By Alan Grosbach, Manager of Communications and Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Twenty-three NAIA baseball programs had players selected in the 2014 Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft, which wrapped up Saturday, May 7. In total, 37 NAIA student-athletes were picked by 21 different clubs during the three-day, 40-round event.

Oklahoma Baptist’s Julian Merryweather was the first NAIA player off the board after being picked in the fifth round (158th overall) by the Cleveland Indians. The senior right-handed pitcher ended his career at Oklahoma Baptist with a 22-5 record over two seasons. The 2014 NAIA All-American owned a career earned run average of 1.73 in 182 innings with 208 strikeouts.

The first position player drafted was two-time Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year and 2013 NAIA National Player of the Year Matt Page in the 10th round (304 overall) by the Washington Nationals. The senior outfielder ended 2014 ranked among the top five in doubles (28), runs scored (78), RBIs (84) and total bases (156).

Georgia Gwinnett, Oklahoma Baptist, Oklahoma City and San Diego Christian (Calif.) led all NAIA institutions with three players selected each. Bellevue (Neb.), Embry-Riddle (Fla.), Faulkner (Ala.), Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) and St. Thomas (Fla.) also had multiple individuals picked.

The Atlanta Braves had the most NAIA selections with four – Trevor Sprowl of Auburn Montgomery (Ala.), Kyle Kinman of Bellevue, Randy Santiesteban of Peru State (Neb.) and Jacob Webb of Tabor (Kan.).

For the complete breakdown from MLB.com, click here.

To learn more about NAIA baseball, click here.