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Three Oregon State Commits Selected in MLB Draft

Who’s staying and who’s going from 2019’s recruiting class?

By Marcus Russell
NCAA Baseball: College World Series-LSU vs Oregon State Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The 2018 MLB Draft has come to a close. The 40-round, three day event saw 6 current Oregon State baseball players get selected:

The draft also featured three Oregon State signee’s (2 baseball, 1 football):

  • Jayce Easley - Shortstop - 5th Round
  • Jake Pfennigs - RHP - 35th Round
  • Jake Dukart - 3B/QB - 36th Round

Jayce Easley

Easley is an extremely talented shortstop and was really the prize of the 2019 recruiting class. The 5-foot-10 switch-hitter from Glendale, AZ is the son of Damion Easley who played in the major leagues for 17 years. Jayce’s older brother Nate, was drafted in the 23rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft and he choose to go pro immediately. Pat Casey thinks Jayce needs a little bit more development, but there’s no denying his talent.

The Beavers will be desperate for infielders after Madrigal, Grenier and Gretler move on next season, but my gut tells me Jayce Easley is going to sign with The Texas Rangers and go pro. There is no way The Rangers use a 5th round pick on a high-schooler without being willing to give him a hefty signing bonus and having some assurance that he wants to go pro.

Jake Pfennigs

Jake is a phenomenal all around athlete from Idaho Falls, ID. In addition to being a top 2019 baseball prospect he was named the 2017-18 Idaho Gatorade boys basketball player of the year and he was a star receiver on the football team. Luckily for the Beavs, Jake announced he was coming to Corvallis despite being drafted by The Padres today.

Jake Pfennigs is a physically imposing presence on the mound at 6-foot-7 and will be a welcome addition to the Beavers pitching rotation. Bryce Fehmel and Kevin Abel will likely nab two starting spots next season, but Pfennigs might have an opportunity to grab that third starting role.

Jake Dukart

Dukart actually isn’t an Oregon State baseball commit. Instead he has his sights on becoming the Beavers next starting quarterback. OregonLive’s Andrew Nemec spoke with Jake Dukart about his mindset and the decision he is facing.

Jake Dukart is another incredible athlete and two sport star. He won’t know what his next step is until talking with The Boston Red Sox and hearing their offer. My guess, is that he decides to attend college and plays for the Oregon State football team. Jake is planning to solely focus on football at OSU, but it would not surprise me if after a year or two, he finds himself on the baseball diamond playing for Pat Casey in preparation for the 2021 MLB Draft, where he could potentially be a much higher selection.

Read more about the baseball team’s 2019 recruiting class here. The Beavers are planning on adding 11 new commits in total; including 6 infielders, 2 outfielders and 3 pitchers. In addition to the players mentioned above, look for Bret Soulages, Andrew Walling and Matthew Gretler (brother of Michael Gretler) to all make impacts next season.