Two Ball State baseball players, Dylan Grego and Jacob Hartlaub, have made their mark in the 2025 MLB Draft, being selected 17 picks apart. Grego was chosen in the 13th round by the San Diego Padres, while Hartlaub was picked by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 14th round. Both athletes received All-MAC honors this season, highlighting their impressive collegiate performance.

Grego, a junior shortstop, boasted a remarkable .376 batting average with a .624 slugging percentage this year, demonstrating his offensive prowess with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs. Hartlaub, a senior pitcher, secured a 6-2 record during conference play, showcasing his potential on the mound. Their selections further solidify Ball State’s reputation for developing talent ready for the professional ranks.

Despite a turbulent 2025 season where the Texas Tech baseball team struggled with a 6.49 ERA, the talent pipeline remained strong as five players were selected in the MLB draft.

The New York Yankees reinforced their pitching depth by drafting right-handers Mac Heuer and Jack Cebert in the 8th and 15th rounds, respectively. Tampa Bay picked Trendan Parish in the 10th round, while the Cleveland Guardians took Zane Petty in the 18th round. In addition, outfielder Damian Bravo was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 15th round, after winning the Big 12 batting title with impressive stats.

An agreement is in principle for the Tampa Bay Rays to be acquired by developer Patrick Zalupski for approximately $1.7 billion, allowing the team to remain in the Tampa region. The deal may finalize by September, coinciding with the end of the current MLB season. The Rays, currently at 50-47, are vying for a wildcard playoff spot. Historically, the franchise has reached two World Series, though they've faced challenges, including the recent damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton that has led to home games being played away from their traditional venue.

Three left-handed pitchers from Old Dominion University were selected in the 2023 MLB draft, showcasing the talent emerging from collegiate baseball. Dylan Brown was picked in the eighth round by the Boston Red Sox, while Ben Moore followed in the 12th round, selected by the Washington Nationals. Blake Morgan was chosen in the 19th round by the Tampa Bay Rays. Additionally, University of Virginia shortstop Henry Godbout made headlines as he was drafted 75th overall by the Red Sox, indicating their keen interest in bolstering their infield. Other notable selections included Carter Lovasz from William & Mary and Luke Hanson from Lafayette High, demonstrating the diverse talent pool from Virginia schools.