Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest 2026 MLB Draft Primer
7/10/2026 3:22:00 PM | Baseball
A nation-leading seven Demon Deacons have been selected in the first round of the last three MLB Drafts.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Several Wake Forest baseball student-athletes are set to take the next step in their careers as the 2026 MLB Draft begins on Saturday, July 11, and continues through Sunday, July 12, in Philadelphia.
Wake Forest baseball social media platforms will be providing live updates throughout both days of the event. Additionally, recaps will be posted on GoDeacs.com at the conclusion of each day.
HOW TO WATCH/STREAM
ELIGIBLE DEMON DEACONS WITH NAME IN THE DRAFT
WALTER'S GUYS
Walter has helped 64 players get drafted or sign pro contracts over the last 12 years, including 14 Deacs drafted among the top 50 picks and nine first rounders since 2020 in Marek Houston (2025), Ethan Conrad (2025), Chase Burns (2024), Nick Kurtz (2024), Seaver King (2024), Rhett Lowder (2023), Brock Wilken (2023), Ryan Cusick (2021) and Jared Shuster (2020).
Highlighted by multiple first-round picks for the third-straight year for the first time in MLB Draft history, six members of Wake Forest baseball were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft.
In the first round, the Demon Deacons went back-to-back with the Minnesota Twins selecting shortstop Marek Houston with the 16th overall pick and the Chicago Cubs selecting outfielder Ethan Conrad with the 17th overall pick.
With three Top-10 picks for the first time in school history and just the second time in the history of the MLB Draft, six members of Wake Forest baseball were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.
The Deacs had a program record 10 players selected in 2023 in Lowder (Reds), Wilken (Brewers), Sean Sullivan (Colorado Rockies), Seth Keener (White Sox), Teddy McGraw (Mariners), Bennett Lee (Tigers), Camden Minacci (Angels), Tommy Hawke (Guardians), Justin Johnson (Royals) and Pierce Bennett (Phillies).
Current #ProDeacs include All-Star Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder with the Cincinnati Reds, All-Star Nick Kurtz with the Athletics and Gavin Sheets with the San Diego Padres and numerous former Demon Deacons scattered throughout Minor League Baseball.
FIRST ROUND DEACS
WAKE FOREST ATTENDEES DRAFTED BY EACH TEAM
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Wake Forest baseball social media platforms will be providing live updates throughout both days of the event. Additionally, recaps will be posted on GoDeacs.com at the conclusion of each day.
HOW TO WATCH/STREAM
| Date | Rounds | Network | Time |
| Saturday, July 11 | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Compensation Picks and Competitive Balance Picks | MLB Network & NBC | 1 p.m. |
| Sunday, July 12 | 5th-20th | MLB.com & MLB App | 11:30 a.m. |
ELIGIBLE DEMON DEACONS WITH NAME IN THE DRAFT
- Dalton Wentz | INF | Madison Heights, Va.
- Kade Lewis | INF | Sartell, Minn.
- Austin Hawke | INF | Pfafftown, N.C.
- Matthew Dallas | LHP | Memphis, Tenn.
- Javar Williams | OF | Dartmouth, Mass.
- Nate Whysong | RHP | Pavia, Pa.
- Zach Johnston | LHP | North Yarmouth, Maine
- Luke Schmolke | RHP | Mooresville, N.C.
- Duncan Marsten | RHP | Lake Balboa, Calif.
- Jimmy Keenan | C | White Plains, N.Y.
WALTER'S GUYS
Walter has helped 64 players get drafted or sign pro contracts over the last 12 years, including 14 Deacs drafted among the top 50 picks and nine first rounders since 2020 in Marek Houston (2025), Ethan Conrad (2025), Chase Burns (2024), Nick Kurtz (2024), Seaver King (2024), Rhett Lowder (2023), Brock Wilken (2023), Ryan Cusick (2021) and Jared Shuster (2020).
Highlighted by multiple first-round picks for the third-straight year for the first time in MLB Draft history, six members of Wake Forest baseball were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft.
