BOCA RATON, Fla. – Nolan Schanuel made Florida Atlantic history on Sunday night when the Los Angeles Angels drafted him with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Schanuel surpassed C.J. Chatham, who was selected 51st overall (second round) in 2016, as FAU Athletics’ previous highest professional draft pick in any sport.
The reigning Conference USA Player of the Year led all of Division I in batting average (.447), on base percentage (.615), and walks (71). Schanuel also led C-USA in slugging percentage (.868), hits (88), and OPS (1.483). He was a semifinalist for several national honors, including USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Award and the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award. D1Baseball, Perfect Game, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, Baseball America, and the ABCA each named Schanuel as a First Team All-American.
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Schanuel on the moment he heard his name called by the Angels
“This has been a lifelong dream of mine. And to be able to be in the Angels organization now has just made that dream 10 times better. I’m so excited, I’m ready to go, I’m ready to fly out today.”
On what he hopes will be the next steps
“I want to be right there with (2022 first round pick) Zach Neto, Ben Joyce, Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani. I want to be a teammate of theirs and get going.”
Head Coach John McCormack
“I’m unbelievably proud of Nolan. He did this. He earned this. The Angels are getting a great baseball player and an even better human being. He’s a hard worker, he’s selfless, and he’s a great teammate.”
Angels Scouting Director Tim McIlvaine
“Nolan does a lot things that we like and that we sought out to look for. He’s got power, he can hit, he knows the zone, rarely ever strikes out. He understands the game, he’s got a really good baseball mind.”
McIlvaine on similarities to 2022 first round pick Zach Neto out of Campbell University
“I think it’s more of a coincidence that they’re both mid-major guys. More than anything we look for which guys are the right fit for us and this guy [Schanuel) is wired right. He’s a really good competitor, he really wants to win.”
The MLB Draft continues Monday at 2 p.m. with rounds three through 10 and concludes Tuesday at the same time with rounds 11-20.
