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For the fourth time in Virginia baseball history (2008, 2011, 2014, and now 2017), the Hoos have had at least five players drafted in the first 10 rounds of the MLB Draft as 2B Ernie Clement and RHP Alec Bettinger went to the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers, respectively.
Congrats to Ernie Clement, taken in 4th round of @MLBDraft by @Indians! He's 4th #UVABase player to be picked this year! #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/BelCYGQB7s
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) June 13, 2017
#UVABase has its 5th selection in 2017 @MLBDraft as Alec Bettinger goes to @Brewers! Congrats Bett! pic.twitter.com/fKfFLUALo1
— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball) June 13, 2017
Clement batted .315 with 34 RBI, two home runs, and 14 stolen bases in 58 games in 2017. Over his three-year career in Charlottesville, Clement established himself as one of the most difficult players to strike out. In 745 career at bats, Ernie struck out only 31 times (4% of his at bats). Clement struck out only seven times in his 254 at bats (3%) in 2018, which was the best in the nation.
Plus, there’s this:
Bettinger was undefeated in 2017, amassing an 8-0 record with a 2.43 ERA. Five of those wins were against ACC opponents, and he only allowed an opponent batting average of .170. He finished his career at Virginia with 22 wins and 219 strikeouts, and was a part of four straight post-season teams.
The MLB Draft continues tomorrow with rounds 11-40.