Juniors Josh Ekness and Zach Arnold were both selected in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft.
Josh Ekness | Miami Marlins – 12th Round, 352 Pick
Josh Ekness was the first Houston baseball player taken in the 2023 MLB draft. The right-handed pitcher was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 12th round with the 352 pick. The Woodlands, Texas, native led the team in innings pitched with 67.0 as well as strikeouts at 73. With a fastball that sits in the high 90's, Ekness made 21 appearances for the Cougars including 12 starts and combined for a one-hit shutout during his 2023 campaign.
Zach Arnold | Philadelphia Phillies – 14th Round, 433 Pick
A two-time Gold Glove finalist, Zach Arnold was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 14th round with the 433 selection. An All-Conference First Team honoree, Arnold was a constant in the Houston defense making only one error in 166 chances during the 2022 season and finished his career with a .981 fielding percentage. From Temecula, Calif., Arnold led the team in on-base percentage, runs and home runs in 2023 and was second in batting average, slugging percentage, hits and RBI.
Houston now sits at 160 MLB Draft picks all-time with head coach Todd Whitting having mentored over 110 MLB draftees in his career and 45 at Houston. It was the third consecutive season, where the baseball team had a player be drafted and the second-straight season multiple Cougars have heard their name called in the draft.
Among members of the Big 12 Conference, Houston was one of six teams to have multiple selections and the only new member school to have multiple players drafted.