Nick Ernst RHP / 3B / La Salle, OH / 2015

CINCINNATI - When an injury brought a quick ending to the spring baseball season of Nick Ernst, it also brought with it another fear.

“I didn’t think I would get drafted with a fully torn ACL,” admitted Ernst, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow four months ago. “I thought my chance to get drafted went out the window.”

Still, the Miami of Ohio junior pitcher remained hopeful during the draft.

“I was at my house watching MLB.com hooked up to my TV,” Ernst reflected about hearing what he had dreamed about since he was a kid. “The Yankees were in contact with my advisor before it started, but they drafted me even before they told me. It was a super surreal moment to have my family with me.”

The selection came in round 15 with the 457th pick of the draft.

“Tears were flying everywhere,” said Ernst, who credits his parents with helping get him where he is in the game.

“My dad has always been there for me,” Ernst said of his father Greg, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November but is now cancer free. “To not watch me play in his recovery was tough.”