LITTLE ROCK, AR (News release) – UALR junior pitcher Sam Thoele has been selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 14th round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
Thoele is UALR’s highest draft pick since Travis Trammell was picked in the 13th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2004.
“What an awesome day for Sam Thoele and his family, as well as the UALR baseball program,” head coach Chris Curry said. “Him being picked in the MLB Draft is a testament to how hard he has worked and gotten better over the last year. I’m really proud for him to get this opportunity, and I think it says a lot about his work ethic. We wish Sam the best if he decides to sign.”
The Montrose, Ill., native came to UALR from Parkland College where he played two seasons. In his sophomore year at Parkland, Thoele was named All-Conference Second Team.
In his first year as a Trojan in 2014, Thoele made 15 appearances on the mound with eight starts en route to compiling a 1-3 record and a 3.70 ERA. The right-hander racked up 41 strikeouts in 48.2 innings, allowing only 37 hits and no runs as a reliever.
In 2015, Thoele posted 59 strikeouts in 63 innings on the mound with a 5.57 ERA, finishing the season at 2-6. Thoele earned his first win of the season against SIU-Edwarsville after striking out five and allowing only two hits and three walks in five innings. Thoele’s longest outing and second win of the season came in the series finale at Georgia State as he pitched eight strong innings and allowed only two runs. Thoele posted a career-high 10 strikeouts in the final game of the series against Georgia Southern.
Earlier in the draft, Trojan signee Paul Salazar was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 341st pick in the 11th round. Salazar played at Lutheran Southern Academy in Pearland, Texas, where he was ranked 118th in the country and 19th in the state of Texas among recruits by PerfectGame.org.
“We’re very proud of Paul. We had a good feeling that he had a chance to go near the top of the draft because of his skills, talent on the field and his character. He and his family will make a decision on what’s best for him. We’d obviously love to have him. He’s a program-changer type of player. We’ll be pulling for him no matter what he decides, and we’re glad he got this recognition.”
