The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft saw the first Anteater selected on day two with
Caden Kendle going to the St. Louis Cardinals in the 10th round.
Kendle was the co-Field Player of the Year in the Big West last season in addition to ABCA/Rawlings All-West Region Second Team and two-time All-Big West over his career. Kendle grabbed the reins midway through his sophomore season and never let go hitting .317 over his career that spanned 130 games and 93 starts. He finishes among the all-time leaders with 14 home runs, 103 runs scored, and a slugging percentage over .500.
The American Boss Hog scored 69 runs in this his junior season to not only lead the Big West but tie a UC Irvine program record held by Taylor Holiday while ranking 22nd in the nation in runs per game. Kendle has reached in 92 of his last 93 games as the Big West's lone Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List member heading into the season. He had eight home runs of his 77 hits, drove in 56, and added 30 HBP, 12 steals, and six outfield assists to his impressive Anteater career.
The Cardinals have now selected Anteaters 12 times overall including four times in the last six drafts and two consecutive joining Nathan Church last year. One current Anteater Major League resides on the Cardinals in 2019 fourth-round selection Andre Pallante. Kendle marks the 34th 'Eater taken in the first 10 rouns of the draft and sixth selected by the Cardinals along with Pallante, Daniel Bibona, Scott Gorgen, Blair Erickson, and Ray Humphries.
The draft continues Tuesday with the final 10 rounds of the 20-round event and can be viewed on MLB.com.
Â
Â
Â
