Former Indiana high schoolers Sam Bachman and Colson Montgomery were both first-round picks in the 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft staged Sunday through Tuesday, July 11-13 in Denver.

After just five rounds in 2020 (down from 40 in 2019), this year’s draft had 20 (with 612 players chosen).

Hard-throwing right-handed pitcher Bachman, a 2018 graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School, was chosen No. 9 overall by the Los Angeles Angels out of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and was one of 16 selected with connections to Indiana.

The 21-year-old Bachman pitched three seasons at Miami (2019-21), going 7-1 in 12 starts with an 0.77 WHIP, 93 strikeouts and 17 walks in 59 2/3 innings in 2021.

“This is some impact arm and someone we can continue to develop on the pitching side,” Angels scouting director Matt Swanson told MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger.

Miami’s head coach is Danny Hayden. Matt Passauer the RedHawks pitching coach. Bachman played for head coach Scott Henson at Hamilton Southeastern.

Sam is the son of Kevin and Suzanne Bachman and has a brother, Gabe.

With the 22nd pick the Chicago White Sox selected shortstop Colson Montgomery, a 2021 graduate of Southridge High School in Huntingburg, Ind.

“He has both [average] and power,” White Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin and other media Monday. “He has a presence on the field. He’s made so much defensive improvement. He’s the one that screamed, ‘Hey, I’m your guy.’ He’s the one who took the step forward to do the defensive work. You see the athlete unfold. He separated himself into being the baseball player he is now.”

Montgomery, 19, helped Southridge, coached by Gene Mattingly, to the IHSAA Class 3A state championship in June.

Colson, a 6-foot-4, 190-pounder, is the son of T.J. and Lisa Montgomery and has four siblings — Jayden, Myah, Ava and Hudson.

The second day of the draft rounds 2-10 were conducted and nine players with Indiana ties — all pitchers and seven who were preps in the state — were picked.

Indiana University right-hander McCade Brown, a 2018 Normal (Ill.) West High School graduate, was selected in the third round (No. 79 overall) by the Colorado Rockies.

The fireballer — he has been clocked at 97 mph — tied an IU school record with 16 strikeouts in seven no-hit innings.

Brown, 21, finished his third season with the Hoosiers in 2021 at 5-4 with 3.39 ERA. In 61 innings, the 6-foot-6, 225-pounder fanned 97 and walked 43.

Jeff Mercer is Indiana’s head coach with Justin Parker as IU’s pitching coach. Brown played for head coach Chris Hawkins at Normal West.

McCade is the son of Brian and Kim Brown and has a sister, Tyler.

“I can not say enough about what the people at IU mean to me. It will always be a special place for me,” said Brown as quoted at SportsBeezer.com. “Coach (Jeff) Mercer and (pitch coach (Justin) Parker have always been there for me, and not just for baseball. I could always turn to them for anything.”

Purdue University Northwest right-hander and 2017 Hebron (Ind.) High School graduate Chad Patrick was taken in the fourth round (No. 107 overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was the first NCAA Division II player chosen this year and the PNW program’s first-ever draftee.

According to MLB.com, Patrick is “efficient, maintains his velocity deep into games, pounds the strike zone and has a fastball that peaks at 97 mph.”

Patrick, 22, went 5-2 with three shutouts and a 1.89 ERA in eight starts in 2021 — his fourth campaign at Purdue Northwest. In 57 innings, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder whiffed 86 and walked eight.

Dave Griffin is PNW’s head coach. Patrick played for head coach John Steinhilber at Hebron.
Chad is the son of Dan Patrick and Jackie Edwards.

Chayce McDermott, a Ball State University righty and Pendleton (Ind.) Heights High School alum (Class of 2017) went to the Houston Astros as a fourth-round compensation pick (No. 132 overall).

According to MLB.com, 6-foot-3, 197-pound McDermott “has sat at 92-96 (mph) and reached 98 with his four-seam fastball in 2021 while showing the ability to carry mid-90s velocity for several innings at a time. He's still seeking consistency with his secondary pitches, highlighted by an upper-70s curveball with downer break that can be a plus pitch at times but difficult to land at others. He also has a decent mid-80s changeup.”

