NEW YORK -- After an exciting first day the MLB Draft, which was highlighted by a group of flamethrowing prep pitchers and euphoric reactions, Day 2 of the proceedings began on Friday when the Phillies selected Nebraska high school shortstop Cole Stobbe with the first pick of the third round. The selection meant Philadelphia selected three high schoolers with its first three picks. Meanwhile, the majority of teams gave the third round more of a collegiate feel.
Seventeen of the 29 third-round selections came from the college ranks, with Louisville and Florida again strongly represented. Twelve of the first 100 players drafted came from one of those two schools.
This round also featured the first player not ranked on MLB Pipeline's Top 200 to be drafted, the Southeastern Conference's regular-season strikeout leader and an Air Force star who had his military service requirement deferred.
Highlights from Round 3
Louisville has turned into a college baseball powerhouse, and that has been clear in the Draft thus far, with Cardinals outfielder Corey Ray leading the way as the No. 5 overall pick to Milwaukee. On Day 2, the Braves selected Louisville lefty Drew Harrington with the third pick of round three, No. 80 overall. Twenty picks later, the Mets selected his Louisville teammate Blake Tiberi No.100 overall. Tiberi is a third baseman that showed elite contact rate in the Cape Cod league.
These two picks gave Louisville six players drafted in the first three rounds, tied with Florida -- which saw lefty A.J. Puk go off the board first to Oakland at No. 6 overall -- for the most of any school. The Cardinals and the Gators are the two top-ranked in college baseball, with the Gators hosting Florida State in an NCAA Super Regional that begins on Saturday and the Cardinals hosting UC Santa Barbara in a Super Regional that begins the same day.
The Astros at No. 97 picked Tulane catcher Jake Rogers, who some scouts consider the best defensive player in the draft at any position. The Brewers nabbed South Carolina right-hander Bradon Webb with the No. 82 pick after Webb, a rare draft-eligible freshman, led the SEC in strikeouts.
Griffin Jax, a right-hander out of Air Force and the son of former NFL linebacker Garth Jax, saw his Draft profile skyrocket after it became likely that his active duty requirement would be deferred. The Twins picked Jax with the 93rd overall pick.
Other college stars selected included Cal State shortstop Garrett Hampson (No. 81 to Rockies), Wright State catcher Sean Murphy (No. 83 to A's), San Diego shortstop Bryson Brigman (No. 87 to Mariners), Arkansas closer Zach Jackson (No. 102 to Blue Jays) and Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Thomas Hatch of Oklahoma State (No. 104 to Cubs).
Joe Trezza is a reporter for MLB.com based in New York. Follow him on Twitter at @joetrezz. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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