Gasper (Yankees) and Patterson (Cubs) taken in MLB Amateur Draft

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Seniors Mickey Gasper (Merrimack, N.H.) and Jack Patterson (Suffield, Conn.) of the Bryant University baseball team both had their names called on Wednesday afternoon on the third day of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

Gasper was taken in the 27th round (817th overall) by the New York Yankees, while Patterson was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 32nd round (968th overall). The duo become the 14th and 15th members of the Black and Gold drafted in the last six years.  

"We are extremely proud of Mickey and Jack for being drafted," head coach Steve Owens said. "They are quality players who have earned this opportunity with a lot of hard work. We wish them the best and will be rooting for them to succeed."

Gasper wrapped up an outstanding career this spring by hitting .340 and setting career-highs in hits (70), doubles (13), home runs (8) and runs scored (59). He also drove in 43, walked 42 times for the second-straight season and finished the year with a .468 OBP. The 2018 season put the finishing touches on a career in which Gasper proved to be one of the most consistent offensive producers in program history. He wraps up his 165-game career with 174 hits, 119 RBI, 127 runs scored, 102 walks and just 51 strikeouts. Gasper's career slash line of .344/.469/.524 will go down as one of the best in program history.

Patterson took a less circuitous route to Wednesday. After going 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA as a true freshman in 2014, Patterson missed most of 2015 and all of 2016 before returning to the diamond in 2016. What has followed is one of the most impressive two-year runs for a left-handed pitcher in program history. Patterson went 4-0 with three saves and a 2.90 ERA as a redshirt junior before cementing himself as the best left-handed power pitcher in program history this spring. He became just the second pitcher in program history to strikeout 100+ batters in a single season and allowed just 75 hits in 82 innings on his way to Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. This spring, he recorded six quality starts, threw Bryant's first nine-inning complete-game shutout since 2014 and struck out 10+ batters on four occasions.

Gasper and Patterson will now join former teammates Kevin McAvoy (Red Sox), Craig Schlitter (Rockies), Kyle Wilcox (Mariners), Robby Rinn (Twins), Matt Albanese (Twins) and James Karinchak (Indians) in minor league baseball. They will learn their assignments later this week.