Indiana
Indiana outfielder makes program history with high MLB Draft selection | Sporting News
The Indiana Hoosiers are officially on the board in the 2025 MLB Draft — and it’s one of the biggest stars in program history who heard his name called.
Outfielder Devin Taylor was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the No. 48 overall pick in the second round late Sunday night. He became the highest-drafted outfielder in program history and the top selection of the Jeff Mercer era, which began in 2019.
Over the past few months, Taylor had shown up across a wide range of mock drafts. Some projected him as a potential mid-to-late first-rounder, but he slipped a bit on draft night before finally landing with the A’s at 48.
His college career was nothing short of impressive.
Taylor was a unanimous All-American in 2025 and picked up eight total All-American honors during his three seasons in Bloomington. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2023 — one of just four in program history — and helped lead Indiana to 108 wins, three Big Ten Tournament appearances, and two NCAA Tournament berths.
But Taylor didn’t just produce — he stood out.
Taylor put together one of the best offensive seasons in the country in 2025, hitting .374 with 18 home runs and nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts. That kind of plate discipline is tough to teach — and it stood out to scouts all spring. With quick hands, raw power, and a mature approach in the box, he became one of the more talked-about hitters in this year’s draft class.
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His selection gives Indiana another strong presence in the early rounds and adds to the growing list of players who’ve gone pro under head coach Jeff Mercer. Taylor was one of the most reliable bats in college baseball over the last few seasons and kept improving each year.
Scouts are drawn to his clean left-handed swing and ability to stay within himself at the plate. He’s shown he can hit for both average and power, and he doesn’t chase much — all signs that point to a player who could carve out a long-term role as an everyday outfielder.
For the A’s, he fills a real need. Only two outfielders currently rank among their top 10 prospects, so bringing in a polished college bat like Taylor adds immediate depth to the system and fits the timeline of a team still working through its rebuild.
For Oakland, it’s another advanced college bat with upside. And for Indiana, Taylor’s rise is another example of a program continuing to develop high-level talent and stay nationally relevant.
On this episode of “Week in Review,” we cover the Indiana gambling case, the Bears’ 2026 schedule release and the Bulls landing the No. 4 draft pick. We also look at Jim’s Original moving after 85 years and Chicago Fire FC’s new McDonald’s Park stadium name. Plus, Cole Kmet joins Cop on a Rooftop, a White Sox phenom goes one on one and more top stories from around Chicago.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — More than 50 Indiana law enforcement agencies are taking to the roof to help local athletes.
Police and safety officers will be stationed around various Dunkin’ Donuts, taking up donations for the Special Olympics. People who monetarily donate will receive a coupon for a free donut. Those who donate $10 or more will receive a coupon for a free medium hot coffee.
“Supporting the Special Olympics isn’t just an event for us — it’s a commitment to people who inspire us every day,” Sergeant Wes Rowlader said. “These athletes show what determination, courage, and community truly look like. Every dollar we raise helps transform that spirit into training, competition, and lifelong confidence.”
More than 20,000 Hoosier athletes train and compete for free within the Special Olympics. To date, Cop on a Rooftop has raised more than $125,000 for Special Olympics Indiana.
The Indiana State Police will be at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 9821 Lima Road in Fort Wayne from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.
A man’s family is demanding answers after he was shot by a security guard inside a hospital emergency room waiting area on Tuesday night in Gary, Indiana.
Methodist Northlake Hospital officials said, around midnight Tuesday night, its security staff responded quickly after a patient took out a gun. The hospital said he’d threatened to shoot himself or others.
The hospital commended the security guard who shot the man for “neutralizing the threat and helping ensure the safety of our patients and employees.”
Family members identified the man who was shot as Otis Brown. They said he is a kind father to a 12-year-old boy.
“Just a great person, a happy-go-lucky, always out there trying to do the right thing,” said his fiancée, Stacey Taylor.
Taylor said she was on a business trip when she got a call that Brown had been shot multiple times.
“Scared, uncertainty; you know, what story is right? You know, what happened?” she said.
After he was shot, Brown was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment.
Taylor said she had no idea why Brown went to Methodist Northlake Hospital in the first place. His family said he was trying to leave the hospital when the shooting happened, claiming that the hospital gave him his gun back after he was cleared to leave.
“We just want to get answers, just want to know what happened, particularly when people are defaming his name,” Taylor said.
She and Brown’s family hope the hospital has surveillance video footage that can help provide answers.
Gary police have not provided any details on the shooting. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department said it is investigating the shooting at the request of Gary police, but did not provide any further information.
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