The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced their eight selections from the second day of the 2018 Draft, picking Hofstra University left-handed pitcher John Rooney (third round), Clear Falls (TX) High School right-hander Braydon Fisher (fourth round), University of Louisville infielder Devin Mann (fifth round), University of New Orleans left-hander Bryan Warzek (sixth round), Sacramento State outfielder James Outman (seventh round), University of Kentucky second baseman Luke Heyer (eighth round), North Carolina State University outfielder Josh McLain (ninth round) and University of Florida infielder Deacon Liput (10th round).
Los Angeles drafted eight of its first 10 players from the college ranks and through 10 selections they have taken five pitchers, three infielders and two outfielders.
The Dodgers started the second day of the draft by selecting Hofstra University left-handed pitcher John Rooney in the third round. In his junior season, the Schaghticoke, New York native finished 8-2 with a 1.23 ERA (13 ER/95.0 IP) in 13 starts and struck out 108 batters against just 27 walks, including three complete games. Following the 2018 season for the Pride, he was voted a Second Team All-America selection by Baseball America, Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year, semifinalist for National Pitcher of the Year and ECAC Pitcher of the Year. Rooney is Hofstra's single season and career leader in strikeouts with 108 and 271, respectively, and is the first player from Hofstra to get selected before the 10th round since 2013.
Los Angeles nabbed its first position player with the 164th pick (fifth round), choosing infielder Devin Mann, a junior out of the University of Louisville. The 6-3, 205-pounder started all 64 games for the Cardinals in 2018, batting .303 with 65 runs, 17 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 52 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Over his three seasons with Louisville, he slashed .288/.408/.458 with 37 doubles, six triples, 15 homers and 113 RBI in 167 games. In 2016, he was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team after starting in 19 of his 39 games played.
The Dodgers selected two more pitchers today, picking their second high school player in the fourth round in right-handed pitcher Braydon Fisher from Clear Falls (TX) High School and left-handed pitcher Bryan Warzek from the University of New Orleans (sixth round). During his senior season, the 6-4, 180-pound Fisher pitched 66.2 innings, while posting a 1.62 ERA and striking out 102 batters against 22 walks. The 17-year-old, who is currently committed to Lamar University, holds records for no hitters, lowest ERA and most hits at Clear Falls High School. Warzek, a 21-year-old junior, went 5-2 in 14 starts this season for the Privateers with a 2.82 ERA (30 ER/95.2 IP) and struck out 127 against 41 walks. Warzek earned first-team All-Southland Conference honors his sophomore and junior seasons, and is the highest drafted baseball player out of the University of New Orleans since 2008.
Los Angeles also nabbed collegiate position players James Outman, a junior outfielder from Sacramento State in the seventh round and infielder Luke Heyer from the University of Kentucky in the eighth round. Outman appeared in 60 games for the Hornets, hitting .253 with 43 runs, 15 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs, 40 RBI and 12 stolen bases along with a .363 on-base percentage. Throughout his three-year collegiate career, Outman posted a .249 average with 35 doubles, 23 home runs and 99 RBI. He was selected to the All-WAC Tournament Team for his work during his sophomore season and was named the Summer Collegiate Player of the Year by Perfect Game in 2017. Heyer started his collegiate career at College of Central Florida before transferring to the University of Kentucky. The senior from Lithia, Florida is a versatile defender, seeing time at second base, third base and in the outfield during his time with the Wildcats. He hit .348 this season with 17 doubles, 18 home runs and 57 RBI in 55 games and was voted to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll in 2017 as a junior.
With the final two picks on Day 2 of the First-Year Player Draft, the Dodgers picked up senior outfielder Josh McClain from North Carolina State University in the ninth round and junior infielder Deacon Liput from University of Florida in the 10th round. Both McClain and Liput were selected by Los Angeles in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft in the 14th and 29th round, respectively, but did not sign. McClain started 60 games for the Wolfpack this season, hitting .344 with 51 runs and four home runs. He was also named to First-Team All-ACC performer in 2017 with the Wolfpack. Liput was voted to the 2016 SEC All-Freshman Team, 2017 SEC All-Defensive Team and was announced as a finalist for this year's Brooks Wallace Award, which is presented to college baseball's top shortstop. In 2018, the Oviedo, Florida native started 45 games at shortstop, committing only two errors, and hit .286 with 43 runs, 13 doubles, eight home runs and 36 RBI.
Attached is the list of the top 10 Dodger selections from the 2018 First-Year Player Draft.
The 2018 First-Year Player Draft concludes tomorrow with rounds 11-30 starting at 9:00 a.m. (PST).