sports 2023 MLB Draft tracker Where Cowboy baseball players are headed

190-pound righty led the Big 12 with 124 strikeouts, he also allowed a teamhigh 48 walks.

Nolan McLean, two-way player

Round: Third | Overall pick: 91 |

Team: New York Mets

Braden Bush Sports Editor

The 2023 MLB Draft is here, and through Tuesday afternoon, six Cowboy baseball players have been selected.

Here’s a look at who was drafted and where they’re headed.

This story will be updated throughout the draft.

Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP

Round: Third | Overall pick: 89 |

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

As the Friday starter for one season in Stillwater, Watts-Brown threw 82 1/3 innings with a 5.03 ERA, which was the second best of any Cowboy with more than 40 innings pitched. Watts-Brown started 15 games and amassed a 6-5 record. The 6-foot-3,

McLean has made a name for himself as a two-way prospect the past couple of seasons. At the plate, the 6-foot-4, 214-pound junior batted .250 this season and hit nine home runs with 57 strikeouts in 124 at-bats. On the mound, McLean served as the closer much of the year, picking up a teamhigh six saves, before entering the rotation. Across 14 appearances, McLean pitched 30 innings with 34 strikeouts and a 3.30 ERA to show for. Last year, McLean was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, again in the third round, but did not sign.

Roc Riggio, 2B

Round: Fourth | Overall pick:

Team: New York Yankees

129 |

Riggio did it all for the Cowboys this season. He led OSU in home runs (18), runs (66), walks (46) and slugging percentage (.679). Riggio has been a staple in the starting lineup, where he has manned second base for the past two seasons. The 5-9, 180-pound Riggio turned 33 double plays this season and was named first-team All-Big 12. Riggio was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB Draft but chose to come to Stillwater.

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Marcus Brown, SS

Round: Fifth | Overall pick: 138

Team: Washington Nationals

Brown wasn’t one of the top OSU batters, but his defense at shortstop was excellent and helped the Cowboys maintain one of the best defensive infields in the country. On top of the defense, Brown was reliable, starting in 121 of 124 games the past two years, including all 60 games in 2023. He batted .273 on the season, with nine home runs and 36 RBI.

Brian Hendry, RHP

Round: 10th | Overall pick: 312 |

Team: New York Yankees

Hendry appeared in 16 games and started in five in one season with the Cowboys after transferring from St. John’s, where he missed the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Across 36 2/3 innings, Hendry picked up 51 strikeouts against just 14 walks, while carrying a 6.63 ERA. He pitched at least three innings in six of his first appearances but didn’t reach that mark after April 7 and never surpassed one inning in his final six outings. His 13 strikeouts against Utah Tech tied for the most by a Cowboy in any game this season.

Issac Stebens, RHP

Round: 16th | Overall pick: 478 |

Team: Boston Red Sox

Stebens didn’t start a game in his one year in Stillwater, but his 28 appearances were the most of any Cowboy in 2023. He pitched 64 1/3 innings -- third most on the team -- and maintained a team-low 2.24 ERA with 85 strikeouts against 24 walks. Stebens was a JUCO All-American at Cowley College, where he primarily used the fastball. The Stillwater native transferred to OSU last season and developed his changeup and slider, becoming a staple in the Cowboy rotation and earning six saves.