Reivers' enjoy MLB Draft success, Winn first Iowan selected
Secaucus, New Jersey -
Day 2 of the Major League Baseball draft had Iowa Western coaches and staff refreshing social media by the minute. Current and former Reivers waited by their phones and computers to hear from MLB team representatives to find out where their dream of playing in the Majors might continue.
Keaton Winn, a right-handed pitcher out of Pekin, Iowa, was not only the first Reiver, but the first Iowan to hear his name called. The San Francisco Giants made Winn a pick for the 2nd consecutive year, this time with the 136th pick of the draft in the 5th round. Winn moved to the bullpen this season where he racked up 59 strikeouts in just 36 1/3 innings pitched. The starter turned closer led the Reivers with 5 saves and recorded an ERA of 2.23.
The staff didn't have to wait long to hear another Reiver name, this time it was right-handed pitcher Sean Chandler from Bellevue, Nebraska. The redshirt-sophomore was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 6th round with the 179th pick overall. Originally drafted out of Papillion-La Vista High School in the 32nd round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015, he passed that opportunity up to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Chandler dominated this season for the Reivers, finishing 11-0 with a nation's best 1.34 ERA in 74 inning pitched.
Day 2's selections were rounded out with arguably one of the best feel good stories in Reiver program history. Tyler Cropley, who attended Bishop-Heelan in Sioux City, Iowa before attending Iowa Western, was selected in the 8th round by the Washington Nationals after a stellar 2-year run at the University of Iowa. Cropley was named an All-American in his Senior season, hitting a team high .342 for the Hawkeyes while also leading the team in doubles (20), RBI (50) and slugging (.578) and on-base percentage (.449). He ranked in the Top 15 in the Big Ten Conference in nine different offensive categories.
Day 3 of the MLB Draft contained more familiar names. Outfielder Luke Morgan, a 2016 All-Region XI 1st team member for the Reivers out of New Lenox, Illinois, was snatched up by the Colorado Rockies. The College of Charleston Senior was selected in the 20th round with the 606th overall pick.
Also selected was University of Oklahoma Senior Devon Perez. The right-hander out of Ashton, Virginia was selected in the 26th round (768 overall) by the Chicago White Sox. Perez led the Reivers to back-to-back JUCO World Series appearances and was 13-1 on the mound in his 2 seasons in Council Bluffs.
The final Reiver to hear his name called was Centerfielder Tyler Reichenborn. The Blaine, Minnesota product was selected in the 35th round (1064 overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers. An All-Region performer in both seasons with the Reivers, he topped 'Team 44' in most offensive categories from the leadoff spot this past season.
Winn (Mississippi State), Reichenborn (St. Louis) and Chandler (Tulane) all have options if they cannot reach contract agreements with their respective teams. The Reivers had their highest draft pick in program history last year, when left handed pitcher Dan Tillo was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 3rd round (90th overall). Follow @GoReivers or @ReiverBaseball on Twitter for the latest news on Iowa Western Baseball.