In the first round, the Demon Deacons went back-to-back with the Minnesota Twins selecting shortstop Marek Houston with the 16th overall pick and the Chicago Cubs selecting outfielder Ethan Conrad with the 17th overall pick.
With three Top-10 picks for the first time in school history and just the second time in the history of the MLB Draft, six members of Wake Forest baseball were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.
The Deacs had a program record 10 players selected in 2023 in Lowder (Reds), Wilken (Brewers), Sean Sullivan (Colorado Rockies), Seth Keener (White Sox), Teddy McGraw (Mariners), Bennett Lee (Tigers), Camden Minacci (Angels), Tommy Hawke (Guardians), Justin Johnson (Royals) and Pierce Bennett (Phillies).
Current #ProDeacs include All-Star Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder with the Cincinnati Reds, All-Star Nick Kurtz with the Athletics and Gavin Sheets with the San Diego Padres and numerous former Demon Deacons scattered throughout Minor League Baseball.
FIRST ROUND DEACS
| Name (Year) | Pick | Team |
| Marek Houston (2025) | 16 | Minnesota Twins |
| Ethan Conrad (2025) | 17 | Chicago Cubs |
| Chase Burns (2024) | 2 | Cincinnati Reds |
| Nick Kurtz (2024) | 4 | Oakland Athletics |
| Seaver King (2024) | 10 | Washington Nationals |
| Rhett Lowder (2023) | 7 | Cincinnati Reds |
| Brock Wilken (2023) | 18 | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Ryan Cusick (2021) | 24 | Atlanta Braves |
| Jared Shuster (2020) | 25 | Atlanta Braves |
| Will Craig (2016) | 22 | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Allan Dykstra (2008) | 23 | San Diego Padres |
| Matt Antonelli (2006) | 17 | San Diego Padres |
| Kyle Sleeth (2003) | 3 | Detroit Tigers |
| Mike MacDougal (1999) | 25 | Kansas City Royals |
| Bret Wagner (1994) | 19 | St. Louis Cardinals |
WAKE FOREST ATTENDEES DRAFTED BY EACH TEAM
| Team | # | Most Recent | Highest Overall Pick |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 11 | 2024 | 22 (2016) |
| New York Yankees | 10 | 2008 | 68 (2000) |
| Atlanta Braves | 9 | 2021 | 24 (2021) |
| Baltimore Orioles | 8 | 2019 | 111 (1996) |
| Detroit Tigers | 8 | 2024 | 3 (2003) |
| Washington Nationals | 8 | 2024 | 10 (2024) |
| Boston Red Sox | 7 | 2025 | 219 (1993) |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 7 | 2025 | 66 (2003) |
| Chicago White Sox | 7 | 2023 | 49 (2017) |
| Cleveland Guardians | 7 | 2023 | 188 (2023) |
| Cincinnati Reds | 7 | 2024 | 2 (2024) |
| Colorado Rockies | 6 | 2025 | 46 (2023) |
| Chicago Cubs | 6 | 2025 | 17th (2025) |
| Oakland Athletics | 6 | 2024 | 4 (2024) |
| Los Angeles Angels | 6 | 2024 | 51 (1983) |
| Seattle Mariners | 6 | 2023 | 36 (1986) |
| San Francisco Giants | 6 | 2019 | 115 (2012) |
| Minnesota Twins | 5 | 2025 | 16 (2025) |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 5 | 2022 | 55 (2002) |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 5 | 2022 | 55 (2002) |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 5 | 2018 | 19 (1994) |
| San Diego Padres | 5 | 2017 | 17 (2006) |
| Houston Astros | 5 | 2012 | 399 (2012) |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 4 | 2025 | 101 (2021) |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 4 | 2023 | 18 (2023) |
| Kansas City Royals | 4 | 2023 | 25 (1999) |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 4 | 2023 | 245 (1970) |
| New York Mets | 4 | 2017 | 99 (2007) |
| Miami Marlins | 2 | 2002 | 1163 (2002) |
| Texas Rangers | 1 | 2003 | 166 (2003) |
| Total | 167 | 2025 | 2 (2024) |
Follow The Deacs:
GoDeacs.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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