2020 Frisco Classic Teams Conclude Their 2019 Campaigns

The Illinois Fighting Illini finished their season at 36-21 overall with an impressive 15-9 conference record in the Big 10. Dan Hartleb's squad got the Illini back in the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2015. Despite the Iliini's elimination in the Regionals, Illinois tallied six draftees in this years MLB Draft. Top pick for the Illini was junior 2B Jack Massey by the Royals in the fourth round. Senior outfielder Jack Yalowitz was tabbed on the second day of the draft as well after being drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 10th round. In the very next round, junior SS Ben Troike was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. On the final day of the draft, the Illini had three more players picked.

Junior RHP Cyrillo Watson: Los Angeles Dodgers, 23rd Round

Senior RHP Quentin Sefcik: Cincinnati Reds, 24th Round

Senior OF Zac Taylor: Chicago Cubs, 25th Round

The Illini concluded the season with a big win however, and that is returning reliever Garrett Acton, who completed his season with All Conference accolades as well being named a Rawlings/Perfect Game All American. Acton also carries himself with a 3.98 GPA, so expect him to come to Frisco with aims of a college degree and a very high draft stock. Illinois got a steal retaining Acton for one more year.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys concluded their seventh season under future Hall of Fame coach Josh Holliday at the 40 win mark and Big 12 Conference Tournament Champions. Shortly after winning the conference tournament in Bricktown Ballpark, the Cowboys returned to Oklahoma City again, winning their Regional before losing in a grueling three game series to Texas Tech in the Super Regionals. Even though the Cowboys didn't make to Omaha this season, they hail eight players who were selected in this years MLB Draft. Five of the eight players drafted were from the pitching staff, including the Cowboys top pick Logan Gragg, who was tabbed in the eighth round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Another pick on the second day of the draft went to pitcher Peyton Battenfield in the following round with the Houston Astros. On the final day of the draft, Oklahoma State had six players get selected.

Junior LHP Brady Basso: Oakland Athletics, 16th Round

Junior OF Trevor Boone: Colorado Rockies, 18th Round

Junior RHP Jensen Elliott: Baltimore Orioles, 19th Round

Junior SS Andrew Navigato: Detroit Tigers, 20th Round

Junior RHP Jake Lyons: Baltimore Orioles, 22nd Round

Senior C/OF Colin Simpson: Colorado Rockies, 29th Round

The Cowboys will be back in Frisco for the first time since our first ever Frisco Classic back in 2017.

The UCLA Bruins were the #1 ranked team in the country throughout the majority of the season until they lost to Michigan during the Wolverines magical run in the Super Regionals. Throughout the entire season, John Savage's squad won every single weekend series this season as well as going undefeated during mid-week games, completing their season at 52-11 and an outstanding conference record of 24-5. The Bruins star studded roster shined its light during this years MLB Draft, setting the UCLA baseball record of players drafted at a staggering 13. On the first day of the draft, a trio of Bruins were selected. That included Junior 1B Michael Toglia who was the Bruins top pick, going 23rd overall to the Colorado Rockies. Junior Ryan Garcia went 50th overall to the Texas Rangers and soon after, Junior 2B Chase Strumpf went to the Chicago Cubs as the 64th overall pick. On the second day of the draft, defensive star Ryan Kriedler was selected in the fourth round by the Detroit Tigers. Additionally, breakout star pitcher Jack Ralston completed his season with 11 wins on the year, was selected in the seventh round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Junior outfielder Jeremy Ydens was chosen in the following round by the Washington Nationals. On the final day of the draft, seven Bruins were selected.

Redshirt Junior LHP Justin Hooper: Kansas City Royals, 17th Round

Junior OF Jack Stronach: San Diego Padres, 21st Round

Senior OF Jake Pries: New York Yankees, 24th Round

Redshirt Senior RHP Nate Hadley: Minnesota Twins, 25th Round

Redshirt Sophomore RHP Kyle Molnar: Los Angeles Angels, 26th Round

Senior IF Jake Hirabayashi: Minnesota Twins, 39th Round

Senior Catcher Ty Haselman: Los Angeles Dodgers, 40th Round

The Texas A&M Aggies concluded their 2019 campaign with a 39-23-1 overall record and a conference record of 16-13-1. Their winning record and conference play as well as the overall amount of wins in the season proved enough to place them as the #2 seed in the Morgantown Regional hosted by West Virginia University. However, it was the #3 seeded Blue Devils out of Duke who eliminated the Aggies and the Mountaineers. The Aggies had the fewest amount of players (4) get drafted out of this group of teams, however the Aggies produced first round pick infielder Braden Shewmake, getting selected by the Atlanta Braves. Shewmake will be joined by fellow teammate Kasey Kalich, as he was tabbed by the Braves in the fourth round. LHP John Doxakis was high draft pick as well, going to the Tampa Bay Rays. On the last day of the draft, the Aggies were fortunate enough to have the lengthy RHP Mason Cole get selected by the Texas Rangers in the 27th round.

There will have a lot of talent returning to College Station next season, so you can expect Rob Childress's 15th season to bring a lot of tenacity and improvement from last season. The Aggies will be back in Frisco again for the second time in the past 3 years.