Jerry Dipoto’s first draft, in 2016, is usually remembered by Mariners fans as the Kyle Lewis draft. But it also opened another chapter that would become a hallmark during the early years of Dipoto’s tenure: the rise of the college pitcher, and specifically, the search for later-round values in those pitchers from smaller schools. Southern New Hampshire University saw its highest-ever drafted player (Tim Viehoff, 12th round), as did Millersville University in Pennsylvania (Brandon Miller, 6th round); an hour northeast of Millersville, Messiah University celebrated its fourth-ever drafted player and first in more than a decade (Stephen Ridings, 29th round).
40 in 40: Matt Festa Touches a Truck
