FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2016
MANSFIELD, Mass. - Seven student-athletes from four Northeast-10 Conference schools were selected on the third day of the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft Saturday.
Including the seven that were selected this year, the NE-10 has now had 26 players drafted over the last four years.
Southern New Hampshire led the way as three Penmen were selected, followed by two from Franklin Pierce, and one each from Adelphi and Pace. The Penmen were tops amond Division II schools that had at least three players drafted with an average pick of 491.67.
With their two selections this year, Franklin Pierce has now had 28 student-athletes drafted in program history, beginning with Justin Blood in 2001. Since that first selection, only Boston College (49) and Connecticut (44) have had more draftees among New England schools, regardless of division.
SNHU's Tim Viehoff, pictured, the NE-10 Pitcher of the Year, was chosen by the Seattle Mariners with the 11th pick of the 12th round and the 357th overall choice. He becomes the highest selection ever for the Penmen, surpassing Jason Paul, who was selected in the 15th round, 461st overall, by the Atlanta Braves in 2004.
Justin Valdespina was tabbed by the Colorado Rockies with the fourth pick of the 15th round and the 440th overall selection to become the second-highest drafted player in program history.
Franklin Pierce's senior third basemen Jay Jabs, a two-time NE-10 Player of the Year, was selected by the New York Mets in the 17th round (520th overall). Manny Cruz was taken by the Cincinnati Reds with the second pick of the 23rd round and the 678th selection overall and is now the sixth-highest pick ever for the Penmen.
Following Cruz was Franklin Pierce right-handed pitcher Paul Covelle, who was selected in the 27th Round by the Mariners. Adelphi starter Jonathon Mulford was picked by the Cardinals in the 34th Round, and Pace shortstop Brett Bittiger was tabbed by the Oakland Athletics in the 40th Round.
Following the completion of the draft, Southern New Hampshire's Mike Mastroberti signed a professional contract with the Ottawa Champions of the Independent Can-Am league.
So appreciative to share moments with players that realize their childhood dream rewarding to say the least thankful as heck #theirdreamjob
— Jayson King (@JaysonKing26) June 12, 2016
2016 MLB Draftees from the NE-10 (in order of selection)
Tim Viehoff, Southern New Hampshire – Seattle Mariners, 12th Round
Justin Valdespina, Southern New Hampshire – Colorado Rockies, 15th Round
Jay Jabs, Franklin Pierce – New York Mets, 17th Round
Manny Cruz, Southern New Hampshire – Cincinnati Reds, 23rd Round
Paul Covelle, Franklin Pierce –Seattle Mariners, 27th Round
Jonathon Mulford, Adelphi – St. Louis Cardinals, 34th Round
Brett Bittiger, Pace – Oakland Athletics, 40th Round
*Mike Mastroberti, Southern New Hampshire - Signed Independent League Contract with Ottawa
ABOUT THE NORTHEAST-10
The Northeast-10 Conference is an association of 15 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that is committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 6,500 student-athletes.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