After being red-shirted in 2018, McDermott pitched three seasons for the Cardinals (2019-21). In 2021, he made 15 starts and went 8-2 with two complete games and a 3.05 ERA. He struck out 125 and walked 36 in 82 2/3 innings.

Rich Maloney is Ball State’s head coach with Larry Scully as Cardinals pitching coach. McDermott, 22, played for head coach Travis Keesling at Pendleton Heights.

Chayce is the son of Mike and Kim McDermott. Brother Sean played in the NBA.

Notre Dame right-hander Tanner Kohlhepp, a 2018 Eau Claire (Wis.) Memorial High School graduate, was chosen in the fifth round (No. 135 overall) by the Detroit Tigers.

Says MLB.com of the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder, “With three pitches and improved control, Tanner Kohlhepp merits a look as a starter at the next level.”

Kohlhepp, 22, pitched at the University of Tennessee in 2019, Iowa Western Community College in 2020 and Notre Dame in 2021, made 23 appearances (22 in relief) and went 7-2 with two saves and a 3.08 ERA in the spring for the Irish. In 61 1/3 innings, he fanned 65 and walked 22.

Link Jarrett is Notre Dame’s head coach with Chuck Ristano as Irish pitching coach. Kohlhepp played for head coach Dan Roehl at Eau Claire Memorial.

Tanner is the son of Trevor and Stephanie Kohlhepp.

Luke Albright, a Kent (Ohio) State University righty and 2018 Fishers (Ind.) High School graduate, was taken in the sixth round (No. 168 overall) by the Diamondbacks.

Albright, 21, wrapped three seasons at Kent (2019-21) with a 6-4 mark in 15 starts in 2021. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder struck out 102 and walked 40 in 82 innings.

What do the D-backs like about Albright?

“I’m a big competitor, I have good command, good velocity and a lot of potential going forward,” Albright told Prep Baseball Report Indiana.

Albright employs a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, curveball, slider and change-up.
His four-seamer has gotten up to 95 mph. Throwing from a high three-quarter arm slot, he throws an “11-to-5” curve and a cutter/slider that is “short, late and tight.”

His change-up has “true arm-side fade.”

He played last summer in the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., then with the Northwoods League’s St. Cloud (Minn.) Rox.

Albright grew up in Fishers, played of the HSE Royals in his younger travel ball years and the Indiana Mustangs while in high school.

Jeff Duncan is Kent State’s head coach with Mike Birkbeck as Golden Flashes pitching coach. Albright played for head coach Matthew Cherry at Fishers.

Luke is the son of Mark and Amy Albright and has a brother, Brock.

Gabe Bierman, a right-hander for Indiana University after graduating from Jeffersonville (Ind.) High School in 2018, was chosen in the seventh round (No. 209 overall) by the Miami Marlins.

Bierman, 21, played three seasons (2019-21) at Indiana. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder’s 2021 campaign featured 12 starts with a 5-4 record, one complete game and a 2.68 ERA. He whiffed 80 and walked 30 in 74 innings.

Said the Miami Herald’s Jordan McPherson of Bierman: “His fastball sits around 89-91 mph and touches 94. (He) has a plus change-up that plays off his fastball as well.”

Bierman played for head coach Derek Ellis at Jeffersonville.

Gabe is the son of Douglas and Andrea Bierman and has one sister (Mekenzi) and four brothers (Elijah, Nick, Ashton and Myles).

Ohio State University righty Garrett Burhenn, a 2018 graduate of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, went to the Detroit Tigers in the ninth round (No. 255 overall).

Burhenn, 21, took the hill at OSU for three seasons (2019-21). In 2021, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder made 13 starts and went 7-2 with one complete game and a 3.81 ERA. He punched out 91 and walked 27 in 80 1/3 innings.

Greg Beals is Ohio State’s head coach with Dan DeLucias as Buckeyes pitching coach. Burhenn played for head coach Richard Winzenread at Lawrence North.

