Sam Thoele, Clayton Brandt Taken in MLB Player Draft

Two area natives have been selected in Major League Baseball's 2015 player draft.

Sam Thoele, who played at Dieterich High School, was chosen by the Colorado Rockies in the 14th round.

Clayton Brandt, who played at Stewardson-Strasburg High School was chosen by the Washington Nationals in the 19th round.

Both were playing college baseball; Thoele at Arkansas-Little Rock, Brandt at Mid-America Nazarene University.

Clayton Brandt is the son of Franklin and Marla Brandt. This conversation with Clayton was found on the Mid America Nazarene website:

MNU senior shortstop Clayton Brandt completed his incredible final season by getting selected in the 19th round by the Washington Nationals in the MLB draft on Wednesday. In 57 games this Spring, the Pioneer leadoff man hit .417 with a nation-best 81 runs, MNU-record 86 hits, 19 doubles, 6 triples, 7 homers, 43 RBIs, a .670 slugging percentage, a .492 on base percentage, a 1.162 OPS, and an MNU-record 41 steals. He is currently on the roster for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League and answered some questions about the draft.

How did you find out?
I saw my name pop up on the draft board. It was so surreal. I had to do a double take to make sure. It was a type of excitement that I can't explain. I just prayed to the Lord and thanked Him for this and said "Your plan is what I want." and just sat at my locker and smiled.

Who did you tell first?
I immediately told my parents and grandparents.

What was your experience leading up to the draft?
I had been in contact with Tampa Bay Rays the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals. I was thinking my best chance was with Kansas City due to a pre-draft workout on Kauffman Stadium. From what I'd been told, I figured I'd go between rounds 25 to 40. The 19th round was a sure shock and true blessing.

When did the draft become a realistic goal?
The draft was always my goal and my hope but it became realistic during the Spring of my senior year. With the way the season was going, I started to realize it was a serious possibility. At the end of the season I knew it was in God's hands for I had done everything I could in my control with hard work and preparation.

What is your ultimate goal?
My ultimate goal is to play in the MLB with the Washington Nationals, and this is one major step closer to a childhood dream.

What's next?
The Nationals will contact me soon with my assignment. Some options include extended spring training, rookie ball, or Single A.

As for Sam Thoele, son of Roger and Kelly Thoele, information from the Arkansas-Little Rock website indicates he is UALR’s highest draft pick since Travis Trammell was picked in the 13th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2004. 

"What an awesome day for Sam Thoele and his family, as well as the UALR baseball program," head coach Chris Curry said. "Him being picked in the MLB Draft is a testament to how hard he has worked and gotten better over the last year. I’m really proud for him to get this opportunity, and I think it says a lot about his work ethic. We wish Sam the best if he decides to sign.”

The Montrose native came to UALR from Parkland College where he played two seasons. In his sophomore year at Parkland, Thoele was named All-Conference Second Team.

In his first year as a Trojan in 2014, Thoele made 15 appearances on the mound with eight starts en route to compiling a 1-3 record and a 3.70 ERA. The right-hander racked up 41 strikeouts in 48.2 innings, allowing only 37 hits and no runs as a reliever.

In 2015, Thoele posted 59 strikeouts in 63 innings on the mound with a 5.57 ERA, finishing the season at 2-6. Thoele earned his first win of the season against SIU-Edwardsville after striking out five and allowing only two hits and three walks in five innings. Thoele’s longest outing and second win of the season came in the series finale at Georgia State as he pitched eight strong innings and allowed only two runs. Thoele posted a career-high 10 strikeouts in the final game of the series against Georgia Southern.