Three Current K-State Baseball Players Drafted This Week (Through 25 Rounds)
By Dave Thoman
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
On the heels of a Big 12 Championship and the school’s first ever Super Regionals berth, Kansas State had three players drafted this in the MLB. Jared King (New York Mets), Ross Kivett (Cleveland Indiants), and Shane Conlon (Kansas City Royals) were all selected to stock farm systems, and, hopefully, star in the Majors one day. In addition, one signee was drafted by the New York Yankees.
King was the first player Wildcat selected in the draft, going to the Mets in the fifth round. A preseason Gold Spikes candidate, King hit .327 this year with 15 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 51 RBI. The left fielder was a First Team All-Big 12 selection and a member of the NCAA Manhattan All-Regional team.
Second baseman Kivett had a breakout season in 2013, setting the single-season school record for at-bats (248) while ranking fourth in hits (90) and third in singles (70) as the team’s lead-off hitter. He was selected in the 10th round by the Indians after Collegiate Baseball named him an All-American. Kivett was awarded MVP of last week’s Manhattan Regional after hitting 6-for-12 with two home runs and five RBI.
Finally, Shane Conlon will hope to continue playing a short distance from Tointon Family Stadium after being selected in the 21st round by the Kansas City Royals. The first Wildcat selected by the Royals since 1998, the first baseman was another First Team All-Big 12 selection and joined King and Kivett on the Manhattan All-Regional team. Conlon hit .350 this year while leading the team with seven home runs and tying for first in the conference with runs scored (55). Conlon is a redshirt sophomore who will have additional time to develop, and also brings a stellar defensive skill set to the field. He committed just three errors this year with a .993 fielding percentage.
In addition to those currently wearing the uniform, K-State signee Jordan Floyd was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 25th round. The left-handed pitcher from Shawnee Heights High School is ranked third in the state and 70th nationally in the 2013 class.