MLB Draft Picks

A total of 116 former BYU baseball players have been selected in the MLB Draft dating back to 1965, an average of more than two picks per year.

The highest draft pick in BYU history is Cory Snyder who was taken in the first round with the fourth pick in the 1984 draft. The Angels have drafted the most Cougars at 13 overall, followed by the Athletics at 12 and the Cardinals and Cubs at 10 apiece.

The list below only includes draft picks who signed contracts and those players who were drafted following the completion of their collegiate availability. All played at least one season at BYU.

 

Year Name Position Team Round Pick Notes
2023 Austin Deming 3B Astros 10 314  
2022 Andrew Pintar 2B Diamondbacks 5 138  
  Cy Nielson LHP Pirates 8 230  
  Nate Dahle RHP Rays 13 404  
  Cooper McKeehan LHP Royals 16 475  
2019 Jackson Cluff SS Nationals 6 183 Father, Paul, was also drafted in 1989 (see below)
2018 Daniel Schneemann SS Indians 33 1,003  
  David Clawson C Angels 37 1,111  
2017 Maverik Buffo RHP Blue Jays 34 1,029  
  Colton Shaver 1B Astros 39 1,171  
2016 Brennon Lund CF Angels 11 336  
  Michael Rucker RHP Cubs 11 344  
2015 Kolton Mahoney RHP Yankees 16 483  
2013 Jacob Hannemann CF Cubs 3 75 MLB: Played in 11 games with the Mariners (2017)
  Adam Law 3B Dodgers 12 364  
  Jaycob Brugman RF Athletics 17 521 MLB: Played in 48 games with the Athletics (2017)
  Adam Miller RHP Diamondbacks 20 600  
2012 Chris Capper RHP Diamondbacks 26 813  
  Austin Hall RHP Brewers 33 1,025  
2011 Matt Neil RHP Marlins 29 883  
  Taylor Cole RHP Blue Jays 29 889 MLB: Played in 57 games with the Blue Jays and Angels (2017-pres.)
2009 Stephen Parker 3B Athletics 5 153  
  Jeremy Toole RHP Giants 10 297  
  Stetson Banks CF Dodgers 22 667  
  Kent Walton OF Athletics 23 693  
2007 Leon Johnson OF Athletics 10 307  
  Jesse Craig RHP Reds 17 529  
  Jonathan Stambaugh LHP Cardinals 25 772  
  Collin Fanning OF Cardinals 36 1,097  
2006 Marcos Villezcas SS Mariners 23 681  
2005 David Horlacher RHP Dodgers 8 256  
  Brandon Taylor 3B Cubs 17 520  
  Lance Beus LHP Mariners 28 833  
  Ryan Chambers LHP Cubs 40 1,209  
2004 Nik Lemon RHP White Sox 8 239  
2003 Kainoa Obrey 3B Cardinals 13 395  
2002 Jeremy Guthrie RHP Indians 1 22 MLB: ALCS Champion (2014). Played in 306 games for the Indians, Orioles, Rockies, Royals and Nationals (2004-15, 17)
  Dave Jensen 1B Royals 3 78  
  Matt Carson OF Yankees 5 156 MLB: Played in 92 games for the Athletics, Twins and Indians (2009-10, 12-13)
  Cameron Coughlan 2B Rangers 18 532  
  Brock Jacobsen OF Cardinals 44 1,329  
2000 Nick Day OF Padres 20 589  
1999 Spencer Oborn OF White Sox 14 429  
  Gary Johnson OF Angels 19 581 MLB: Played in 5 games for the Angels (2003)
  Mike Tejada C Rockies 27 820  
1998 Troy McNaughton RHP Cardinals 31 918  
  Troy Farnsworth 2B Cardinals 32 948  
1997 Jared Jensen RHP Athletics 9 275  
1996 Widd Workman RHP Padres 3 80  
  Patrick Johnson C Angels 11 325  
  Ryan Roberts 3B Cardinals 42 1,237  
1995 Brian Knoll RHP Giants 16 439  
1994 Kevin Foderaro RHP Cardinals 8 222  
  Ryan Hall C Cardinals 23 642  
1993 Brian Banks C Brewers 2 43 MLB: World Series Champion (2003). Played in 273 games for the Brewers and Marlins (1996-99, 2002-03)
  Ryan Hancock RHP Angels 2 45 MLB: Played in 11 games for the Angels (1996)
  Dave Madsen 3B Cardinals 14 396  
1992 Darren Milne OF Tigers 19 532  
  Eric Smith RHP Phillies 30 837  
  Craig Gienger RHP Athletics 32 900  
1990 Gary Daniels OF Sailors 4 101 Drafted by independent Erie Sailors
  Randy Wilstead 1B Expos 16 436  
