Former NIACC right-handed pitcher Patrick Pridgen was selected Tuesday in the 15th round of the MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers.
Pridgen, who played at NIACC from 2018-20, was the 447th pick of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Also, former NIACC right-handed pitcher Jake Christianson was selected in the 15th round (464th pick) by the Tampa Bay Rays. Former NIACC catcher/outfielder Ryan Wrobleski was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 20th round (613th pick).
Pridgen, who played last season at Florida International University, is the first NIACC player selected since right-handed pitcher Harrison Beethe was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Pridgen is the eighth NIACC player selected in the MLB Draft since the 2016 draft.
Pridgen, who was a sophomore at FIU last season, was 2-7 with a 4.77 earned run average in 71 2/3 innings pitched for FIU in 2022. Pridgen, who is from Apple Valley, Minn., struck out 112 with 44 walks last season.
At NIACC, Pridgen compiled a career record of 8-4 with a 3.40 ERA. He compiled 97 career strikeouts, which is tied for 12th on the school’s all-time career list.
Pridgen’s best year as a Trojan was the 2019 season when he was 7-2 with a 3.47 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 35 walks in 62 1/3 innings pitched.
Christianson, who is from Eagan, Minn., played for Feather River College, a 2-year school located in Quincy, Calif., in the 2022 season. Christianson was 5-3 with eight saves with 55 strikeouts and six walks for the Golden Eagles in 2022.
At NIACC in 2019, Christianson was 1-0 with 16 strikeouts and six walks with a 3.52 ERA in 15 1/3 innings pitched. He also was 9 for 29 (.310) with one home run and five RBIs at the plate.
Wrobleski, who played at Dallas Baptist from 2020-22, had a career average of .286 with 18 home runs, 20 doubles and 65 RBIs. Wrobleski, who is from Eden Prairie, Minn., hit .318 with eight home runs, nine doubles and 29 RBIs in the 2022 season.
In 2021, Wrobleski was the MVP of the Fort Worth Regional.
At NIACC in 2019, Wrobleski hit .432 (16 for 37) with three home runs, three doubles and nine RBIs in 10 games played.
NIACC MLB DRAFT PICKS
2005 – Steve Salas (RHP) – 22nd round by the Los Angeles Angels
2016 – Malique Ziegler (OF) – 22nd round by the San Francisco Giants
2017 – Robbie Glendinning (SS) – 21st round by the Pittsburgh Pirates
2018 – Luke Becker (2B) – 9th round by the San Diego Padres
2018 – Evan Reifert (RHP) – 30th round by the Texas Rangers
2018 – Brandon Williamson (LHP) – 36th round by the Milwaukee Brewers
2019 – Brandon Williamson (LHP) – 2nd round by the Seattle Mariners
2019 – Bryce Ball (1B) – 24th round by the Atlanta Braves.
2019 – Harrison Beethe (RHP) – 39th round by the Milwaukee Brewers.
2021 – Harrison Beethe (RHP) – 18th round by the Kansas City Royals.
2022 – Jake Christianson (RHP) – 15th round by the Tampa Bay Rays.
2022 – Patrick Pridgen (RHP) – 15th round by the Detroit Tigers.
2022 – Ryan Wrobleski (C) – 20th round by the Houston Astros.
