Orchard Lake St. Mary's star Brock Porter top player still available in MLB draft

Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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It might have been the surprise of the 2022 MLB draft's first day.

Brock Porter, one of the most talented and decorated baseball players in Michigan high school history, was projected to go as high as No. 9 overall, according to some mock drafts.

Instead, he waited. And waited. And waited.

Porter, who in June became just the second player in state history to earn Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year honors, did not hear his name called on day one of the MLB draft.

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The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Milford native who starred for Orchard Lake St. Mary's was listed as Baseball America's top prospect available beginning at the 14th pick overall.

"Brock Porter is such a deserving winner of the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year Award,” said Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB Pipeline when discussing Porter in June. “He's the best high school pitcher in the country, potentially the first pitcher to be selected in the 2022 draft, and a driving force on one of the best high school teams in the nation."

Instead, Porter, who was widely expected to become the sixth high school player from the state to go in the first round over the past 40 years, is still available after the first 80 picks Sunday.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's pitcher Brock Porter throws against Forest Hills Northern Friday, June 17, 2022, during the MHSAA D1 semifinal at McLane Stadium in East Lansing. Orchard Lake St. Mary's won 9-0. Porter threw a no-hitter. Dsc 9200
Orchard Lake St. Mary's pitcher Brock Porter throws against Forest Hills Northern Friday, June 17, 2022, during the MHSAA D1 semifinal at McLane Stadium in East Lansing. Orchard Lake St. Mary's won 9-0. Porter threw a no-hitter. Dsc 9200

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Soon it will be decision time for Porter, who will choose to either play at Clemson — where he is already enrolled and taking classes — for former Michigan coach Erik Bakich, or accept his professional offer.

The 19-year-old was a perfect 9-0 with a 0.26 ERA and 0.58 WHIP in 10 outings as a senior.

Pitcher Brock Porter celebrates a no-hitter June 17 in the Michigan state semifinals.
Pitcher Brock Porter celebrates a no-hitter June 17 in the Michigan state semifinals.

He had more no-hitters (three) than earned runs allowed (two) and helped combine on two other no-hitters while striking out 115 batters and giving up just nine hits in 58⅔ innings.

Porter helped the Eaglets win the state championship each of the last three seasons; OLSM won the Division 2 title in 2019 and 2021 (there was no tournament in 2020) before claiming the Division 1 crown earlier this summer.

The Eagles went 87-1 over the past two seasons including a perfect 44-0 in 2022. They were named Baseball America's High School National Champion in 2021 and currently hold a 65-game winning streak.

Contact Tony Garcia at apgarcia@freepress.com. Follow him on twitter at @realtonygarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: OLSM's Brock Porter not drafted on Day 1 of MLB draft.