KU infielder selected in sixth round of the MLB draft

LAWRENCE (KSNT) - Jayhawk sophomore Kodey Shojinaga heard his name called on day two of the MLB draft.

Shojinaga, a Kansas infielder, was selected in the sixth round, No. 192 overall, by the Philadelphia Phillies. He's the second Jayhawk to be taken off the board in the 2024 MLB draft, relief pitcher Hunter Cranton was selected in the third round.

Typically collegiate players cannot be drafted until their junior year, but Shojinaga's age makes him draft-eligible.

In just two years with KU baseball, