By Pete Cava
PBR Indiana Correspondent

Follow @PBRIndiana

Major League Baseball teams selected 31 players with Hoosier connections in this year’s draft, June 9-11. 

The first Indiana player chosen was Ball State University outfielder Alex Call, taken in the third round by the Minnesota Twins.  Call was one of 26 college players drafted.  

The next Hoosier player drafted was right-handed pitcher Skylar Szynski of Penn High School (Mishawaka).  Szynski, the first of five Indiana preps selected, went to the Athletics in the fourth round.  

Call was one of four Ball State players drafted, along with catcher Jarett Rindfleisch (Marlins, 9^th round), pitcher Zach Plesac (Indians, 12^th round) and pitcher Colin Brockhouse (Pirates, 37^th round). 

Four players from Indiana University went, including left-hander Caleb Baragar (Giants, 9^th round), right-hander Jake Kelzer (Phillies, 18^th round), lefty Kyle Hart (Red Sox, 19^th round) and outfielder Craig Dedelow (Pirates, 34^th round). 

Two apiece were drafted from Ohio State and Notre Dame. 

Both Buckeyes were Indiana high school products:  outfielder Troy Montgomery (Angels, 8^th round) went to Mount Vernon-Fortville, while Tanner Tully (Indians, 26^th round) is an Elkhart Central alum. 

The two Irish players were second baseman Cavan Biggio (Blue Jays, 5^th round) and outfielder Torii Hunter Jr. (Angels, 23^rd round).  

Biggio and Hunter are both sons of former big leaguers.  Craig Biggio, a Hall of Fame member, caught and played second base for the Astros from 1989 to 2007.  Torii Hunter Sr. was a five-time All-Star outfielder for the Twins, Angels and Tigers from 1997 to 2015.  

The draft saw players taken from five other Indiana schools:  Purdue (right-hander Matt Frawley, Pirates, 14^th round), IPFW right-hander Evan Miller, Padres, 22^nd round), Indiana State (outfielder Hunter Owen, Pirates, 25^th round), Valparaiso (left-hander Dalton Lundeen, Tigers, 30^th round) and Calumet College of St. Joseph (right-hander Enrique Zamora, Dodgers, 37^th round)  

Along with Ohio State’s Montgomery and Tully, ex-Indiana high school players were drafted out of eight out-of state schools:  Kentucky (right-hander Zack Brown, Brewers, 5^th round), Wright State (shortstop Mitch Roman, White Sox, 12^th round), Xavier (shortstop Andre Jernigan, Twins, 14^th round), Wake Forest (right-hander Parker Dunshee, Cubs, 14^th round), Central Michigan (shortstop  Zach McKinstry, Dodgers, 33^rd round), Northwest Florida State Community College (right-hander J.J. Montgomery, Giants, 33^rd round), Belmont (shortstop Tyler Walsh, Rangers, 39^th round), and San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas (outfielder Aaron Bond, Cardinals, 40^th round). 

Robbie Coursel, a right-hander from Florida Atlantic taken in the 26^th round by the Pirates, is a Michigan City native who attended high school and junior college in St. Petersburg, Fla.    

Along with Synzski, the preps chosen were left-hander Zach Thompson of Wapahani (Rays, 11^th round), outfielder Jackson Pokorny of Evansville Mater Dei (Athletics, 29^th round), second baseman Jaxson Shirley of Lapel (White Sox, 34^th round) and catcher T.J. Collett of Terre Haute North (Twins, 40^th round). 

Broken down by position, the list of draftees includes 16 pitchers (11 righties, five southpaws), seven outfielders, four shortstops, two catchers and two second basemen. 

The Pirates drafted the most players, with five selections (Matt Frawley, Hunter Owen, Robbie Coursel, Craig Dedelow, Colin Brockhouse), followed by the White Sox, who took three (Alex Call, Mitch Roman, Jaxson Shirley).  

The A’s, Angels, Giants, Indians, Twins, and Dodgers all selected two apiece.  Other teams drafting players with Indiana connections were the Brewers, Blue Jays, Marlins, Rays, Cubs, Phillies, Red Sox, Padres, Tigers, Rangers and Cardinals. 

Twenty-one of the players are Indiana natives.  

Four had been drafted previously, but didn’t sign.  Jake Kelzer was drafted twice before (Yankees, 2014, Cubs, 2015), but returned to school.  The others were Zach Brown (Cubs, 2013), Craig Biggio (Phillies, 2013) and Torii Hunter Jr. (Tigers, 2013). 

Along with Biggio and Hunter Jr., five players come from baseball families.  Zach Plesac’s uncle, Dan Plesac, pitched for six big league teams from 1986 to 2003.  Dan Plesac is currently an MLB Network analyst.   

J.J. Montgomery’s older brother, Christian Montgomery, pitches for the Columbia (S.C.) Fireflies of the low-A South Atlantic League, a Mets affiliate. 

Jaxson Shirley is the son of White Sox area scout Mike Shirley.  

Zach McKinstry’s high school coach at Fort Wayne North Side was his dad, Alex.  While at Hamilton Souheastern, Mitch Roman played against his father, Carmel High school coach Dan Roman.  

Torii Hunter Jr. is the top two-sport athlete selected in this year’s draft.  A reserve outfielder on the Notre Dame baseball team, he’s also a star wide receiver for the Irish.  

2016 MLB DRAFT SELEcTIONS 

Player:  Alex Call. 

Round:  3.  No.:  86.  Team:   White Sox. 

Position:  OF.  School:  Ball State University. 

Resides:  River Falls, Wisconsin. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  5-11/185. 

Born:  September 27, 1994, Burnsville, Minnesota.   

Full name:  Alex Marvin Call. 

High school:  River Falls (Wis.) HS, 2013.     

 

Player:  Skylar Szynski. 

Round:  4.  No.:  112.  Team:   Athletics. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Penn HS (Mishawaka, Ind.). 

Resides:  Granger, Ind. 

B/T:  L/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-2/195. 

Born:  July 14, 1997, South Bend, Ind.   

Full name:  Skylar Austin Szynski. 

College commitment:  Indiana University.     

 

Player:  Zack Brown. 

Round:  5.  No.:  141.  Team:   Brewers. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  University of Kentucky. 

Resides:  Seymour, Ind. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-1/180. 

Born:  December 15, 1994, Seymour, Ind.   

Full name:  Zachery Ryan Brown.

High school:  Seymour (Ind.) HS, 2013.

Previously drafted:  Cubs, 2013 (38^th round).

 

Player:  Cavan Biggio. 

Round:  5.  No.:  162.  Team:    Blue Jays. 

Position:  2B.  School:  University of Notre Dame.  

Resides:  Houston, Texas. 

B/T:  L/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-2/190. 

Born:  April 11, 1995, Houston, Texas. 

Full name:  Cavan Thomas Biggio.

High school:  St. Thomas HS (Houston, Texas), 2013.

Previously drafted:  Phillies, 2013 (29^th round).

 

Player:  Troy Montgomery.

Round:  8.  No.:  246.  Team:   Angels. 

Position:  OF.  School:  Ohio State University. 

Resides:  Fortville, Indiana. 

B/T:  L/L.  Ht./Wt.:  5-8/188. 

Born:  August 13. 1994, Indianapolis, Indiana.  

Full name:  Troy Wade Montgomery. 

High school:  Mount Vernon High School (Fortville, Ind.), 2013.

 

Player:  Jarett Rindfleisch.

Round:  9.  No.:  263.  Team:   Marlins. 

Position:  C.  School:  Ball State University. 

Resides:  Middletown, Ohio. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-1/225. 

Born:  September 4, 1995, Reston, Virginia.  

Full name:  Jarett Cole Rindfleisch. 

High school:  Lakota East HS (Middletown, Ohio), 2013.

 

Player:  Caleb Baragar.

Round:  9.  No.:  275.  Team:   Giants. 

Position:  LHP.  School:  Indiana University. 

Resides:  Jenison, Michigan. 

B/T:  R/L.  Ht./Wt.:  6-3/210. 

Born:  April 9, 1994, Grand Rapids, Michigan.  

Full name:  Caleb Charles Baragar. 

High school:  Jenison (Mich) HS, 2012. 

Community college:  Jackson (Mich.) College, 2014.

 

Player:  Zach Thompson. 

Round:  11.  No.:  330.  Team:   Rays. 

Position:  LHP.  School:  Wapahani High School. 

Resides:  Selma, Indiana. 

B/T:  L/L.  Ht./Wt.:  6-3/190. 

Born:  October 28, 1997, Anderson, Indiana.  

Full name:  Zachary David Thompson. 

College commitment:  University of Kentucky.

 

Player:  Mitch Roman. 

Round:  12.  No.:  356.  Team:   White Sox. 

Position:  SS.  School:  Wright State University. 

Resides:  Fishers, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-0/161. 

Born:  March 21, 1995, Fishers, Indiana.  

Full name:  Mitchell Reed Roman. 

