Cal Poly’s 2017 Friday night starter joined a teammate on the list of players who have been drafted in the early rounds of the Major League Baseball draft.

Erich Uelmen has been Cal Poly’s most consistent starting pitcher over the past two seasons. By Owen Main

In the fourth round (pick 135 overall), the Cubs drafted a Mustang for the second time in the past three years. In 2015, Chicago drafted Casey Bloomquist in the 17th round. 

After spending the summer of 2016 in the Cape Cod League, Uelmen was penciled-in as Cal Poly’s ace Friday starter in 2017. Cal Poly had the dominant pitching at the top of their staff to do damage this past season, but the Mustangs played poorly during the beginning of the season. After winning the season opener at Cal, Uelmen didn’t win another game for nearly two months. 

About the time conference play rolled around, the team started to come around and Uelmen and the pitching staff finally got some help. Cal Poly finished in second place during the Big West regular season (16-8), but still finished the season at 28-28 overall — not enough to make a NCAA regional. 

Uelmen finished the season at 4-8 with 100 strikeouts in 15 starts over 98 1/3 innings. If he signs, he’ll join Bloomquist in the Cubs organization. About a decade ago, former Cal Poly closer Rocky Roquet spent time in the Chicago minor league system as well. 

Uelmen’s selection marks the fourth time in Cal Poly history that the Mustangs have had two players selected in the top four rounds. All four times it’s been under head coach Larry Lee. 

Cal Poly starting pitcher Spencer Howard was drafted 45th overall (2nd round) by the Phillies in the first day of the Major League Baseball draft on Monday night. Howard, who was the Mustangs’ Saturday starter this past season, was 8-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 2017. He struck out 97 batters and walked just 23 in 87 innings.

Spencer Howard became the highest Cal Poly draft pick since Mitch Haniger went 38th overall in 2012. By Owen Main

Howard is the third Mustang drafted by the Phillies in recent memory. Brett Barbier was drafted in the 16th round by the Phillies last year and Matt Imhof went 47th, also in the second round, to Philadelphia in 2014. 

Imhof was a member of the Cal Poly coaching staff this past season while he finished his degree. 

A redshirt sophomore and local (Templeton, CA) product, Howard is the highest draft pick from Cal Poly since Mitch Haniger went 38th overall in 2012.