DURHAM, N.C. – With the first pick in the 18th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, the Detroit Tigers selected Duke right handed pitcher Ethan DeCaster. DeCaster, selected 525th overall, becomes the fifth Blue Devil selected in this year’s draft, marking the program’s most picks since five in 2015. The record for Duke picks in a single draft year is seven in 2009.
DeCaster joins Griffin Conine (Toronto Blue Jays, second round, 52nd pick), Jimmy Herron (Chicago Cubs, third round, 98th pick), Chris Proctor (Detroit Tigers, 13th round, 375th pick) and Zack Kone (Pittsburgh Pirates (13th round, 384th pick) as Blue Devils to be drafted in 2018.