The 2018 Major League Baseball Draft is complete after 40 compelling rounds. What was your favorite draft moment? I have too many to count. I digress—NC State saw only one current player selected during the third day of the draft, and that was reserve catcher Jack Conley, who went in the 27th round to the Phillies.
Conley would seem highly likely to sign, since he is a junior and this is his last go ‘round with any sort of leverage. Plus he’s blocked at starting catcher by rising sophomore stud Patrick Bailey. Conley will make a lot more money by signing now.
Noteworthy in his absence from the draft is first baseman Evan Edwards, who slashed .297/.419/.564 as a junior this past season. Since he went undrafted, his return is almost certain, and that is good news for the Wolfpack in 2019.
With Edwards back, NC State will return a trio of players who hit double-digit home runs this past season. Edwards, Bailey, and Will Wilson will anchor the lineup next season, which leaves the State offense in good shape despite having some big shoes to fill in other places. Those guys accounted for 44 of State’s 87 home runs in 2018.