“Garrett Burhenn is steady Eddy and maybe one of the better starters in the Midwest,” Beals told BuckeyesWire’s Phil Harrison. “He just takes the ball and gives his team a chance to win every game. He is in absolute control of himself all week long and when I say that, his preparation is top notch.”

Garrett is the son of Dave and Heather Burhenn and has a brother, Nick.

The Boston Red Sox chose Matt Litwicki, an Indiana University right-hander and 2017 graduate of Lake Central High School in St. John, Ind., in the 10th round (No. 286 overall).

Litwicki, 22, missed the 2018 season due to Tommy John surgery then hurled three seasons (2019-20). The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder came out of the bullpen 10 times in 2021 and went 0-0 with four saves and a 4.50 ERA. He struck out 17 and walked two in 12 innings.

"Waiting for something like this to happen and then it does, it takes the breath right of you,” Litwicki told Jim Hunsley of the Times of Northwest Indiana. Four years ago, this is something I would not have thought I would have experienced."

Litwicki played for head coaches Jeff Sandor and Mike Swartzentruber at Lake Central.

Matt is the son of James and Tracey Litwicki and has a brother, Kyle.

Indiana University left-hander and 2017 Carmel (Ind.) High School graduate Tommy Sommer was a 10th-round choice (No. 305 overall) of the White Sox.

Sommer, 22, hurled for four seasons (2018-21) at IU. Of his 45 appearances, 12 (all starts) came in 2021 when he was 5-4 with a 4.60 ERA. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder racked up 69 K’s and 38 walks in 62 2/3 innings.

At Carmel, Sommer played for head coach Matt Buczkowski.

Tommy is the son of Juergen (a former IU and professional soccer goalkeeper) and Susie Sommer and has a brother, Noah.

Rounds 11-20 were held on Day 3.

Notre Dame first baseman Niko Kavadas, a 2017 Penn High School graduate, was selected by the Red Sox in the 11th round (No. 316 overall).

A lefty-swinging slugger, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound Kavadas popped 46 career home runs for the Irish. He finished the 2021 season — his fourth at ND — hitting .302 with 22 homers, eight doubles, 64 runs batted in and 42 runs scored. His OPS wa .767 (.473 on-base percentage plus .473 slugging average).

The Notre Dame hitting coach is Rich Wallace. Kavadas played for head coach Greg Dikos at Penn.
Niko, 22, is the son of Jim and Robin Kavadas and has three siblings — Carlyle aka C.J., Abigail and Tess.

University of Dayton third baseman Riley Tirotta, a 2017 graduate of Mishawaka (Ind.) Marian High School, was taken in the 12th round (No. 362 overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder and righty batter played four seasons at Dayton (2018-21). In 2021, he hit .337 with 16 homers, two triples, 13 doubles, 58 RBIs, 53 runs and 14 stolen bases. He sported a 1.146 OBP (.450 on-base percentage plus .696 slugging average).

Tirotta played for head coach Jayson King at Dayton. Joe Turnock was his head coach at Marian.
Riley, 22, is the son of Mike and Tirotta and has a brother, Jordan.

University of Virginia right-handed pitcher Zach Messinger, a 2018 graduate of Castle High School in Newburgh, Ind., was picked in the 13th round (No. 393 overall) by the New York Yankees.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder hurled three seasons at UVA (2019-21). In 2021, he made 28 mound appearances (24 in relief) and went 3-2 with a 4.89 ERA. In 57 innings, he struck out 64 and walked 21.

Brian O’Connor is the head coach at Virginia. Messinger played for head coach Curt Welch at Castle.

Indiana University third baseman Cole Barr became the third position player chosen with Indiana ties when he was picked in the 15th round (No. 444 overall) by the Seattle Mariners (Seattle picked Barr in the 37th round in 2019 but he did not sign).

Barr, a 2017 Yorktown (Ind.) High School graduate, played four seasons for the Hoosiers (2018-21). In 2021, the right-swinging 5-foot-11, 195-pounder hit .292 with eight homers, eight doubles, 35 RBIs, 36 runs and a .941 OBP (.415 on-base percentage plus .526 slugging average).

