Chicago, Ill. – July 1, 2016 – Year in and year out, the Midwest Collegiate League continues to accomplish its goal of sending players to the professional ranks.

Last month, seven MCL players were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The league has now had 26 players picked in the last three seasons and at least 32 in its seven-year history.

The 2016 MCL Draft Class was headlined by former Southland Viking Corey Ray, who was taken No. 5 overall by the Milwaukee Brewers. Ray became the first MCL player to be selected in the first round.

Ray, who has signed with the Brewers and reported to Class-A Brevard County, hit .310 at Louisville this spring with 15 home runs, 60 RBIs and 44 stolen bases. He was one of four finalists for USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the nation’s top college player.

Ray hit .328 with the Southland Vikings in 2013, at the time getting his first taste of college-level baseball after graduating from Simeon.

The next MCL player picked was former DuPage County Hound Shane Carrier, who was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round. Carrier was in the MCL just a year ago, when he hit .316 and drove in 19 in 37 games with the 2015 league-champion Hounds.

Now, the 20-year-old Carrier out of Fullerton College has reported to the Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian Rookie League.

Former Southland Vikings pitcher Brandon White was picked by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round out of Davenport. White worked 38 1/3 innings, went 4-1 and posted a 2.81 ERA while issuing just nine walks and striking out 28 in six starts with the 2014 league-champion Vikings.

Strangely enough, White was one of two right-handed pitchers named Brandon White selected by the Braves in this year’s MLB Draft. In the 12th round, the Braves took RHP Brandon White from Lander University, then they picked the former Viking Brandon White in the 13th round out of Davenport.

White struck out 64 in 61 innings at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich. this spring while issuing only 12 walks as a fifth-year senior. He became the first player from Davenport ever selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.

White has signed and reported to the Danville Braves of the Appalachian Rookie League, where he has worked two scoreless innings so far without allowing an earned run.

Former DuPage County Hounds Matt Frawley was picked in the 17th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Frawley pitched eight games (five starts) for DuPage County in 2014, compiling 39 1/3 innings and boasting a 2.05 ERA. He struck out 36 and issued just 10 walks.

Frawley became Purdue’s highest draft pick since 2012. He posted a 2.74 ERA this spring for the Boilermakers, which ranks seventh in program history among pitchers with at least 60 innings.

The ex-Boilermaker has signed and embarked on his professional career with the West Virginia Black Bears of the Class-A New York-Penn League. He has made three appearances so far and is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA.

Former DuPage County Hounds hurler Pat Cashman was picked by the White Sox in the 30th round out of Southeastern. He has signed with the White Sox and reported to the Arizona League White Sox, the club’s Rookie Ball affiliate.

Former Northwest Indiana Oilmen outfielder Craig Dedelow was picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 34th round, but has elected to return to Indiana University for his senior season. Enrique Zamora went to the Dodgers in the 37th round out of Calumet College, but did not sign and will likely use his final season of college eligibility. In addition, former Oilmen closer Matt Pobereyko has signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.