The Northwoods League had record success in the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. A total of 179 current Northwoods League players and alumni were selected in this year’s draft along with a record five 1st round picks.
The highest pick in this year’s draft was A.J. Puk, a junior left handed pitcher at Florida. He was picked in the first round by the Oakland A’s with the 6th overall pick. Puk played as both a pitcher and infielder with the Waterloo Bucks in 2014.
Catcher Matt Thaiss of Virginia played with the Madison Mallards in 2014. He was taken 16th overall by the Los Angeles Angels.
The Pittsburgh Pirates made Wake Forest third baseman Will Craig the 22nd overall pick. He played for St. Cloud in 2014.
The Baltimore Orioles selected Illinois right-handed pitcher Cody Sedlock with the 2 7th overall pick. Sedlock played for Waterloo in 2014.
Waterloo teammate Dane Dunning, another right-handed pitcher out of Florida, was taken 29th overall by the Washington Nationals.
The Madison Mallards had a league high 22 players drafted this year and the La Crosse Loggers were second with 18 players selected.