Rockies draft Newman outfielder Tyler Bugner in 21st round

The Colorado Rockies finally got to see what Newman outfielder Tyler Bugner could do in person last weekend, bringing the Heartland Conference Player of the Year and two-time Heartland batting champion to Scottsdale, Ariz., for a pre-draft workout.

They liked what they saw enough to pick Bugner, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior from Andale, on Saturday in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball draft.

Bugner was following the draft via live streaming at his parents’ house in Andale, surrounded by family, teammates and Newman coach Zane Ehling. He’s Newman’s first draft pick since 1995, when Philadelphia selected pitcher Brian Dunne in the 33rd round.

“There was a lot of anxiety leading up to (the draft) because I didn’t know quite for sure that it would even happen for me,” Bugner said. “I’m just so thankful for everything. To be around all my friends and family when it happened was special … I owe so much to my mom and dad for all the support they’ve given me.”

Bugner, who only had offers from Hutchinson Community College and Newman when he graduated from high school three years ago, said he’s “99 percent sure” he’s going to sign with the Rockies and leave school early.

“From what I understand, it sounds like (Bugner) is going to get what he wants as far as his contract, so that makes me pretty sure he’s leaving,” Ehling said. “Nothing’s official yet, but I don’t think he’ll be back.

“Obviously, he’s talented, but he works so incredibly hard and is so humble that you can’t help but be proud of him. Never about himself while he was here, always about his team. This happened to the right guy.”

Bugner hit .439 this season and led the Heartland with 20 stolen bases. He was also named to the Heartland’s Golden Glove team.

“Everything that’s happened, you have to look back and think of the people around you,” Bugner said. “The people around me were what made it work – they had my back whether I failed or succeeded.”

Washburn catcher David Gauntt, the MIAA Player of the Year, was drafted Saturday by the Miami Marlins in the 18th round, the Ichabods’ first draft pick since 2007 and highest pick since Steve Simpson was picked by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round in 1980.

This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Rockies draft Newman outfielder Tyler Bugner in 21st round."