NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Niagara's Eric Rataczak and Ryan Minckler were selected by the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals, respectively, during day three of the MLB Draft while Tommy Takayoshi signed a free agent deal with the Oakland A's.
 
The 2024 MLB Draft marked the first-time multiple Purple Eagles have been selected in the draft since 2017 when Daniel Procopio and Tanner Kirwer were selected in the 10th and 20th round, respectively.
 
Rataczak, the 2024 MAAC Player of the Year, was selected in the 16th round by the Marlins, becoming the first Purple Eagle selected in the MLB Draft since Matt Brash was taken in the fourth round by the San Diego Padres in 2019. The Circle Pines, Minn., native had a stellar 2024 season, leading the MAAC in batting average, OPS, RBI, and on-base percentage.
 
Minckler was taken in the 19th round by Washington. Minckler posted a 5-2 record in 2024 with a 4.21 ERA over 51.1 innings. He struck out 53 batters while allowing the opposition to bat .253 against him.
 
Following the conclusion of the draft, Takayoshi inked a free agent deal with the Athletics. Takayoshi spent the majority of 2024 serving as Niagara's primary backup catcher, playing in 27 games, with 15 starts behind the plate. He notched 19 hits with three home runs and 13 RBI.
 
Niagara baseball has had a total of 18 players selected in the MLB draft dating back to 1969, including 12 in the last 20 years.
 
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