Drew Beam played a crucial role in Tennessee’s successful run to win the College World Series, and now he aims to contribute to the rising Kansas City Royals team. Beam was picked early on Day 2 of the Major League Baseball draft. The right-hander was chosen as the second pick of the third round, at No. 76 overall by the Royals in a selection process that stretched from rounds three to 10.
Travis Bazzana, an Australian second baseman, was the top overall pick selected by the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. The players chosen on Monday, especially in the early rounds, are expected to receive substantial salaries when they sign their first professional contracts.
College players were favored over high school prospects in this draft. In the third round, 23 players came from four-year schools, while only six were chosen from high school. The trend continued in the fourth round, with 27 out of 30 selections being college players.
Tennessee had a strong representation in the draft, with eight players selected in the first two days. Beam, known for his standout performance as a workhorse pitcher for Tennessee, showcased impressive stats with a 9-2 record, 4.22 ERA, and 99 strikeouts in over 100 innings. He was a solid contributor during the College World Series.
Kansas City added another Tennessee pitcher, A.J. Causey, in the fifth round. It is not unusual for MLB teams to discover talent in the later rounds of the draft, as proven by past selections like Steven Kwan and Marcus Semien. As the draft continues, more promising prospects are being chosen, like Grant Knipp, a two-way player from Campbell, picked by Seattle in the sixth round.
Notable selections include the Los Angeles Angels’ pick of 6-foot-11 pitcher Peyton Olejnik from Miami (Ohio) in the seventh round and the Houston Astros’ selection of outfielder Joseph Sullivan, the grandson of former Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan. The draft concludes on Tuesday with rounds 11 through 20.
