U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019 stars selected in first round of MLB Draft
A total of eight players from past WBSC U-12, U-15 and U-18 Baseball World Cups were selected in the first round, while 22 of the 37 players selected on Day 1 have suited up for the USA Baseball National Team.
Six members of the U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019 silver medal USA National Team were selected in the first round of the MLB Draft 2020 yesterday, 10 June.
Outfielder Robert Hassell was the highest chosen, selected eighth overall by the San Diego Padres.
Hassell was named to the 2019 WBSC U-18 All-World Team.
Austin Hendrick, another left-handed outfielder, was drafted 12th overall by the Cincinnati Reds.
Right-handed pitcher Mick Abel was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies as the 15th overall pick.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, another player on the U-18 World Cup All-World Team, was taken with the 19 pick (New York Mets). The son of actors Matthew John Armstrong and Ashley Crow, the speedy Crow-Armstrong played for the U-12 National Team in 2014 and the U-15 National Team in 2017.
Catcher Tyler Soderstrom was the 26th overall selection, taken by the Oakland Athletics. The son of former big leaguer Steve Soderstrom made the 2019 WBSC U-18 World Cup All-World Team as the designated hitter.
Catcher Drew Romo, who also made the WBSC All-World Team, was drafted 35th overall (Colorado Rockies).
Three other players who played in WBSC World Cups and/or World Cup qualifiers were also drafted.
The Toronto Blue Jays selected shortstop Austin Martin, regarded as the best pure hitter in the class of 2020, with the fifth pick of the draft. He played for USA in the 2014 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Catcher Patrick Bailey was taken by the San Francisco Giants with the 13th pick. He played for USA in the Americas qualifier for the 2017 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.
The Cleveland Indians selected shortstop Carson Tucker with the 23rd pick. Tucker helped USA win the 2013 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup.
