Southern New Hampshire, under head coach Scott Loiseau, began holding its Scout Day in 2011, 11 student-athletes have been selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, including most recently, Jake Walkinshaw, who was selected in the 36th (1,094th pick) round by the Oakland Athletics this past summer. A program-record-tying three Penmen were drafted in 2016, headlined by Tim Viehoff, who was chosen by the Seattle Mariners with the 11th pick of the 12th round and the 357th overall choice - the highest pick ever for the Penmen. Justin Valdespina was tabbed by the Colorado Rockies with the fourth pick of the 15th round and the 440th overall selection, while Manny Cruz was taken by the Cincinnati Reds with the second pick of the 23rd round (678th pick).
In 2014, infielder Riley Palmer was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 31st round (931st pick) and right-handed pitcher Derrick Sylvester was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers eight picks later.
In 2013, SNHU had a program-record three players taken, led by Junior Mendez, taken in the 16th round by Oakland. Alex Powers and Jon Massad were tabbed in the 25th round that year, with Powers going to the Chicago White Sox while Massad was also picked by Oakland.
Jason Paul was SNHU's first-ever MLB Draft selection, going to Atlanta in the 15th round in 2004. Garrett Jewell was a 31st round selection of the Minnesota Twins in 2011, while Tim Flight was a 17th round selection of the New York Yankees in 2012.
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