Mercer and former IU assistant Casey Dykes have been key in Barr’s development as a hitter.
Barr, 23, played for head coaches Mike Larrabee and P.J. Fauqher at Yorktown.

Cole is the son of Joe and Cherie Barr. He has three brothers, Alex, Reid and Drew.

Indiana University outfielder Grant Richardson, a 2018 Fishers High School graduate was chosen in the 17th round (No. 513 overall) by the Yankees.

Richardson, a lefty swinger and thrower, has played three seasons for the Hoosiers (2019-21). In 2021, the 6-foot-2, 21-pounder hit .320 with seven homers, two triples, nine doubles, 33 RBIs, 32 runs and 11 stolen bases. His OBP was .914 (.397 on-base percentage plus .517 slugging average).
Richardson played three seasons for head coach Jason Garrett at Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger High School and one for Cherry at Fishers.

Grant, who was drafted on his 22nd birthday (July 13), is the son of Gary and Peggy Richardson. He has a sister, Molly.

Here is a list of the selections:

ROUND (PICK)

1 (9) RHP Sam Bachman, Hamilton Southeastern HS, Miami U. (Ohio), Angels

1 (22) SS Colson Montgomery, Southridge HS, White Sox

3 (79) RHP McCade Brown, Normal (Ill.) West HS, Indiana U., Rockies

4 (107) RHP Chad Patrick, Hebron HS, Purdue U. Northwest, Diamondbacks

4C (132) RHP Chayce McDermott, Pendelton Heights HS, Ball State U., Astros

5 (135) RHP Tanner Kohlhepp, Eau Claire (Wis.) Memorial HS, U. of Notre Dame, Tigers

6 (168) RHP Luke Albright, Fishers HS, Kent State U., Diamondbacks

7 (209) RHP Gabe Bierman, Jeffersonville HS, Indiana U., Marlins

9 (255) RHP Garrett Burhenn, Lawrence North HS, Ohio State U., Tigers

10 (286) RHP Matt Litwicki, Lake Central HS, Indiana U., Red Sox

10 (305) LHP Tommy Sommer, Carmel HS, Indiana U., White Sox

11 (316) 1B Nikos Kavadas, Penn HS, U. of Notre Dame, Red Sox

12 (362) 3B Riley Tirotta, Marian HS, U. of Dayton, Blue Jays

13 (393) RHP Zach Messinger, Castle HS, U. of Virginia, Yankees

15 (444) 3B Cole Barr, Yorktown HS, Indiana U., Mariners

17 (513) OF Grant Richardson, Fishers HS, Indiana U., Yankees
 
Fourteen Indiana high school products were drafted. The schools and the draftees (in alphabetical order) are: 
Carmel — LHP Tommy Sommer
Castle — RHP Zach Messinger
Fishers — RHP Luke Albright, OF Grant Richardson
Hamilton Southeastern — RHP Sam Bachman
Hebron — RHP Chad Patrick
Jeffersonville — RHP Gabe Bierman
Lake Central — RHP Matt Litwicki
Lawrence North — RHP Garrett Burhenn
Marian — 3B Riley Tirotta
Pendleton Heights — RHP Chayce McDermott
Penn — 1B Nikos Kavadas
Southridge — SS Colson Montgomery
Yorktown — 3B Cole Barr

The two players who attended out-of-state high schools (in alphabetical order):

RHP McCade Brown — Normal (Ill.) West (Indiana Univ)
RHP Tanner Kohlhepp —  Eau Claire (Wis.) Memorial (Notre Dame)

2021 MLB DRAFT
PLAYERS SELECTED WITH INDIANA TIES 

Player: Sam Bachman. 
Round: 1. No.: 9. Team: Angels.   
Position: P. School: Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-1/235. 
Born: Sept. 30, 1999.   
High School: Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.), 2018.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $4.95M.

