U of L’s Funkhouser makes program history – The Courier-Journal
Kyle Funkhouser became the highest draft pick in the University of Louisville baseball program’s history on Monday when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected the right-handed ace pitcher with the 35th choice in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft.
The pick was included in the compensatory part of the first round of the draft, a reward to the Dodgers for Hanley Ramirez signing with another team.
Funkhouser, who spent Monday night watching his U of L teammates play in Game 3 of the NCAA tournament super regionals, had hoped to be a top-10 pick and said he would be disappointed if he slipped past the 20th spot.
The signing bonus value with the 35th pick, as recommended by Major League Baseball, is $1.756 million, according to Baseball America.
Nick Burdi, a standout closer for U of L who joined the Minnesota Twins organization last summer, held the previous high-pick record. The Twins selected him with the 46th choice in last year’s draft.
Funkhouser, who set a program record in 2014 with 13 wins, was Louisville’s No. 1 starting pitcher again this season, going 8-5 with a 3.20 earned-run average. He struck out 104 batters in 112 1/3 innings, walking 45. Opposing batters hit .228 against him.
In 2014, Funkhouser, a Chicago-area native, posted a 1.27 ERA and struck out 122 batters, the third-highest number in program history.
He pitched for Team USA that summer, making six appearances and five starts.
He has struggled a bit this season, though, running through a few rough starts before settling down for a pair of strong outings in the NCAA tournament. His velocity still touched 95 and 96 mph in the late innings of Louisville’s super regional Game 1 against Fullerton on Saturday.
With his selection, Funkhouser, who is advised by powerful pro baseball agent Scott Boras, will report to the Dodgers once his college season is over.
Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson was the top selection in the draft, picked by the Arizona Diamondbacks. LSU shortstop Alex Bregman (Houston), high schooler Brendan Rodgers (Colorado), UC-Santa Barbara pitcher Dillon Tate (Texas) and high schooler Kyle Tucker (Houston) rounded out the top five picks.
A high school senior who pledged to play for UK next year, outfielder Nick Plummer, was selected with the 23rd pick in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Cincinnati Reds, with the 11th pick in the draft, took catcher Tyler Stephenson, a prep star from Kennesaw Mountain High in Georgia.
The remaining 39 rounds will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, with several U of L and UK players eligible for selection.