A pair of outgoing RedHawks, catcher Adam Weisenburger and left-handed pitcher Tyler Melling, were selected in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, becoming the 68th and 69th players ever drafted in program history. Weisenburger was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 34th round (#1031 overall), while Melling went to the St. Louis Cardinals five rounds later (#1190 overall). This marks the 12th consecutive year that a RedHawk has been taken in the draft, and at least two have been taken each year during that streak.
Weisenburger had a great senior season for the 'Hawks, batting .298 (53-for-178) while clubbing seven homers, tied for second-most on the team. Playing in 54 games, he drove in 26 RBIs and scored 39 runs, also good for second-most on the team. The two-time team captain was solid behind the plate too. As the RedHawks' primary catcher, he had a fielding percentage of .981 and threw out 32% of baserunners (12 of 38) this year. His career numbers include a .297 average (144-for-485), 16 home runs, 104 runs and 92 RBIs. He was the sixth of eight catchers that the Brewers drafted, meaning he will have some competition as he begins his climb up the minor league ladder. Of the other seven, four are coming directly out of high school and only one is older than Weisenburger.
Melling's senior season was the best of his Miami career, as he recorded career-highs in just about every statistical category. As the team's Saturday pitcher he led the 'Hawks in wins with a record of 8-2, posting a 3.51 ERA in his 15 starts. He was one of only two Miami pitchers to throw a complete game this year, with his coming in the 'Hawks 12-2 win over Western Michigan in the second round of the MAC Tournament. He held opposing batters to a .249 batting average while striking out a team-high 72 and walking only 14 in 89 2/3 innings of work. His career featured a 19-15 record with 201 strikeouts in 287 innings of work (fifth-highest career total in program history) and a 5.17 ERA. He is one of nine southpaws the Cardinals selected this year, as precisely half of their 50 selections were pitchers.
This year 17 players from MAC schools were drafted by major league ballclubs. Kent State's Andrew Chafin was the first to go when the Arizona Diamondbacks took him in the first compensatory round at #43 overall. The Golden Flashes (who won the MAC regular season and tournament titles this year) led all MAC programs with five players taken in the draft. Central Michigan had three, while Miami, Akron, Bowling Green and Western Michigan each saw two of their players taken. Ball State added one of its own as well.
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