2015 MLB Draft Central
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - On the second day of the 2015 MLB Draft, senior first baseman David Kerian was selected in the ninth round by the Washington Nationals (No. 284 overall). Kerian was drafted by the Nationals for the second time in his career, as he also was selected by Washington out of high school in the 42nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
Illinois had three players drafted in the first nine rounds for the first time in program history. Kerian joins juniors Tyler Jay (No. 6 overall - Minnesota Twins) and Kevin Duchene (No. 158 overall - Oakland Athletics) as 2015 draft picks.
The Louisville Slugger second-team All-American and 2015 Big Ten Player of the Year led the conference with 16 home runs, a .367 average, .462 on-base percentage, .667 slugging percentage and 138 total bases to go along with a team-high 52 RBI. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection at first base for the second time in his career, also earning the honor as a sophomore in 2013.
For his career, the Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, native hit .316 with 19 home runs and 126 RBI. He finished with a .410 on-base percentage, .480 slugging percentage and .991 fielding percentage. He also scored 104 runs and tallied 42 stolen bases.
