NORMAL, Ill. – A trio of Illinois State baseball's best were selected in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft, as Matt Walker (Detroit Tigers), Joe Aeilts (Colorado Rockies) and Jeff Lindgren (Miami Marlins) each heard their names called on the third day and final day of the 2019 draft on Wednesday.
They join teammates John Rave (5th round – Kansas City Royals) and Brent Headrick (9th round – Minnesota Twins) as Redbird draftees in 2019. The five total selections are the most for ISU since 2014, when six Redbirds had their names called during the draft including major leaguers Paul DeJong and Brock Stewart.
Walker was selected by the Tigers in the 13th round (382 overall). The junior left-handed starter from Morris, Illinois, finished the season with a 5-8 record and a 4.75 ERA in 16 starts on the mound for the Redbirds in 2019. In 77.2 innings pitched, he struck out 79 batters while walking just 39. He saved one of his best performances of the season for his last one, as he threw a complete game in ISU's regional victory over Louisville last Saturday.
"Matt obviously has everything that MLB scouts look for," ISU head coach Steve Holm said. "He showed those tools off with probably the biggest win in Redbird Division I history against Louisville. We are happy for Matt and I know he's ready for the challenge."
Aeilts, the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Joe Carter Player of the Year, heard his name called by the Rockies in the 14th round (429 overall). In conference play this season, Aeilts slashed .349/.404/.570 with seven doubles, four home runs, 19 RBI, and 18 runs scored. The Champaign, Illinois, native placed in the top-five throughout the conference in hits (30), RBI, doubles, and total bases (49). He ended his junior season with a slash line of .346/.408/.559 with a league leading 88 hits and 49 RBI.
"Joe could not have had a better year than he did," Holm stated. "The Rockies got a steal when they drafted Joe. He has a chance to wear the uniform for many years to come."
Lindgren, a senior right-hander from Champaign, Illinois, was drafted in Round 24 by the Marlins (711 overall). In 19 appearances in 2019, he posted a 5-5 record with a 5.96 ERA with 14 starts on the mound. His 83 innings pitched were second most on the team to Headrick, and he struck out 69 batters while walking just 25. His five stellar innings of relief in the regular-season finale against Evansville helped the Redbirds clinch a share of the MVC regular-season title.
"Jeff was a major reason why we were able to have so much success this year," Holm said. "He anchored us on Saturday's and helped stabilize our pen when we needed him to do that. I couldn't be happier for him to get the opportunity to chase his dream."
For continued updates on Illinois State Baseball players in the pros throughout the summer, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (@isuredbirdbaseball).
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