TOPPERS IN THE PROS
Since the 2009 season, WKU baseball has had 18 selections in the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft. Check out how these Pro Hilltoppers have done so far in 2016.
Andrew Edwards (2013) | P | STATS
Organization: Kansas City Royals, Triple-A (Omaha Storm Chasers)
MLB Draft: 2013 (Kansas City Royals - 564th Overall, 19th Round)
What's New: After only giving up one earned run in 10 relief appearances for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Edwards was called up to AAA on May 12, 2016, moving to the Omaha Storm Chasers. He worked two innings of perfect baseball in his debut appearance on the day of his call-up, while also striking out five of the six batters he faced. He has registered five shutout appearances and two saves in his six games with the Storm Chasers, striking out 14 in eight innings of work. During his start with the Naturals this year, Edwards was lights out in relief, racking up 23 strikeouts and only giving up one earned run in 18 innings pitched. In 2015, Edwards did not allow a run in his final eight appearances out of the bullpen for the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Edwards posted 30 strikeouts in 29 appearances for the Blue Rocks. He bounced between starting and bullpen roles for the Lexington Legends in 2014, going 3-5 with a 4.76 ERA before being moved back to Wilmington.
Anderson Miller (2013-15) | OF | STATS
Organization: Kansas City Royals, Class A (Lexington Legends)
MLB Draft: 2015 (Kansas City Royals - 98th overall, 3rd Round)
What's New: Miller, who was listed as the No. 25th-best prospect in the Royals organization on Opening Day, started the 2016 season with his hometown Lexington Legends. He picked up nine hits, seven runs, four RBI and three doubles in 11 games before being added to the disabled list because of a wrist injury that required surgery. He is expected to return at or near the South Atlantic League All-Star break, which is June 20-22. Miller made his professional debut on July 2, 2015 with the AZL Royals before moving to rookie ball in Burlington on July 5, 2015. After hitting .341/.357/.561 with two homers in his first 11 games, Miller was called up to his hometown Lexington Legends on July 18, 2015. Miller played in 43 games for the Legends on the season, tallying 44 hits, with eight going for doubles, 21 RBI and 15 runs scored. Miller became WKU's third highest draft pick in program history in June of 2015 when the Royals selected him 98th overall.
Ian Tompkins (2012-14) | LHP | STATS
Organization: Kansas City Royals, Class A Advanced (Wilmington Blue Rocks)
MLB Draft: 2014 (Kansas City Royals - 423rd overall, 14th Round)
What's New: Tompkins was in his third season in the Kansas City Royals organization, appearing in seven games out of the Wilmington Blue Rocks bullpen before being released on May 5, 2016. Tompkins has made three shutout appearances, including his showing on April 20 where he tossed a perfect 2.2 innings in relief. He started last season with the Idaho Falls Chukars, posting a 4-1 record with 25 strikeouts in 14 appearances in Idaho. He finished his first summer of pro ball 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 10 appearances for the Burlington Royals. He picked up his first career win on June 29, 2014 after tossing 1.2 relief innings, striking out three and allowing one hit. Tompkins struck out 16 batters and only allowed an earned run in one of his 10 appearances for the Royals in 2014.
- Photo credits: Burlington Royals, Lexington Legends, Wilmington Blue Rocks, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Omaha Storm Chasers and David Calvert
