BYU's Rucker, Lund lead local prospects on MLB draft's final day


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PROVO — BYU pitcher Michael Rucker was an ace for the Cougars, putting up a 2.82 earned run average with a 16-2 record in two seasons at BYU.

Officially, the junior right-hander could also return to BYU for one more season as the Cougars try to defend their West Coast Conference regular-season championship (which they split with Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s).

No matter what, he still has baseball in front of him.

Rucker was selected in the 11th round with the 344 pick of the Major League Baseball draft Saturday morning, with his MLB rights chosen by the Chicago Cubs.

“It’s been one heck of a ride, and it’s (only) just begun at the same time,” Rucker said via Twitter, adding that he “couldn’t be more excited.”

WHAT A DAY! Thanks to everyone that has helped me achieve my dreams! It's been one heck of a ride, and it's on just begun at the same time!! — Michael Rucker (@mikeruck27) June 11, 2016

Rucker was an All-West Coast Conference first-team selection in 2016 and Louisville Slugger All-American third-team pick by Collegiate Baseball newspaper. The 6-foot-1 Gonzaga transfer tied five pitchers in BYU history with the best start at 11-0, not taking a loss until the WCC Tournament opener against the Bulldogs.

BYU teammate Brennon Lund joined Rucker in the 11th round. Lund was drafted with the No. 336 overall pick by the Anaheim Angels, meaning his first game as a professional could come as soon as this summer with the Orem Owls, the Angels’ Pioneer League affiliate.

Congrats to @lunder5 on being selected in the 11th round of the #MLBDraft2016 by the @Angels!\#GoCougs#RepTheYpic.twitter.com/K5lis4JfZn — BYU Baseball (@BYUBaseball) June 11, 2016

The junior centerfielder could also return for another season at BYU, but he has time to make that decision.

The Bingham High graduate batted .387 as a junior in 2016, stroking 46 extra-base hits with three home runs and 80 RBI. A coaches’ pick for first-team all-WCC, Lund also fielded a .984 fielding percentage in the outfield with just three errors in his junior campaign.

Utah Valley pitcher Danny Beddes helped lead the Wolverines to a historic season, winning the Western Athletic Conference tournament title and the program’s first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament via Louisiana State’s Baton Rouge Regional.

The senior right-hander from American Fork was selected in the 15th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 465th overall selection was a first-team All-WAC selection and set school records in career wins, career strikeouts and season strikeouts.

Congrats to RHP Danny Beddes on being selected in the 15th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates! #WolverineWay#GoBucspic.twitter.com/VUz8UpVesf — Utah Valley Baseball (@UVUBaseball) June 11, 2016

Beddes (9-4) finished his season campaign with a 4.56 ERA and 99 strikeouts. He’s the highest draft pick from UVU since 2004 and the first draft selection since Goose Kallunki went to the San Diego Padres in 2012.

"I'm really happy for Danny,” Utah Valley coach Eric Madsen said. “He's worked very hard to get to this point and was instrumental in helping us achieve our goal of getting to a Regional this year.”

Salt Lake Community College pitcher Joe Barlow was selected in the 11th round by the Texas Rangers. The No. 339 pick from Riverton was an All-Region 18 second-team honoree and helped the Bruins to a 29-27 record as a sophomore.

Utah senior pitcher Dalton Carroll was selected in the 21st round by the Atlanta Braves. The Taylorsville High product was the 619th overall pick after putting up a 5.04 ERA in 15 appearances with 49 strikeouts in the Utes’ Pac-12 championship-winning season.

Each of the locals joined Pleasant Grove’s Payton Henry, a BYU signee who was selected in Friday’s sixth round by the Milwaukee Brewers.

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