CURRENT, FORMER BUCS SELECTED IN M.L.B. DRAFT

Blinn freshman Bryce Miller, and former Bucs, Dakota Mills and Nathan Alexander, named in the draft

Blinn College right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller and former Blinn baseball players Dakota Mills and Nathan Alexander recently were selected in the 2018 Major League Baseball amateur draft.

Miller, who currently plays for the Buccaneers, was selected with the 1,137th

overall pick in the 38^th round by the Miami Marlins.

Right-handed pitcher Dakota Mills played for Blinn in 2015 and was selected with the 713^th pick in the 24^th round by the Oakland Athletics out of Sam Houston State University. Nathan Alexander pitched for Blinn in 2015 and 2016 and was selected with the 717^th pick in the 24^th round by the Miami Marlins out of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

“All of our players strive for an opportunity to get drafted. To see these kids make a decision to come here and to grow, mature, and develop and then get to get this point is special,” said Harvey McIntyre, Blinn head coach. “It is special to us because we got to play a little part in that and it is neat to see them have the opportunity to play professionally.”

This season, as a freshman, Miller made 20 appearances on the mound and posted a 7-1 record. He picked up five saves, while recording 34 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings.

“It was definitely an exciting experience and a great feeling to see my name come up in the draft,” Miller said.

Mills made 12 appearances on the mound as a freshman at Blinn in 2015 and went 7-2 with a 3.00 earned run average in 66 innings.

“His pitching ability led to him getting outs and playing a big role for us, so I am very proud that he has an opportunity to play professional baseball,” McIntyre said.

Alexander led the Buccaneers in 2015 with 16 appearances as a freshman. He held a 7-3 record while striking out 46 in 66 2/3 innings. As a sophomore, he made eight appearances on the mound and finished with a 2-2 record and two saves.

“He threw really well for us and was a big asset to our team for two seasons, so I am happy for him,” McIntyre said.

Over the past 16 seasons, McIntyre has coached 42 players who have been drafted into professional baseball.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 38 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.