With the 2019 MLB Draft now in the books, we have a clearer picture of what the UCF Knights Baseball team’s roster will look like heading into 2020. Overall, Head Coach Greg Lovelady should be happy with the results, as he might have some returnees he thought he might not have coming back.

First, let’s look at who got chosen:

Seniors Drafted

RHP Jordan Spicer - Colorado Rockies (24th Round)

• 2019: 3-0, 3.14 ERA, 47K in 14 appearances (13 starts)

RHP Garrett Westberg - Seattle Mariners (26th Round)

• 2019: 2-5, 3.38 ERA, 55K in 30 appearances

INF Tyler Osik - Chicago White Sox (27th Round)

• 2019: .325, 10 HR, 40 RBI, .952 OPS

Breakdown: All three guys picked went late, so this is a sort of last chance for all three. They’ll have to work their way up from Rookie Ball. Nonetheless, they heard their named called, and that’s nothing to sneeze at.

High School Commits Drafted

LHP Keegan Pulford-Thorpe - San Diego Padres (33rd Round)

LHP Hunter Patteson - Chicago Cubs (35th Round)

Breakdown: Two lefties off the board for the Knights might not sound great, but considering they were drafted so late, the bonus money available might not be enough to entice them to not come to UCF. We’ll have to wait and see until the signing deadline to determine what they do.

Listen to our latest podcast for a full UCF Baseball/MLB Draft breakdown:

Seniors Not Drafted

• RHP Kyle Kemp
• RHP Chris Williams
• LHP Grant Schuermann
• 2B Matthew Mika

Breakdown: Prior injuries and mileage questions were the main factors in the three pitchers not getting their names called, although Mika’s going undrafted was a mold-to-moderate surprise, especially considering the tools he showed this year in the hitting, power and speed department.

Underclassmen Not Drafted

Photo: Derek Warden

• OF Ray Alejo
• C Dallas Beaver

Breakdown: Both Alejo and Beaver were key to the Knights’ success, and it was a surprise in baseball circles that neither of them got drafted, particularly Alejo, who seemed to get caught in a numbers game among the top outfielders in the draft. it’s not known for sure whether they’ll be back, as they could elect to leave school and sign pro contracts if offered. But the mere fact that they weren’t drafted dramatically ups the chances that they’ll be back at UCF for their senior seasons in 2020.