Two Former Rox Players Taken in MLB Draft

(KNSI) – Multiple Rox alumni have been selected in the early rounds of the Major League Baseball draft.

Brice Matthews was taken by his hometown team, the Houston Astros, with the 28th overall pick in the opening round. Matthews was a two-sport star in high school and played in college at the University of Nebraska.

The shortstop was a Rox player in 2022 and provided the team with one of the highlights of the season when he made an incredible play at home plate against Eau Claire, avoiding a tag and scrambling back to the dish to score the winning run in walk-off fashion. You can see it below.

Hey @astros, you guys got a good one!https://t.co/9RfuqQ37uJ

— St. Cloud Rox (@StCloudRox) July 10, 2023

2021 St. Cloud Rox outfielder Andrew Pinckney was selected by the Washington Nationals Monday in the fourth round. The Alabama Crimson Tide star had a breakthrough season at the NCAA level this past spring. Now regarded as a power threat, Pinckney was a late bloomer collegiately.

He first showed promise at Joe Faber Field. Pinckney played in 51 games for the Rox, hitting .292 with 37 RBI and scoring 44 runs. Many nights, Pinckney was the leadoff hitter.

___