Four drafted UNLV players sign pro baseball contracts

UNLV will have to rebuild its pitching staff next season after losing its top three starters and closer to the big leagues.

All four former Rebels who were drafted earlier this month — juniors Dean Kremer and D.J. Myers and seniors Ben Wright and Kenny Oakley — have signed with their respective clubs and been assigned to rookie-ball teams in the minors.

Kremer and Myers will begin their professional careers in the Arizona League while Wright and Oakley will start in the Pioneer League.

Kremer, who was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 14th round (431st overall pick), has been assigned to the Arizona League Dodgers.

Myers, a Coronado High School product who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 15th round (455th), will start with the Arizona League Giants.

Wright, who had a team-high 11 saves this season as UNLV’s closer, was chosen by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round (476th) and has been assigned to the Great Falls (Montana) Voyagers.

Oakley, a Coronado High product drafted in the 31st round (920th) by the Colorado Rockies, will start with the Grand Junction (Colorado) Rockies.

Oakley went 4-9 with a team-leading 4.36 ERA in 15 starts for the Rebels, who went 24-32 overall this season and finished fourth in the Mountain West with a 14-16 mark.

Kremer went 4-5 with a 4.92 ERA in a dozen starts in his only season at UNLV and Myers went 6-4 with a 5.23 ERA and team-best 70 strikeouts and 29 walks in 15 starts.

The Rebels won’t return any pitcher who started more than three games this season. UNLV will return its two leading hitters in sophomore left fielder Payton Squier, who batted .375, and third baseman Kyle Isbel, who hit .319 en route to earning MW Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-America honors.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33