The Danbury Westerners, the longest tenured team in the prestigious (“NECBL”) New England Collegiate Baseball League, are proud to announce that six of its former ballplayers were selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball amateur draft.
In the 18th round, Chris Morris, a member of the 2015 team, was drafted by the Texas Rangers. Morris is a right-handed pitcher who started eight games for the Westerners, posting a 2-3 record.
In the 19th round, outfielder Joey Bartosic, another member of the 2015 team, was selected by the Colorado Rockies. Bartosic only played 11 games for the Westerners before suffering a season-ending injury, but got 12 hits and scored six runs, while hitting .273.
In the 22nd round, right handed pitcher Bryce Conley was drafted by the Oakland A’s. Conley, a member of the 2016 Danbury Westerners appeared in three games, posting a 0-1 record.
In round 25, the Detroit Tigers selected right handed pitcher Dylan Stock, another member of the 2016 Westerners’ staff. Stock appeared in eight games, six of them starts, and went 1-3. Stock also started one game in the playoffs.
In the 37th round, Corey Merrill, a right-handed pitcher from the 2014 Westerners team, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Merrill appeared in one game for the Westerners, striking out five batters in his three innings, before succumbing to injury. He is the 10th member of the 2014 Danbury Westerners team to be drafted, and the 14th member of the 2014 team to be signed by a Major League franchise.
The Danbury Westerners congratulate all our former players selected today, and wish them continued success as they embark on their professional baseball career.