Published Jul 9, 2023
Deacons duo selected in MLB draft's first round
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Conor O'Neill  •  DeaconsIllustrated
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Rhett Lowder drafted by Reds, Brock Wilken by Brewers

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One more bit of history to be made by Wake Forest's baseball team in 2023.

Pitcher Rhett Lowder was selected seventh in the MLB draft on Sunday night, and third baseman Brock Wilken was drafted 18th by the Brewers, marking the first time Wake Forest has had two first-round picks in the same draft.

Lowder and Wilken were both juniors who played starring roles in Wake's 54-win season that resulted in the program's first trip to the Men's College World Series since 1955.

Lowder was 15-0 with a 1.87 ERA and a program-record 143 strikeouts this season. He won ACC pitcher of the year and ACC male athlete of the year (across all sports), and is the second-highest-drafted Deacon in program history, behind Kyle Sleeth (No. 3 pick in 2003).

Wilken is the ACC's all-time home run leader, with 71 in the last three seasons. His 31 homers set a single-season program record, as did his runs (90) and walks (69) last season.