2013 MLB Draft: St. John's Red Storm baseball has five selected, including freshman Ryan Horstman

St. John's enjoyed another notable Major League Baseball draft this weekend, with five players - Ryan Horstman, James Lomangino, Frank Schwindel, Sean Hagan, and Danny Bethea - drafted by MLB teams. This year, it took a little longer to hear the first St. John's name off the board, but having five players drafted is impressive.

Despite the down season - 23-35 on the year, 10-14 in the Big East, finishing sixth in the Big East, the Johnnies' talent still drew interest.

For comparison - in 2011, St. John's had three players drafted, including Joe Panik. 2012 saw five players picked by MLB teams, including Jeremy Baltz in the second round.

Ryan Horstman LHP, Freshman 6'1"/ 185 - drafted 4th Round/ 117th by the Seattle Mariners

The first Red Storm player off the board is Ryan Horstman, a draft-elibgible freshman. MLB rules state that a player can be drafted out of high school or wait three years in college; Horstman needed to spend another yer to graduate HS, and redshirted last season. While he has three more seasons of baseball, he has reportedly decided to go pro, per the Hampshire Gazette.

"It’s not a tough call. I’m signing," Horstman said. "They’re going to come to my house in a couple days. I’ll sign a contract and they’ll tell me where to ship off and start my career."

Horstman was honored with Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors by Collegiate Baseball. He pitched 65 2/3 innings and recorded a 2.33 ERA, walking 30 and striking out 56 (7.7 strikeouts/ 9 inning ratio). AND according the the Mariners, the St. John's basketball team might have been looking at him as a walk-on at some point.

James Lomangino RHP, Senior 6'0"/ 205 - drafted 14th Round/ 431 by Oakland A's

James Lomangino, the closer-turned-starter, went to Oakland in the fourth round. He racked up 85 strikeouts (8.5 K/9) in 90 1/3 innings despite a 2-6 record; his ERA was 3.79. He started 15 games for the Red Storm.

Frank Schwindel 1B/C, Junior 6'1"/ 205 - drafted 18th round/ 534 by Kansas City Royals

Schwindel, a second-team all-Big East selection who played first base and sometimes catcher, started all 58 games. he struck out 17 times in 235 at-bats, hit for a .349 batting average, and slugged .502 (.871 OPS). He added a team-high 5 home runs. He hit .332 as a sophomore as well.

Schwindel has a decision to make about whether to leave the Johnnies or stay with the young squad, filled with freshman and sophomore talent.

Sean Hagan LHP, Senior 6'6"/ 235 - drafted drafted 31st round/ 933 by the Chicago White Sox

The senior Sean Hagan struggled at times this year, with a 5.16 ERA in 90 2/3 innings for the Red Storm, but had a 3.51 ERA in Big East play. He was also drafted in 2012 in the 29th round by the Minnesota Twins.

Danny Bethea C, Senior 6'1"/ 200 lbs - drafted 34th round/ 1013 by the Boston Red Sox

Senior Danny Bethea hit a home run and knocked in 28 runs while hitting .276 on the season. He also stole 6 bases.

Third baseman Sean O'Hare, who has had a very good hitting career for the Red Storm, was not selected. He hit .341 as a junior, but struggled with a young lineup around him. He hit .233 with 1 home run, 11 stolen bases and 47 hits in 57 games.