Ohio State Baseball has four players taken in MLB Draft

The Ohio State baseball team is ready for the future. They have a new coach leading the way for the upcoming season and some new players to replace some good ones. Some of those good ones were taken in this week’s MLB Draft. In fact, the Buckeyes had four players taken.

TJ Brock got the honor of being the highest-drafted Buckeye this year. He was taken in the 6th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. Brock is a right-handed pitcher who led the Big Ten with 9 saves and had a team-best ERA of 2.06 in the 16 1/2 innings he pitched in 2021.

Zach Dezenzo was taken in the 12 round by the Houston Astros. He is a shortstop who had to play some first base last season due to arm soreness. He hit .319 and tied Ohio State’s single-season home run record of 19. In his time with the Buckeyes, he finished third all-time in home runs hit with 38.

Nate Karaffa was taken in the 20th and final round of the draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Karaffa moved to the bullpen this season after starting his career as a utility player. He had 36 strikeouts in 25 appearances and posted a 3-1 record last season.

Ethan Hammerberg was also taken in the 20th round. He was taken by the Chicago White Socks. Hammerberg was also a pitcher used from the bullpen. He had 49 strikeouts and just 6 walks in 35.2 innings last season while leading the team in saves with 6.

All four Buckeyes will look to play well in the minors before hopefully making the Major League roster someday. The road won’t be easy, but these players know that. We wish them all success and hope to see them in Major League ballparks sooner rather than later.

Hopefully, the Ohio State baseball team can keep having multiple players drafted like this.