UO release – EUGENE, Ore. – A day after Brock Moore was selected on day two of the 2024 MLB Draft, four more Ducks were picked on the final day of the draft with right-handed pitcher RJ Gordon, catcher Bennett Thompson, center fielder Bryce Boettcher and right-handed pitcher Isaac Ayon all having their names called on Tuesday. Gordon, Thompson and Boettcher all were selected in the 13th round, marking the first time ever that more than two Ducks have been drafted in a single round of the MLB Draft. Ayon, picked for the second consecutive draft, went in the 18th round. The selection of the five Ducks marked the sixth consecutive MLB Draft that Oregon has had four-or-more players picked, and the third time in the last five drafts that at least five have been drafted (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 five-round draft). Oregon’s three 13th-round picks went within 21 picks of each other with Gordon and Thompson selected two picks apart. The New York Mets picked Gordon with the eighth pick of the 13th round, the 383rd overall pick. The Ducks’ Friday night starter’s selection marked the second consecutive year that Oregon has had multiple pitchers selected in the draft. He is the third Duck drafted by the Mets and the first since David Peterson went to New York in the first round of the 2017 draft. The Cleveland Guardians chose Thompson two picks after Gordon. The Ducks’ catcher was the 385th overall selection and the second-highest Ducks’ catcher to be drafted in the modern era of Oregon baseball. He is just the second Duck to be selected by the Cleveland organization, joining infielder KC Serna who was picked in the 2011 draft. The Houston Astros made Boettcher their 13th-round selection with the 403rd overall pick. The South Eugene High School product’s selection marked the fifth straight draft that an Oregon outfielder has been chosen. He joins Colby Shade (2023), Anthony Hall (2022), Aaron Zavala (2021) and Jonny DeLuca (2019). Boettcher is just the third Duck to be selected by the Astros and the first since 1975. Ayon was the fourth Duck taken during day three of the draft and the fifth overall when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him with the 550th overall pick. The right-hander became the fourth Duck to be drafted by the Dodgers and the first since DeLuca in 2019. Ayon was also picked in the 20th round of the 2023 draft by the Washington Nationals. He joins Drew Gagnier (2009, 2010), Alex Keudell (2011, 2012), Scott Heineman (2014, 2015) and Cole Irvin (2015, 2016) as Ducks selected in back-to-back drafts.
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