Saint Louis Billikens RHP Matt Eckelman Taken by Pittsburgh Pirates in 21st Round

Matt Eckelman became the sixth Saint Louis Billikens baseball player to be drafted in the past four years.

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Saint Louis University righthanded pitcher Matt Eckelman in the 21st round of Saturday’s MLB Draft (645th overall). Eckelman, a senior from Shawnee, Kansas, is a first-time draftee.

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After becoming a Cape Cod League All-Star in 2014 while accumulating a 0.47 ERA and 0.63 WHIP for the Falmouth Commodores, Eckelman was expected to be drafted during the early rounds as the 2015 season began. He fought an injury for most of the season and struggled when healthy, though, so he ended up not being drafted at all after his junior year. Eckelman rebounded this year, though, becoming the ace of the Billikens’ starting staff and registering a 9-4 record, 3.12 ERA, 81 strikeouts, and 29 walks.

Eckelman, a 6-foot-4, 240-pounder with an intimidating fastball, was a reliever in the first two seasons of his college career (he’s second in school history with 13 saves), and he may project best there as a pro.

With Eckelman’s selection, SLU has now had players selected in four straight drafts, and they’ve had six players selected over those four years. Eckelman follows catcherJake Henson(Los Angeles Dodgers, 2015), catcher/outfielderColton Frabasilio(Kansas City Royals, 2015), righthanded pitcherJames Norwood(Chicago Cubs, 2014), shortstopAlec Sole(Tampa Bay Rays, 2014), and catcherGrant Nelson(Arizona Diamondbacks, 2013).

Next: Billikens Add Michigan State Transfer Javon Bess

In a testament to coach Darin Hendrickson and his staff’s ability to recruit and develop players, that’s now the longest streak of years where a player’s been drafted in program history. SLU has twice previously had players selected in three straight drafts, from 1968-70 and 2007-09.

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