Two Ducks were picked on Day 3 of the MLB Draft

EUGENE, ore. A day after four Oregon players were selected on the second day of the 2023 MLB Draft, two more were selected on the final day of the draft. Rikuu Nishida and Isaac Ayo their names will be called on Tuesday.

The six Ducks selected in the draft was the second-most in school history, behind only the 2011 season, when eight Ducks were selected during what was then a 40-round draft (the draft was reduced to 20 rounds prior to the 2021 draft). The six players selected in the 20th round matched the number of players selected in the first 20 rounds of the 2011 draft, the most in program history.

The Chicago White Sox selected Nishida with the 15th pick of the day in round 11, the 329th overall pick. Japan’s Osaka is the seventh-highest drafted modern-day infielder. Josh KasevichSpencer Steer, Sabin CeballosRyon Healy, Brennan Milone and Mitchell Tolman. His selection was just the second time the White Sox have drafted a Ducks player, joining Jakob Goldfarb (2019).

Ayon was the second Duck and sixth overall during the third day of the draft when the Washington Nationals selected him with the first pick of the 20th round (585 overall). The right-hander became the first Duck selected by the Nationals.

2023 Oregon draft picks
Sabin Ceballos Round 3 (Pick 94) Atlanta Braves
Jace Stoffal Round 8 (Pick 237) Minnesota Twins
Colby Shade Round 9 (Pick 263) Miami Marlins
Josh Mollerus Round 10 (Pick 304) Toronto Blue Jays
Rikuu Nishida Round 11 (Pick 329) Chicago White Sox
Isaac Ayo Round 20 (Pick 585) Washington Nationals

Oregon notes

• The six players drafted are tied for the second most in school history (2011 8; 2015 6)
• The six players drafted in the top 20 rounds is tied for the most in school history (2011)
• Oregon had three players drafted for the second straight year, matching the most in the modern era (2011, 2013, 2019, 2022, 2023)
• The Ducks had three pitchers taken in the top 20 rounds of the draft for the sixth time (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023).
• Except for the five-round 2020 draft, Oregon has had a player in every draft since baseball returned in 2009.
• Except for the 2020 draft, Oregon has had a pitcher in every draft since 2009.
• Except for the 2020 draft, Oregon has had a position player in every draft since 2009.
• Except for the 2020 draft, Oregon has had multiple passes in all 12 drafts since 2009.
• Oregon had six of its recruiting classes selected during the draft (RHP Noble Meyer 1st round Marlins; INF Eric Bitonti 3rd round Brewers; RHP Ryan Birchard 5th round Brewers; OF Max Martin 11th round Rangers; C Kehden Hettiger 11th round Phillies; LHP Bresnahan 13 . round guards)

Rikuu NishidaJR, 2B (Chicago White Sox, 11th round, 329th pick)

• Second Duck Picked by White Sox in Modern Era (Jakob Goldfarb 2019)
• Seventh-best player drafted in the modern era of Oregon baseball
• 66. Duck’s choice since 2009
• Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 Conference
• Nashville Area Most Valuable Player
• Nashville Regional All-Tournament Team
• Oregon single-season records for stolen bases (25) and runs scored (67)

Isaac AyoJR, RHP (Washington Nationals, 20th round, 585th pick)

• The first duck produced by the Washington Nationals
• 67. Duck’s choice since 2009
• He missed the entire 2023 season due to injury
• Helped the Ducks to a berth in the 2022 Louisville Regional as a member of the weekend rotation
• Helped Oregon to the postseason for the first time in six years in 2021 as a key member of the bullpen
• Led the team with 22 appearances as a freshman in 2021