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Oregon State saw its highest selection ever in the MLB Draft yesterday as Michael Conforto went tenth to the New York Mets. Conforto was one of just two Pac-12 players to be picked on the first day of the draft, with Stanford's Alex Blandino being the other.
Draftees have until July 18 to decide whether they want to sign with the team that picked them. Conforto could still play one more season in Corvallis, but being a top ten pick, it would be extremely unlikely he turned down that kind of money.
"I've probably played my last game at Oregon State," Conforto said on Monday after his season-ending loss to UC Irvine.
As soon as he does sign, the left fielder could be headed to one of New York's seven single A or Rookie team team affiliations. Their first round pick last year started his career with the GCL Mets in Port St. Lucie. The Mets do not have any affiliates in the Northwest, but their AAA team does play in Nevada for the Pacific Coast League's Las Vegas 51s. Also in that league are the Tacoma Rainiers.
Conforto was the second outfielder and fourth position player taken in the draft. He was widely considered to be the best college bat available and some were surprised he didn't go to the Chicago Cubs at number four. Combine his power with a great arm out in left field and he was arguably the best prospect to ever come out of Oregon State's program.
Conforto is the first Beaver taken in the first round in 7 years, and the 7th ever taken in the first round.
The Beavers should have seven more players taken in the draft. Three of them (Dylan Davis, Jace Fry, Ben Wetzler) could be selected at any time. Scott Schultz is widely projected as an eighth round pick, while Andy Peterson, Kavin Keyes, and Jeff Hendrix should be late round picks.