Four more Deacons drafted by MLB teams

Four more Wake Forest baseball players were drafted by MLB teams on Monday afternoon, along with one more high school commit.

Here were Wake’s draft picks on Monday: Outfielder Cameron Nelson was drafted by the Rockies in the fifth round (138th overall); pitcher Joe Ariola in the seventh round by the Diamondbacks (213th); pitcher Logan Lunceford in the 12th round by the Dodgers (375th); and infielder Jack Winnay in the 13th round by the Red Sox.

The high school commit was drafted before them. Gustavo Melendez, a shortstop from Puerto Rico, was taken with the eighth pick of the fourth round — which is when the draft resumed after the first 105 picks were made Sunday night. The slot value for that pick is $674,300 and Melendez is expected to sign with the Pirates.

It brings the total to six Wake Forest players drafted, with Marek Houston and Ethan Conrad taken in the first round.

Three commits were drafted — Josh Hammond and Will Hynes on Sunday night, and then Melendez early Monday.

Nelson slashed .318/.489/.485 this season in 27 games. He’s a draft-eligible sophomore who also spent some time as a pitcher for the Deacons. Based on coach Tom Walter’s quote about him, signing with the Rockies is a foregone conclusion.

“I have no doubt Cam would have been an All-Conference player for us next year and we hate to lose him but Colorado gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse,” Walter said through a news release. “He is a plus defender with a plus arm and a plus run tool. If the bat continues to develop, he will be a fast mover through the Rockies organization.”

Ariola has mostly pitched out of Wake’s bullpen for the past three seasons. He had 40 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings this season.

Lunceford began the season as Wake’s Friday night starter and had some dominant starts in the first part of the season. He had two 13-strikeout games, against St. John’s and Notre Dame. Lunceford also had strong starts against Miami and Florida State, two teams that eventually reached super regionals of the NCAA tournament.

Winnay tied for the team lead with 15 home runs this past season. He started for the past two seasons at several positions, playing the corner infield positions this season. Winnay was announced as a third baseman.