Trio Taken in MLB Draft

SECAUCUS, N. J. -- Three Horizon League baseball players were selected in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft late last week.

Former Panthers reliever Josh Uhen went in the fifth round (152nd overall) to the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the highest pick in school history. According to a list compiled by Milwaukee assistant sports information director Chris Zills, Uhen becomes the sixth-highest draft choice all-time in the Horizon League.

"The Brewers were always my favorite team growing up, going back to when I was a little guy back at County Stadium," Uhen said in a release by the school. "It's one of those things that I really appreciate and I am blessed to get the opportunity with my hometown team. I am very happy it turned out that way."

Baseball America had named Uhen the Horizon League's No. 2 pro prospect prior to the season. The right-hander had topped that list in 2012.

Uhen appeared in 21 games for the Panthers in 2013, tossing 21.1 innings and posting a 3.80 ERA. The red-shirt sophomore went 1-0 with four saves, allowing a .233 batting average against while recording 19 strikeouts.

After pre-draft workouts with the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds and the Brewers, Uhen had an idea of what round his name might be called but didn't know by which team. He was watching the draft live with his family when the Brewers made their selection.

"They said my name, talked about me a little bit, and I just started hugging my family," Uhen said in the release. "It's one of those things where you don't know if you want to smile or cry. I didn't cry, but it was one of those things that was a really unique feeling and it really hasn't sunk in yet."

Uhen made just one appearance in 2011 before suffering a season-ending elbow injury, leading to a medical redshirt. Seeing how the righty fought back from that adversity makes Panthers head coach Scott Doffek all the more optimistic about Uhen's professional career.

"He is loaded with talent and upside. He is so projectable it's just a matter of hard work and getting a ton of experience," Doffek said in the release. "Josh has had to deal with a lot of adversity and has handled it very maturely. He loves to work and compete -- which is great combination -- so for him, the sky is the limit. We are very proud of him and look forward to watching him continue to develop and reach his potential."

Joining Uhen in cracking the top-10 list of highest draft choices in Horizon League history was former Youngstown State third baseman Drew Dosch, who was taken in the seventh round (219th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles. Dosch ranks as the Horizon League's 10th-highest selection all-time.

The junior was ranked by Baseball America as the top pro prospect in the conference prior to the 2013 season and was the Horizon League Preseason Player of the Year. He led the league with a .434 on-base percentage and a .922 OPS while also ranking among the top five with a .338 batting average, 40 runs, 68 hits, 15 doubles and a .488 slugging percentage.

Dosch truly came into his own in the Cape Cod League last summer, starting the all-star game at designate hitter. The third baseman improved his on-base percentage, doubles, runs scored and fielding percentage during each season on the Youngstown State campus.

As impressive as his on-field credentials are, his work in the classroom set the bar even higher. Dosch became the second Penguin in school history to earn Academic All-American honors twice in a career. He finished his junior year at Youngstown State with a 3.96 grade-point average as an integrated social studies education major.

Unfortunately, Dosch suffered a devastating knee injury during the final Horizon League series of the regular season and will face a long road to recovery. However, by taking him in the seventh round, it seems clear that Baltimore believes Dosch will be able to overcome that obstacle, a sentiment shared by Youngstown State head coach Steve Gillispie.

"We are very excited and happy for Drew," Gillispie said in a release by the school. "This shows how dedication and hard work can fulfill lifelong dreams. Drew has been an exemplary student-athlete during his time at YSU, and I'm sure the Orioles are ecstatic to select someone with such class and high character."

While Dosch is working his way back, perhaps he can look to fellow draftee Tanner Vavra for inspiration. The former Valparaiso second baseman, who is completely blind in his right eye, was taken in the 30th round (890th overall) by the Minnesota Twins.

Vavra was an All-Horizon League selection in each of his two seasons at Valparaiso. As a junior in 2012, Vavra was a First Team All-League choice and also earned a spot on the All-Newcomer Team after hitting .332 with team-best totals of 52 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and a school-record 22 hit by pitches.

This season, Vavra paced the entire Horizon League with 43 runs scored and 73 hits while ranking among the top-five in batting average and on-base percentage, earning Second Team All-League honors. The second baseman helped lead Valpo to back-to-back Horizon League tournament titles.

For Vavra, perhaps the best part of the selection process is that he will get a chance to work with his father, Joe, who is the third-base coach for the Twins.

“We're all very excited for Tanner today,” Crusaders head coach Tracy Woodson said in a release by the school. “This is a great opportunity for him and well-deserved. Tanner is a player who has had to prove himself at every level, and now he gets the chance to prove himself at the professional level.”