Tweet

BLACKSBURG - With the 78th selection of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected junior catcher Mark Zagunis – the fourth pick of the third round – and he becomes the ninth highest ever Tech selection in the MLB draft. The Cinnaminson, N.J., native is actually the eighth highest Tech player ever drafted, as Brad DuVall was taken in back-to-back years (1987-88) in the first round.

Zagunis’ pick was just seven behind former Tech player Chad Pinder, chosen with the 71st pick of the 2013 season by Oakland, and 12 selections ahead of Austin Wates, who was taken with the 90th pick by the Houston Astros in 2010. That means, in the history of the MLB draft, only 10 times has a Hokie been taken within the first 90 picks and it’s happened three times in the last five years, and in back-to-back drafts.

The last time two different players were taken in the top 90 in back-to-back years was during the 1996 and 1997 drafts as Kevin Barker was taken 73rd by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1996 and Denny Wagner was taken with the 42nd pick by the Oakland Athletics a year later.

The Chicago Cubs have chosen just one other Tech player in the draft, as Billy Plante was taken in the 17th round in the 1983 draft with the 424th pick.

For more information on the Hokies' history in the draft, click here.

The 2014 draft will continue with rounds 11 through 40 on Saturday, June 7 with a 1 p.m. start.

For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Baseball