Alaska
Alaska slugger Coen Niclai selected by Miami Marlins in 15th round of MLB Draft
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Miami Marlins drafted two-time Alaska Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year Coen Niclai in the 15th round of the 2024 MLB Draft Tuesday.
The 18-year old standout catcher from Service High School led the Cougars to a state championship in June in a regular season in which he batted .455 with a 1.379 OPS while gunning out five runners behind the plate as a senior.
As a junior, the 6-foot-2 righty batted .326 with two home runs, 27 RBI and was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the first time.
After graduating from high school, Coen played summer ball for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the MLB Draft League — which has, along with other out-of-state showcases, elevated his draft stock.
Niclai is signed to the University of Oregon and is expected to join the Ducks this fall. While a number of Alaskans have been drafted to the MLB, just 12 have made an appearance in the Big Leagues.
Copyright 2024 KTUU. All rights reserved.