High school:  Hamilton Southeastern HS (Fishers, Ind.), 2013

Community college:  Sinclair CC (Dayton, Ohio), 2015.     

 

Player:  Zach Plesac.

Round:  12.  No.:  362.  Team:   Indians. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Ball State University. 

Resides:   Crown Point, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-3/200. 

Born:  January 21, 1995, Crown Point, Indiana.  

Full name:  Zachary Robert Plesac. 

High school:  Crown Point (Ind.) HS, 2013. 

 

Player:  Andre Jernigan. 

Round:  14.  No.:  423.  Team:   Twins. 

Position:  SS.  School:  Xavier University. 

Resides:  Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-0/205. 

Born:  November 16, 1993, Muncie, Indiana.  

Full name:  Andre Jamal Jernigan. 

High school:  Homestead HS (Fort Wayne, Ind.), 2013.     

 

Player:  Parker Dunshee. 

Round:  14.  No.:  434.  Team:   Cubs. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Wake Forest University. 

Resides:  Zionsville, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-1/205. 

Born:  February 12, 1995, Zionsville, Indiana.  

Full name:  Parker Edward Dunshee. 

High school:  Zionsville (Ind.) HS, 2013.

 

Player:  Matt Frawley. 

Round:  17.  No.:  525.  Team:   Pirates. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Purdue University. 

Resides:  Carol Stream, Illinois. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-1/195. 

Born:  August 8, 1995, Elk Grove Village, Illinois.  

Full name:  Matthew Wilson Frawley.

High school:  Glenbard North HS (Carol Stream, Illinois), 2013.

 

Player:  Jake Kelzer. 

Round:  18.  No.:  527.  Team:   Phillies. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Indiana University. 

Resides:  Bloomington, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-8/230. 

Born:  June 30, 1993, Bloomington, Indiana.     

Full name:  Jacob Thomas Kelzer.   

High school:  Bloomington (Ind.) South HS, 2011.

Previously drafted:  Yankees (22^nd round), 2014;  Cubs (14^th round), 2015.

 

Player:  Kyle Hart.

Round:  19.  No.:  568.  Team:   Red Sox.

Position:  LHP.  School:  Indiana University. 

Resides:  Cincinnati, Ohio. 

B/T:  L/L.  Ht./Wt.:  6-5/205. 

Born:  November 23, 1992, Cincinnati, Ohio.  

Full name:  Kyle Patrick Hart. 

High school:  Sycamore HS (Cincinnati), 2012. 

 

Player:  Evan Miller. 

Round:  22.  No.:  654.  Team:   Padres. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Indiana U.-Purdue U. Fort Wayne. 

Resides:  LaPorte, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-1/180. 

Born:  May 23, 1995, LaPorte, Indiana.  

Full name:  Evan Carl Miller.   

High school:  LaPorte (Ind.) HS, 2013.     

 

Player:  Torii Hunter Jr.

Round:  23.  No.:  696.  Team:   Angels. 

Position:  OF.  School:  University of Notre Dame. 

Resides:  Prosper, Texas. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-2/180. 

Born:  June 7, 1995, Prosper, Texas.  

Full name:  Torii Kedar Hunter Jr. 

High school:  Prosper (Texas) HS, 2013.

Previously drafted:  Tigers (36^th round), 2013.

 

Player:  Hunter Owen. 

Round:  25.  No.:  765.  Team:   Pirates. 

Position:  OF.  School:  Indiana State University. 

Resides:  Evansville, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-0/195. 

Born:  September 22, 1993, Evansville, Indiana.  

Full name:  Hunter Stephen Owen. 

High school:  Evansville (Ind.) Mater Dei HS, 2011.     

 

Player:  Tanner Tully.

Round:  26.  No.:  782.  Team:   Indians. 

Position:  LHP.  School:  Ohio State University. 

Resides:  Elkhart, Indiana. 

B/T:  L/L.  Ht./Wt.:  6-0/200. 

Born:  November 30, 1994, Elkhart, Indiana.  

Full name:  Tanner Paul Tully. 

High school:  Elkhart (Ind.) Central HS, 2013.

 

Player:  Robbie Coursel. 

Round:  26.  No.:  795.  Team:   Pirates. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Florida Atlantic University. 

Resides:  Clearwater, Florida. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-2/195. 

Born:  December 1, 1993, Michigan City, Indiana. 

Full name:  Robert Michael Coursel. 

High school:  Northeast HS (St. Petersburg, Fla.) 2012.

Community College:  St. Petersburg (Fla.) College 2014.     

 

Player:  Jackson Pokorney. 

