Robinson, 5 L-C mates getting a look

Unlike some pro hopefuls, J.J. Robinson was under no illusions heading into this week's Major League Baseball draft. He knew he had a chance of being selected, but he was also aware that he might get passed over.

So Robinson had two plans: one involving pro baseball, and one where he left his playing days behind. Turns out, he'll get to pursue Plan A.

Robinson, a powerhouse slugger from Colfax and the Lewis-Clark State baseball team, was selected in the 33rd round (976th overall) by the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

Robinson is one of six Warriors who were picked Wednesday. The others drafted were infielder Micah Brown (19th round by Miami), pitcher Kevin Hamann (22nd round by St. Louis), relief pitcher Henry McAree (29th round by Miami), infielder Seaver Whalen (32nd round by Tampa Bay) and catcher Cooper Goldby (35th round by Oakland). On Tuesday, LCSC had pitcher Connor Brodgon selected in the 10th round by Philadelphia.

Washington State had three players selected: pitcher Damon Jones (18th round by Philadelphia), third baseman Shane Matheny (23rd round by San Francisco) and pitcher Colby Nealy (35th round by the Dodgers).

Robinson, who started his collegiate career at WSU, also played at a junior college and spent the last two seasons at LCSC, where he was the most dangerous slugger on a pair of national-title-winning clubs. He was named NAIA West Player of the Year and an NAIA All-American both seasons and had a two-year total of 37 homers and 150 RBI.

But he has also had three surgeries - which apparently had a significant impact on his pro prospects.

"It's a business, so they've got to produce good guys and guys that are going to last a long time," Robinson said Wednesday. "I understand that. I just was hoping someone would take a chance. I was very fortunate."

Robinson had some contact with Twins scout Trevor Brown, who is a former LCSC player himself. Robinson was monitoring the draft when he got a text message from Brown.

"He asked me, 'Are you watching the draft?' I go, 'I'm watching it on my computer.' Names popping up and stuff. He goes, 'Well, keep watching.' Next thing I know, my name pops up and it was like, 'Oh, shoot, that's awesome.' "

Robinson said he will travel to Florida on Monday for signing and orientation. He isn't certain what minor-league outpost will be his first stop. "I'll find out on the fly," he said.

The Warriors drafted were all seniors other than Micah Brown, a junior. Brown, a Medford, Ore., resident who was picked 569th overall, played mainly at third base and hit .308 with 13 doubles, three triples and five homers this season. He also drove in 32 and was 12-of-14 in stolen bases.

Hamann, the 664th player selected, posted an 8-1 record with a 4.26 ERA this season. The Bend, Ore., resident led the team in games started with 13 and tied for the lead in wins with Brogdon.

McAree was picked 869th overall and was the second Warrior selected by Miami. The right-hander from Shoreline, Wash., put together two solid seasons for the Warriors. In 2016, he went 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA; this season, he went 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA and four saves.

Whalen, a transfer from Loyola Marymount who was picked 949th overall, hit .326 with 13 homers and 53 RBI in his one season with the Warriors. The Vancouver, Wash., native earned NAIA West first-team honors.

Goldby, selected 1,041st overall, was the Warriors' primary catcher after serving as a backup the previous season. The Yuba City, Calif., product hit .320 with seven doubles, one home run and 23 RBI. Defensively, he threw out 12 of the 32 stolen-base attempts against him and allowed only two passed balls all season.

According to MLB.com, Michigan, Texas, Stanford and Chipola Junior College out of Florida tied for the most players taken from one school during the 2017 draft with 11. The schools that had seven players drafted included LCSC, Cal State Fullerton, Houston, Tampa and Oklahoma State.

"We are very happy for the group that got drafted this year," LCSC coach Jeremiah Robbins said in a written release. "The 2017 Warriors are a special group of teammates. Without each other, these individual accomplishments would not have happened. We wish them all continued success in professional baseball. MLB and LCSC baseball will continue to have a great relationship."

The current Cougars selected Wednesday were all juniors, meaning they could potentially return to WSU.

Jones, who was taken 533rd overall, served as the Cougars' Friday-night starter most of the season, posting a 3-3 record in 16 appearances including 13 starts. The left-hander from Twin Falls, Idaho, struck out 41 hitters in 682/3 innings and led all Pac-12 pitchers with six pickoffs.

Matheny, taken 696th overall, was an All-Pac-12 selection after leading the Cougars with a .309 batting average, three triples and 34 RBI. The Bremerton, Wash., native also hit three homers, recorded a .408 on-base percentage, stole five bases, and tied for the team-lead with 17 multiple-hit games.

Nealy, selected 1,060th, tied for seventh in the Pac-12 with 27 appearances and posted a 4-3 record. The right-hander from Bothell, Wash., recorded 21 strikeouts in 392/3 innings of work with all but one appearance out of the bullpen.

Cougar signees Isaiah Smith (selected in the 21st round by Kansas City) and Jack Smith (taken in the 39th round by Seattle) were also drafted.

Other notable players taken include Tyler Adkison (32nd round by the Dodgers), who played at San Diego State and is the older brother of Grangeville High standout Chase Adkison, as well as Michael Sexton, a former LCSC Warrior who spent the last two season at The Master's and was taken in the 14th round by San Francisco.

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Baney may be reached at mbaney@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2258.