Player: Colson Montgomery. 
Round: 1. No.: 22. Team: White Sox.   
Position: SS. School: Southridge High School (Huntingburg, Ind). 
B/T: L/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-4/190. 
Born: Feb. 27, 2002.   
College commitment: Indiana University.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $3.03M.

Player: McCade Brown. 
Round: 3. No.: 79. Team: Rockies.   
Position: P. School: Indiana University. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-6/225. 
Born: May 15, 2000.   
High School: Normal (Ill.) West HS, 2018.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $740.80K.

Player: Chad Patrick. 
Round: 4. No.: 107. Team: Diamondbacks.   
Position: P. School: Purdue University Northwest. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-1/205. 
Born: Aug. 14, 1998.   
High School: Hebron (Ind.) High School, 2017.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $543.50K.

Player: Chayce McDermott.
Round: 4C. No.: 132. Team: Astros.   
Position: P. School: Ball State University. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-1/205. 
Born: Aug. 22, 1998.   
High School: Pendleton (Ind.) Heights HS, 2017.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $426.60K.

Player: Tanner Kohlhepp. 
Round: 5. No.: 135. Team: Tigers.   
Position: P. School: University of Notre Dame. 
B/T: L/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-4/210. 
Born: May 27, 1999.   
High School: Eau Claire (Wis.) Memorial HS, 2018.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $414K.

Player: Luke Albright.
Round: 6. No.: 168. Team: Diamondbacks.   
Position: P. School: Kent (Ohio) State University.
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-4/215. 
Born: Aug. 14, 1998.   
High School: Fishers (Ind.) High School, 2018.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $301.60K.

Player: Gabe Bierman. 
Round: 7. No.: 209. Team: Marlins.   
Position: P. School: Indiana University. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-2/200. 
Born: Sept. 3, 1999.   
High School: Jeffersonville (Ind.) HS, 2018.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $214.90K.

Player: Garrett Burhenn.
Round: 9. No.: 255. Team: Tigers.   
Position: P. School: Ohio State University. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-3/215. 
Born: Sept. 12, 1999.   
High School: Lawrence North HS (Indianapolis), 2018.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $160.80K.

Player: Matt Litwicki. 
Round: 10. No.: 286. Team: Red Sox.   
Position: P. School: Indiana University. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-2/220. 
Born: Aug. 3, 1998.   
High School: Lake Central HS (St. John, Ind.), 2017.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $148.40K.

Player: Tommy Sommer. 
Round: 10. No.: 305. Team: White Sox.   
Position: P. School: Indiana University. 
B/T: L/L. Ht./Wt.: 6-4/220. 
Born: Sept. 25, 1998.   
High School: Carmel (Ind.) HS, 2017.
MLB.com Approx. Pick Value: $143.60K.

Player: Niko Kavadas. 
Round: 11. No.: 316. Team: Red Sox.   
Position: 1B School: University of Notre Dame. 
B/T: L/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-1/235. 
Born: Oct. 27, 1998.   
High School: Penn HS, 2017.

Player: Riley Tirotta. 
Round: 12. No.: 362. Team: Blue Jays.   
Position: 3B. School: University of Dayton. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-3/195. 
Born: Aug. 21, 1998.   
High School: Marian HS (Mishawaka, Ind.), 2017.

Player: Zach Messinger. 
Round: 13. No.: 393. Team: Yankees. 
Position: RHP.  School: University of Virginia. 
B/T:  R/R. Ht./Wt.: 6-6/225. 
Born: Oct. 4, 1999. 
High School: Castle HS (Newburgh, Ind.), 2018.

Player: Cole Barr. 
Round: 15. No.: 444. Team: Mariners.   
Position: 3B. School: Indiana University. 
B/T: R/R. Ht./Wt.: 5-11/195. 
Born: May 23, 1998.   
High School: Yorktown (Ind.) HS, 2017.

Player: Grant Richardson. 
Round: 17. No.: 513. Team: Yankees.   
Position: OF. School: Indiana University. 
B/T: L/L. Ht./Wt.: 6-2/210. 
Born: July 13, 1999.   
High School: Fishers (Ind.) HS, 2018.