Round:  29.  No.:  859.  Team:   Athletics. 

Position:  OF.  School:  Evansville (Ind.) Mater Dei. 

Resides:  Evansville, Indiana. 

B/T:  S/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-3/205. 

Born:  April 28, 1998, Evansville, Indiana.  

Full name:  Jackson John Pokorney. 

College commitment:  Rend Lake College (Ina, Ill.).

 

Player:  Dalton Lundeen. 

Round:  30.  No.:  895.  Team:   Tigers. 

Position:  LHP.  School:  Valparaiso University. 

Resides:  Streamwood, Illinois.

B/T:  L/L.  Ht./Wt.:  6-3/195.

 Born:  October 10, 1993, Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Full name:  Dalton David Lundeen.

High school:  Streamwood (Ill.) HS, 2012.

 

Player:  J.J. Montgomery.

Round:  33.  No.:  995.  Team:   Giants. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Northwest Florida State Community College. 

Resides:  Indianapolis, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-0/200. 

Born:  June 1, 1997, Indianapolis, Indiana.  

Full name:  Jarrett James Montgomery. 

High school:  Lawrence Central HS (Indianapolis, Ind.), 2015.

 

Player:  Zach McKinstry.

Round:  33.  No.:  1,001.  Team:  Dodgers. 

Position:  SS.  School:  Central Michigan University. 

Resides:  Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

B/T:  L/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-1/175. 

Born:  April 29, 1995, Toledo, Ohio.  

Full name:  Zachary Nathan McKinstry. 

High school:  Fort Wayne (Ind.) North Side, 2014.

 

Player:  Jaxon Shirley.

Round:  34.  No.:  1,016.  Team:   White Sox. 

Position:  2B.  School:  Lapel (Ind.) High School. 

Resides:  Anderson, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-4/190. 

Born:  December 5, 1997, Anderson, Indiana.   

Full name:  William Jaxson Shirley. 

Previous high school:  Pendleton (Ind.) Heights HS, 2014.  

College commitment:  Indiana University.

 

Player:  Craig Dedelow.

Round:  34.  No.:  1,035.  Team:   Pirates. 

Position:  OF.  School:  Indiana University. 

Resides:  Munster, Indiana. 

B/T:  L/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-4/195. 

Born:  November 15, 1994, Munster, Indiana.  

Full name:  Craig Allen Dedelow. 

High school:  Munster (Ind.) HS, 2013.

 

Player:  Enrique Zamora. 

Round:  37.  No.:  1,121.  Team:   Dodgers. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Calumet College of St. Joseph (Whiting, Indiana). 

Resides:  Hammond, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-3/245. 

Born:  December 9, 1993, Hammond. 

Full name:  Enrique Zamora. 

High school:  Hammond Clark HS (Whiting, Indiana), 2012.     

 

Player:  Colin Brockhouse. 

Round:  37.  No.:  1,125.  Team:   Pirates. 

Position:  RHP.  School:  Ball State University. 

Resides:  Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-3/194. 

Born:  July 23, 1995, Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

Full name:  Colin David Brockhouse. 

High school:  Fort Wayne (Ind.) Northrop HS, 2014.     

 

Player:  Tyler Walsh.

Round:  39.  No.:  1,179.  Team:  Rangers. 

Position:  SS.  School:  Belmont University. 

Resides:  Evansville, Indiana. 

B/T:  R/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-5/215. 

Born:  April 11, 1995, Albany, New York.  

Full name:  Tyler Anthony Walsh. 

High school:  Evansville (Ind.) Mater Dei HS, 2013.

 

Player:  Aaron Bond.

Round:  40.  No.:  1,186.  Team:  Cardinals. 

Position:  OF.  School:  San Jacinto College (Pasadena, Texas). 

Resides:  South Bend, Indiana. 

B/T:  L/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-5/195. 

Born:  February 16, 1997, South Bend, Indiana.  

Full name:  Aaron Robert Bond. 

High school:  South Bend (Ind.) Clay HS, 2015.

 

Player:  T.J. Collett.

Round:  40.  No.:  1,203.  Team:  Twins. 

Position:  C.  School:  Terre Haute North Vigo High School. 

Resides:  Terre Haute, Indiana. 

B/T:  L/R.  Ht./Wt.:  6-0/227. 

Born:  June 26, 1997, Terre Haute, Indiana.  

Full name:  Timothy John Collett. 

College commitment:  University of Kentucky.

Pete Cava is the author of Indiana-Born Major League Baseball Players: A Biographical Dictionary, 1871-2014, now available from McFarland Publishers.