Kansas City Royals draft Coleman Picard in 6th round of 2023 MLB Draft

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Bryant University baseball junior Coleman Picard was selected in the sixth round, 169th overall, of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Royals.

Picard becomes the 23rd Bryant baseball player since 2009, and the 26th overall, to be selected in the MLB Draft. He is the 9th Bulldog taken in the top 10 rounds and the 11th to be chosen as a junior. 

A native of Auburn, Mass., Picard developed into one of the region's top pitchers in two years at Bryant. Picard pitched out of the bullpen in 2022 after transferring in from Hartford. He went 1-2 with three saves and a 2.70 ERA in 16 appearances in 2022. This past spring, Picard shifted into the Friday starting role and shined, going 2-2 with 3.43 ERA and 59 strikeouts in just 42.0 innings. He opened the year with 5.0 innings of one-run ball at High Point before turning heads with a 12-strikeout performance at No. 14 Virginia Tech. After missing five starts, he returned to allow just one unearned run over four-straight starts.

Picard appeared in 26 games over two seasons at Bryant. He finished 3-4 with three saves, a 3.15 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 68.2 innings.

Click here for a full list of Bryant players that have been drafted.