  Bart Peterson RHP Indians 28 748  
  Devin Kunz LHP Rangers 49 1,249  
1989 Paul Cluff 2B Hawks 4 87 Drafted by independent Boise Hawks
  Darin Kracl RHP Athletics 4 113  
  John DeSilva RHP Tigers 8 213 MLB: Played in 6 games for the Tigers, Dodgers and Orioles (1993, 95)
  Ed Zinter RHP Padres 38 988  
  Brad Eagar C Athletics 41 1,076  
1988 Gary Schoonover SS Braves 30 762  
  Mike Littlewood 3B Brewers 37 965 BYU Head Coach (2013-present)
1987 Carl Keliipuleole RHP Indians 4 99  
  Dave Willes 2B Phillies 13 338  
  Todd Newman LHP Astros 23 600  
1986 Gary Cooper OF Astros 7 172 MLB: Played in 9 games for the Astros (1991)
  Colby Ward RHP Angels 11 285 MLB: Played in 22 games for the Indians (1990)
  Mark Beavers LHP Athletics 14 353  
  Dave Morrow C Expos 18 460  
  Jeff Brown OF Dodgers 21 542  
1985 Wally Ritchie LHP Phillies 4 96 MLB: Played in 147 games for the Phillies (1987-88, 91-92). BYU pitching coach (2011-12)
1984 Cory Snyder SS Indians 1 4 Highest pick in program history. MLB: Played in 1,068 games for the Indians, White Sox, Blue Jays, Giants and Dodgers (1986-94)
  Eric Varoz 2B Padres 5 117  
  Steve Eagar C Tigers 6 156  
  Mark DeLaTorre LHP Yankees 25 637  
1983 Rick Aguilera RHP Mets 3 58 MLB: 2x World Series Champion (1986, 91), 3x All-Star (1991-93). Played in 732 games for the Mets, Twins, Red Sox and Cubs (1985-00)
  Wally Joyner 1B Angels 3 67 MLB: All-Star (1986). Played in 2,033 games for the Angels, Royals, Padres and Braves (1986-01)
  Scott Nielsen RHP Mariners 6 139 MLB: Played in 38 games for the Yankees and White Sox (1986-89)
  Kurt Lee LHP Giants 16 408  
1982 Kevin Towers RHP Padres 1 1 Secondary Phase
  Joe Whitmer RHP Mariners 7 164  
  Leon Baham SS Athletics 18 470  
  Peter Kendrick LHP Athletics 19 496  
1981 Gail Arnold RHP Mets 2 39 Secondary Phase
  Paul Doty RHP Yankees 26 667  
1980 Stan Younger OF Tigers 7 173  
  Cliff Pastornicky SS Royals 8 197 MLB: Played in 10 games for the Royals (1983)
  Jeff Burton OF Cubs 19 478  
1979 Tom Morris LHP Cubs 9 220  
  Marc Thomas OF Astros 10 242  
  Greg Peterson RHP Astros 11 268  
  Axle Hardy LHP Cubs 17 428  
  Bob Blyth RHP Cubs 22 556  
  Bert Bradley RHP Athletics 27 670 MLB: Played in six games for the Athletics (1983)
1978 Cam Killebrew OF Rangers 25 610  
  Vance Law SS Pirates 39 758 MLB: All-Star (1988). Played in 1,212 games for the Pirates, White Sox, Expos, Cubs and Athletics (1980-89, 91). BYU head coach (2000-12)
1977 Michael Stover RHP Angels 2 41 Secondary Phase
  Miles Nelson 3B Angels 26 635  
1976 Jack Morris RHP Tigers 5 98 MLB: Hall of Fame (2018). 4x World Series Champion (1984, 91-93). World Series MVP (1991). 5x All-Star (1981, 84, 85, 87, 91). Played in 549 games for the Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays and Indians (1977-94)
1972 Michael Staffieri SS Reds 6 127  
1971 Stephen Easton LHP Athletics 1 19 Secondary Phase
  Dane Iorg SS Phillies 1 22 Secondary Phase; MLB: 2x World Series Champion (1982, 85). Played in 743 games for the Phillies, Cardinals, Royals and Padres (1977-86)
  Edward Hora LHP Cardinals 8 115 January Draft
1970 Doug Howard 1B Angels 8 183 MLB: Played in 97 games for the Angels, Cardinals and Indians (1972-76)
  Richard Fairbanks OF Tigers 25 603  
1969 Ken Crosby RHP Yankees 10 227 MLB: Played in 16 games for the Cubs (1975-76)
  Richard Zinniger LHP Padres 27 646  
1967 James Englehardt LHP Angels 12 229  
  Bob Foderaro LHP Angels 20 388  
  Martin Downen RHP Giants 27 527  
1966 John Greene OF Athletics 3 42  
  Frank Lolich RHP Mets 24 461  
1965 Tom Weir C Orioles 10 159  
  Dennis Lamb 3B Orioles 26 450