Rays make College of Idaho pitcher highest-drafted player in school history
College of Idaho pitcher Riley O’Brien was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth round (No. 229 overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft on Tuesday. He is the the highest-drafted player in school history, according to the Coyotes’ athletic department.
BREAKING - Riley O'Brien becomes the highest-round MLB Draft Pick in Program history...taken in the 8th round by the Tampa Bay Rays
— Coyote Athletics (@CoyoteAthletics) June 13, 2017
O’Brien is the 11th player drafted from C of I since the program returned in 1987 and the first selected since outfielder Izaac Garsez was taken by the Cubs in 2012 (30th round), according to a C of I athletic department tweet.
O'Brien becomes the 11th C of I player to be drafted since the program returned in 1987 - last was Izaac Garsez (Cubs) in 2012
— Coyote Athletics (@CoyoteAthletics) June 13, 2017
O’Brien, a senior, spent two years with the Yotes after playing two seasons at Everett Community College. In 20 appearances in 2017, including six starts, O’Brien was 3-4 with a 2.15 ERA. He struck out 81 batters in 67 innings and also collected four saves. He started 15 games and made 16 total appearances in 2016, going 6-3 with a 3.23 ERA.
Michael Katz: 208-377-6444, @MichaelLKatz
This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Rays make College of Idaho pitcher highest-drafted player in school history."