Three More Penn State Baseball Players Selected in 2021 MLB Draft

Penn State pitcher Bailey Dees was selected by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Photo by Annie Kubiak | Onward State

Three Penn State baseball players — Justin Williams, Kyle Virbitsky, and Bailey Dees — were selected Tuesday on the third day of the 2021 MLB Draft.

The Houston Astros selected Williams No. 508 overall in the 17th round. The infielder started 42 games at third base in 2021 while batting .302 with 48 hits, 28 runs, and 23 RBIs.

Virbitsky, meanwhile, could join the Oakland Athletics as the No. 518 overall pick in the draft. The righty started 13 games for the Nittany Lions this season and recorded a 5-4 record. In 77.2 innings of work, Virbitsky logged 88 strikeouts on a 4.17 ERA.

Finally, the New York Yankees selected Dees No. 543 overall in the 18th round. Dees, also a righty who started 13 games this spring, posted a 5.59 ERA and 4-4 record. In 66 innings, he struck out 53 batters.

The trio of Nittany Lions joins Penn State prospect Lonnie White Jr. and pitcher Conor Larkin as MLB Draft selections. White and Larkin were selected on Monday by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively.

Drafted players have until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 15 to sign with their new teams. Choosing to enroll or remain enrolled at Penn State would effectively negate their draft selections.