Aug. 14, 2015
10 draft picks off to impressive starts - MLB.com article
RENO, Nev. - In a recent article on MLB.com, former Nevada baseball standout Austin Byler was listed as one of 10 draft picks off to an impressive start in the minors. Byler is batting .342 with the Missoula Osprey after being drafted in the 11th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2015 MLB Draft.
"A senior first baseman out of Nevada, Byler was drafted because of his power, and he hasn't disappointed," wrote Jonathan Mayo, the author of the article on MLB.com. "He's hit nine homers over his first 40 games and his 1.192 OPS leads all draftees. With a .341/.475/.717 line, Byler might need a test stiffer than the Pioneer League can offer."
A native of Peoria, Ariz., Byler posted a .320 lifetime batting average at Nevada and ranked in the top 10 in the Wolf Pack record book in numerous offensive categories. After winning Nevada's Doc Martie Award and earning third team All-American honors, Byler was selected with the 316th pick overall by the Diamondbacks.
Byler was assigned to the Osprey of the Pioneer League, a conference in Minor League Baseball's rookie league. Byler was been named to the Pioneer League All-Star team and is batting .342 with 43 runs, 38 RBI, 11 home runs and a .468 on base percentage in 42 games played.
The Osprey are currently 30-20 on the season and are in first place in the Pioneer League North standings.
