Baseball

Bernal Drafted by San Francisco in 29th Round

June 11, 2016

Michael Bernal Bio | 2016 MLB Draft Central

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Senior shortstop Michael Bernal became the fourth Arkansas player drafted when he was selected in the 29th round, No. 876 overall, by the San Francisco Giants in the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft Saturday afternoon.

Bernal follows Zach Jackson, Clark Eagan and Dominic Taccolini as the newest Razorback drafted to the MLB over the last two days and he is first Hog taken by the Giants since Daryl Maday in 2006.

From El Paso, Texas, Bernal was Arkansas’ primary shortstop throughout the 2016 season, playing in and starting 55 games and batting .274 with a team-leading 8 home runs and 37 RBI. Bernal also had one of the strongest infield arms in the Southeastern Conference as he compiled a .955 fielding percentage during the year.

Bernal turned in one of the best weekends by a Razorback player at the Houston College Classic during the second week of the season. The shortstop showed off his bat in a big way, hitting for a career-high 5 RBI off 2 home runs against a top-10 Houston team and then followed that with another home run against No. 23 Texas Tech to help in a 10-6 comeback win.

His performance at the tournament earned him MVP honors as well as SEC Co-Player and Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week honors.

Bernal nearly topped himself during the SEC home opening weekend against Auburn. With Arkansas looking to earn the series victory over the Tigers, Bernal powered his team with another two home run performance, part of a five hit, seven RBI weekend.

The shortstop finished his Razorback career with a .264 batting average, 147 hits, 14 home runs and 85 RBI. He also got hit by a pitch 34 times over the last three seasons, which ties him for fourth all-time in Razorback history with former All-American Kendrick Moore.

Rounds 11-40 of the draft continue through Saturday afternoon and will conclude after the 40th round. All the selections can be followed on MLB.com.

The signing deadline for underclassmen and high school seniors selected in the 2016 First Year Player draft is July 15.

For more information on Razorback Baseball, follow @RazorbackBSB on Twitter.

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