O’Ferrall, Anderson, Saucke selected in MLB Draft

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Baltimore Orioles selected Virginia’s Griff O’Ferrall (32nd overall) and Ethan Anderson (61st overall) on Day 1 of the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday, while Casey Saucke was selected in the fourth round (107th overall) by the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

It marks the second time that multiple Cavaliers were selected in the first two rounds, and third time in four seasons that UVA had three players taken in the first five rounds of the draft.

In the Brian O’Connor era (2004-present), three or more players have been taken in the first five rounds a total of 10 times. Saucke is the 101st MLB Draft selection from UVA since 2004.

O’Ferrall was the program’s first winner of the Brooks Wallace Award, annually bestowed on the top shortstop in the country and the recipient of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He earned First Team All-ACC honors for the second-straight season and was a Second Team All-American according to the American Baseball Association.

As a junior in 2024, O’Ferrall batted .324 (92 for 284) with 64 runs scored, a career-high five home runs, 20 doubles, a triple and a career-best 52 RBI.

O’Ferrall’s 92 hits were the fourth-most of any hitter in the ACC, and he joined Ryan Zimmerman as the only player in program history to put together multiple 90-hit seasons. He compiled the most career hits (270) and runs scored (196) of any three-year player in UVA Baseball history.

With the 32nd pick in the 2024 Draft, the @Orioles select @UVABaseball shortstop Griff O’Ferrall, No. 38 on the Top 250 Draft Prospects list.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/eLMJAXDe7Z pic.twitter.com/lPdRb6v4LG

— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) July 15, 2024

Anderson was a First Team All-ACC selection as a junior in 2024 and was one of 16 semifinalists for the Buster Posey Award, annually given to the nation’s top catcher. Anderson started all 63 games, batted .331 (82 for 248) with 67 runs scored, 20 doubles, eight homers and 40 RBI on UVA’s College World Series team. He reached base safely in his final 35 games of the year.

Anderson ranks in the top-10 in program history in doubles (3rd – 58), career homers (28 – T-7th), career runs scored (9th – 173) and career total bases (10th – 373). As a sophomore in 2023 he broke UVA’s single-season record with 26 doubles.

With the 61st pick in the 2024 Draft, the @Orioles select @UVABaseball catcher Ethan Anderson, No. 78 on the Top 250 Draft Prospects list.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/eLMJAXDe7Z pic.twitter.com/Fdn34Rkz6g

— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) July 15, 2024

Saucke is coming off his best season as a Cavalier, posting career highs in hits (88), doubles (18), home runs (14), RBI (65) and total bases (145) in 2024. He was recognized as a Third Team All-American by Perfect Game and garnered Second Team All-ACC honors.

Enrolled at UVA’s Mcintire School of Commerce, he was a three-time ACC Academic honor roll member and was twice named to the ACC All-Academic Team.

Saucke compiled 159 RBI and 50 doubles over his three-year Cavalier career, both tied for the eighth-most in UVA history. He was an everyday player since stepping foot on grounds and started all but one game in right field the past two seasons.

With their 4th-round pick (No. 107 overall), the @WhiteSox select @UVABaseball outfielder Casey Saucke, No. 127 on the Top 250 Draft Prospects list.

Watch LIVE: https://t.co/tzt8Hes2Rj pic.twitter.com/BxS3W8LP49

— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) July 15, 2024

The MLB Draft concludes on Tuesday at 2 p.m. with rounds 11-20. The remaining portion of the draft will be broadcast on MLB.com.

2024 UVA MLB DRAFT PICKS
Griff O’Ferrall (Baltimore Orioles) – Round 1 (32nd Overall)
Ethan Anderson (Baltimore Orioles) – Round 2 (61st Overall)
Casey Saucke (Chicago White Sox) – Round 4 (107th Overall)