UCLA's Kaprielian, Berg Top List of MLB Draft-Eligible Bruins

The MLB First Year Player Draft begins tonight at 4pm PT and it has the potential to reshape the UCLA Baseball roster for 2016.

Of course, seniors David Berg, Grant Watson and Chris Keck are not eligible to return next season and we certainly hope they are selected as early as possible, but there are twelve eligible underclassmen who are eligible, but none of them figures to be selected as high as Bruin ace James Kaprielian.

Kaprielian was a 40th round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners out of high school, but Kap had decided to attend UCLA. He is expected to be selected somewhere in the 1st round. Baseball America lists Kaprielian as the 19th overall prospect and their latest mock draft predicts that he will be selected 16th by the New York Yankees.

The difference between the MLB First Year Player Draft and the drafts of other sports is that any college player who has been in college for three years is eligible. So, any senior, junior or redshirt sophomore can be selected. Of course, any underclassman can opt to return to school if he wants. That happened last season when David Berg was selected in the 17th round by the Texas Rangers.

So, while any of the twelve eligible UCLA underclassmen have the option to return next season even if they are selected, how many of them and who they are remains to be seen.

How To Watch:

MLB First Year Player Draft First Round
When: Today, 4pm PT
TV: MLB Network
Online:  MLB.com

MLB First Year Player Draft Rounds 2-40
When: Tuesday, 6/9/15, 9:30am PT
Wednesday, 6/10/15, 9am PT
Online: MLB.com

Go Bruins!!!