Six Reivers Selected in MLB Draft

Six former Iowa Western baseball players were selected in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft, marking another milestone for the storied Reiver program.

Leading the way was right-handed pitcher Marcus Phillips, who made program history by becoming the highest Reiver ever drafted. The former Iowa Western pitcher and Tennessee Volunteer was taken 33rd overall by the Boston Red Sox in the Competitive Balance Round A on Day One, surpassing Jon Lieber's 44th overall selection in 1992 by the Kansas City Royals.

Day Two featured a strong run of Reiver alumni. Daniel Wright, who continued his collegiate career at the University of Iowa, was picked in the 10th round by the Chicago White Sox. Brayden Smith, who played at Oklahoma State, followed in the 13th round, going to the Baltimore Orioles. The 14th round featured a pair of Reiver selections: Luke Broderick, who transferred to Nebraska, was taken by the Colorado Rockies, while Josh Wakefield, who played at Grand Canyon University, went to the Houston Astros. Finn Edwards capped the group, being drafted in the 18th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The six draft picks match the total from 2018 for the second-most picks in a single draft behind 2014, where MLB ball clubs called eight Reivers.