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Duke in the Pros: Six Blue Devils Taken in MLB Draft
6/11/2015 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
DURHAM, N.C. -- Six Blue Devils were selected in the 2015 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft in junior Michael Matuella (No. 78 | 3rd Round | Texas Rangers), senior Sarkis Ohanian (No. 265 | 9th Round | Cincinnati Reds), junior Kenny Koplove (No. 504 | 17th Round | Philadelphia Phillies), senior Andrew Istler (No. 702 | 23rd Round | Los Angeles Dodgers), incoming freshman Griffin Conine (No. 926 | 31st Round | Miami Marlins) and redshirt sophomore James Marvel (No. 1,087 | 36th Round | Pittsburgh Pirates).
- Duke's five current players selected is the highest total since the Blue Devils had seven taken in the 2009 MLB Draft.
- Michael Matuella and Sarkis Ohanian became the first Duke teammates picked in the first 10 rounds of the draft since 2002 when Larry Broadway (3rd round | No. 77 overall | Montreal Expos) and Kevin Kelly (5th Round | No. 157 overall | San Francisco Giants).
- Duke had five pitchers taken in a single draft for the first time in program history.
- The Blue Devils have had 31 players drafted over the past 15 years.
- Eight Blue Devils have been drafted under third-year head coach Chris Pollard.
MATUELLA DRAFTED No. 78 OVERALL BY TEXAS RANGERS
Right-hander Michael Matuella was drafted with the No. 78 overall pick by the Texas Rangers in Tuesday. Matuella was the fifth Blue Devil in program history to be selected in the third round or higher.
Unreal moment. Im beyond excited for the opportunity that the @Rangers have given me!! Thank you to everyone for the incredible support!!!
— Michael Matuella (@mikematch30) June 9, 2015
Matuella imrpessed scouts with his arsenal of pitches, including a fastball that reached 97-98 mph. He also possesses an excellent curveball and sharp slider as well as fell for his chaneup. He posted a 1.08 ERA in six starts this season before suffering a season-ending elbow injury.
SCOUTING REPORT: Hey #Rangers fans, meet your new RHP Michael Matuella (@mikematch30) from @Duke_BASE - https://t.co/461auVEnmu
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 9, 2015
CINCINNATI REDS DRAFT OHANIAN No. 265 OVERALL
The Cincinnati Reds selected senior right-handed pitcher Sarkis Ohanian in the ninth round (No. 265 overall) Tuesday.
Ohanian was nothing short of outstanding as a senior, posting career bests in ERA (1.97), innings pitched (45.2), strikeouts (62) and walks allowed (11). In 25 relief appearances, the Boynton Beach, Fla., native averaged 12.22 strikeouts per nine innings and turned in a 5.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the @CincinnatiReds organization!
— Sarkis Ohanian (@SarkdShark75) June 9, 2015
KOPLOVE SELECTED BY HOMETOWN PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Duke junior right-handed pitcher and shortstop Kenny Koplove was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 17th round (No. 504 overall) Wednesday.
Koplove had a tremendous junior campaign for the Blue Devils, serving as both the team's primary closer and starting shortstop. He was named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year watch list after starting 43 games at shortstop and making 21 relief appearances on the mound.
Koplove set the program single-season record with 11 saves in 2015. He posted a 2.13 ERA, allowing just six earned runs over 25.1 innings. He struck out 37 batters and averaged 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings. In addition, Koplove ranked fourth on the team with a .275 batting average, adding seven doubles while scoring 16 runs.
Beyond thrilled for the opportunity to play for my hometown team, the @Phillies. A dream come true and thanks to all who made this possible.
— Kenny Koplove (@Kennykop5) June 10, 2015
ISTLER DRAFTED BY LOS ANGELES DODGERS
The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted senior right-handed pitcher Andrew Istler in the 23rd round (No. 702 overall) Wednesday.
Istler anchored Duke's weekend rotation his senior season, starting 14 games on the mound. He posted a 5-5 record and 3.23 ERA in 2015, leading the team in innings pitched (86.1) and strikeouts (82).
One of the most versatile pitches in Duke history, Istler finished his career with a 3.33 ERA in 88 appearances. He finished his career ranked eighth in program history in ERA (3.33), fourth in career saves (12) and ninth in career wins (20). In addition, Istler is one of just three Duke pitchers to amass 20 or more career wins as well as 10 or more saves, joining David Darwin and Ryan Jackson.
23 (702): @Dodgers select Duke RHP Andrew Istler. http://t.co/5OPS6E9gm2 #MLBDraft
— MLB Draft Tracker (@MLBDraftTracker) June 10, 2015
MIAMI MARLINS DRAFT INCOMING FRESHMAN GRIFFIN CONINE
The Miami Marlins selected incoming freshman Griffin Conine in the 31st round (No. 926 Overall) Wednesday.
Conine, an outfielder from Weston, Fla., signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Blue Devils in the fall of 2015. In 15 games this spring at Pine Crest High School, Conine hit .378 (17-for-45) with five doubles and five home runs.
Ranked among the top 350 overall prospects nationally by Perfect Game, Conine was named Broward High School Hitter of the year in 2014 after also garnering all-district and all-county accolades. As a junior, Conine hit .468 with eight doubles and eight home runs. He posted an .873 slugging percentage and .587 on-base percentage as well.
31 (926): @Marlins select Pine Crest School RF Griffin Conine. http://t.co/TyTjnidXLq #MLBDraft
— MLB Draft Tracker (@MLBDraftTracker) June 10, 2015
MARVEL TAKEN IN 36th ROUND BY PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher James Marvel was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 36th round (No. 1,087 Overall) of the 2015 Major League First Year Player Draft Wednesday.
Marvel missed the 2015 season while recovering from an elbow injury suffered in 2014. Prior to the injury, he started four games in 2014 and posted a 2-2 record with a 1.78 ERA, allowing five earned runs over 25.1 innings. As a freshman in 2013, Marvel went 4-2 with a 3.64 ERA over 42.0 innings.
A product of Campolindo High School in Moraga, Calif., Marvel was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 37th round (No. 1,120 overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft before joining the Blue Devils.
36 (1087): @Pirates select Duke RHP James Marvel. http://t.co/HiRntmoX5b #MLBDraft
— MLB Draft Tracker (@MLBDraftTracker) June 10, 2015
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