With six selections in the 2017 MLB Draft, FIU had the most players taken of any Conference USA team. In addition, FIU had 14 players from its No. 1-ranked 2017 signing class drafted in the 2017 MLB Draft.

The six Panthers drafted tied for the second most FIU players drafted in a single season in the program's 45-year history. FIU had six players drafted in 1993. The FIU baseball program record for drafted players is seven, which happened for the then-Golden Panthers' 1989 team.

"The players have worked extremely hard to play professional baseball," FIU head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "And the relationships we have built with the professional scouting community are very strong. That's a good combination for our players to have the chance to play professional baseball."

FIU, which had two more drafted players than Southern Miss and Charlotte to lead C-USA, had its first player taken in the 15^th round when the Baltimore Orioles picked catcher JC Escarra.

In the 18^th round, catcher Zack Soria was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and left-hander Dominic LoBrutto went to the Boston Red Sox.

Shortstop Irving Lopez was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19^th round.

A couple of relief pitchers made up the other two FIU draftees. Right-hander Franklin Van Gurp, who was a catcher one year ago, was picked by the San Francisco Giants in the 25^th round. The Colorado Rockies, the Giants' NL West rival, took senior right-hander Michael Agis in the 36^th round.

FIU, which had the No. 1-ranked 2017 signing class according to Perfect Game, had 14 signees drafted.

"It's kind of bittersweet that you recruited talented players but at the same token you are going to lose some of them to the draft," Melendez said. "We're hoping that we get five or six to come to FIU to better their stock and their position in the draft. In three years they will be in much better shape."

Outfielder Heliot Ramos was a first round choice of the Giants. Catcher MJ Melendez, FIU coach Mervyl's son, went to the Kansas City Royals in the second round on Day 1 of the draft.

Outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the third round and right-hander Wilberto Rivera was picked by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round.

Shortstop Justin Connell went to the Washington Nationals in the 11^th round. Left-hander Jerryell Rivera Gonzalez (Los Angeles Angels) and outfielder Gabriel Rodriguez (Minnesota Twins) both also were drafted in the 11^th round.

Shortstop Abdiel Layer was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 13^th round. A few rounds later a couple of signed FIU pitchers were drafted. Right-hander Christian Santana also went to the Brewers in the 15^th round. Left-hander Logan Allen was picked by the Baltimore Orioles in the 16^th round.

In the 28^th round, the Red Sox took outfielder Oraj Anu and one round later the Houston Astros drafted outfielder Andres Santana.

Catcher Jose Garcia had the Red Sox draft him in the 38^th round and left-handed pitcher Joe Sanchez was drafted by the Braves in the 39th round.