NEWS: Three Wildcats selected in the MLB Draft

For the second time since 2004, three Northwestern players have been selected in the MLB Draft.

Catcher Michael Trautwein was the first of the three, picked by the Cincinnati Reds with the 390th overall selection in the 13th round. Trautwein led the Big Ten Conference over this shortened season in runners caught stealing at 15 and led the ‘Cats with 35 RBI.

Following Trautwein was right-handed pitcher Tyler Uberstine, who was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 19th round at with the 556th overall selection by the Boston Red Sox. In his final season for NU, he posted a career-high eight strikeouts against Rutgers in April.

Last but certainly not least was Shortstop Shawn Goosenberg, who along with Uberstine went in the 19th round, being selected with the 575th overall pick by the Chicago White Sox. Goosenberg was a First Team all-Big-Ten selection in 2021 and led the ‘Cats with 55 hits and 14 home runs, which was good for second overall in the Big Ten.

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 draft was shortened to five rounds, so the ‘Cats have technically had three players selected now in consecutive, full-length drafts. In 2019, Pitcher Nick Paciorek, IF Alex Erro and SS Jack Dunn were drafted by the Yankees, Red Sox and Nationals in the 7th, 17th, and 20th rounds, respectively.

While all players still have until August 1 to decide if they will sign a deal or return to school, it is a big achievement for three of them and potentially the start of a new chapter for their athletic careers.