Four Huskies Drafted on Day Three of 2023 MLB Draft
July 11, 2023 | Baseball
SEATTLE β Washington's Stu Flesland III, Johnny Tincher, Will Simpson and Coby Morales were all selected on the third and final day of the 2023 MLB Draft on Tuesday.
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The draft was held in the Huskies' home of Seattle in conjunction with the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.
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Flesland was the first off the board for Washington on Tuesday, being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 11th round. Johnny Tincher soon followed in the 11th to the Cleveland Guardians, with Will Simpson being selected by the Oakland A's in the 15th round. Coby Morales rounded out UW's selection, going in the 18th round to the New York Yankees.
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The four join pitchers Kiefer Lord and Case Matter, who were drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers, respectively, on Monday. Washington's six total draft picks in 2023 is its most since also having six players picked in 2019. It is the second time since 2014 that UW has had at least five players selected in a single draft.
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After spending his first two seasons at Washington primarily out of the bullpen, Flesland made the move to the Huskies' starting rotation with aplomb in 2023. The left hander took control of UW's Friday night role midseason, earning All-Pac-12 honors by season's end.
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The Colbert, Washington, native ranked second in the conference in starts and innings pitched, posting a 7-2 record, the most wins by a Husky starter since Stevie Emanuels logged eight wis in 2018. Flesland's 4.12 ERA was the sixth-lowest in the Pac-12, ranking ninth in the league with 81 strikeouts.
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A two-time All-Pac-12 performer for Washington, Tincher has demonstrated a miniscule pop time behind the plate and significant pop offensively throughout his two starting campaigns in Purple and Gold.
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The California native registered a .310 batting average with a .901 OPS in 2023, racking up 24 extra base hits on 14 doubles and 10 home runs. Defensively, Tincher owns a .992 career fielding percentage, throwing out 22 would-be base stealers the last two seasons.
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Going down as one of the premier power hitters to ever play on Montlake, Simpson put his best foot forward in 2023 on the way to an All-Pac-12 nod. "Homer" Simpson blasted 18 home runs this past season, the seventh most in a single campaign in program history, ranking fourth-all-time at UW with 36 career dingers.
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Simpson did more than just hit for power in 2023. His .335 batting average was the second highest on the team, easily pacing the Dawgs with a 1.061 OPS. A local product out of Sammamish, Washington, Simpson led Washington in both RBIs and runs scored this past season, posting 58 and 55, respectively.
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After putting up solid numbers as a junior college transfer in 2022, Morales' stock soared this past season as the native Californian earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention laurels. Morales started all 55 games for UW, posting a .332 average with a .980 OPS.
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Showing off a big-league arm in the outfield, Morales' 12 home runs and 52 RBIs were second most on the team behind only Simpson, adding in 49 runs and 11 doubles. The St. John Bosco product flashed a patient approach at the plate, drawing 40 walks to rank seventh in the Pac-12.
For more information on the UW baseball team, follow @UW_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
Β
The draft was held in the Huskies' home of Seattle in conjunction with the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.
Β
Flesland was the first off the board for Washington on Tuesday, being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 11th round. Johnny Tincher soon followed in the 11th to the Cleveland Guardians, with Will Simpson being selected by the Oakland A's in the 15th round. Coby Morales rounded out UW's selection, going in the 18th round to the New York Yankees.
Β
The four join pitchers Kiefer Lord and Case Matter, who were drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers, respectively, on Monday. Washington's six total draft picks in 2023 is its most since also having six players picked in 2019. It is the second time since 2014 that UW has had at least five players selected in a single draft.
Β
After spending his first two seasons at Washington primarily out of the bullpen, Flesland made the move to the Huskies' starting rotation with aplomb in 2023. The left hander took control of UW's Friday night role midseason, earning All-Pac-12 honors by season's end.
Β
The Colbert, Washington, native ranked second in the conference in starts and innings pitched, posting a 7-2 record, the most wins by a Husky starter since Stevie Emanuels logged eight wis in 2018. Flesland's 4.12 ERA was the sixth-lowest in the Pac-12, ranking ninth in the league with 81 strikeouts.
Β
A two-time All-Pac-12 performer for Washington, Tincher has demonstrated a miniscule pop time behind the plate and significant pop offensively throughout his two starting campaigns in Purple and Gold.
Β
The California native registered a .310 batting average with a .901 OPS in 2023, racking up 24 extra base hits on 14 doubles and 10 home runs. Defensively, Tincher owns a .992 career fielding percentage, throwing out 22 would-be base stealers the last two seasons.
Β
Going down as one of the premier power hitters to ever play on Montlake, Simpson put his best foot forward in 2023 on the way to an All-Pac-12 nod. "Homer" Simpson blasted 18 home runs this past season, the seventh most in a single campaign in program history, ranking fourth-all-time at UW with 36 career dingers.
Β
Simpson did more than just hit for power in 2023. His .335 batting average was the second highest on the team, easily pacing the Dawgs with a 1.061 OPS. A local product out of Sammamish, Washington, Simpson led Washington in both RBIs and runs scored this past season, posting 58 and 55, respectively.
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After putting up solid numbers as a junior college transfer in 2022, Morales' stock soared this past season as the native Californian earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention laurels. Morales started all 55 games for UW, posting a .332 average with a .980 OPS.
Β
Showing off a big-league arm in the outfield, Morales' 12 home runs and 52 RBIs were second most on the team behind only Simpson, adding in 49 runs and 11 doubles. The St. John Bosco product flashed a patient approach at the plate, drawing 40 walks to rank seventh in the Pac-12.
For more information on the UW baseball team, follow @UW_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram.
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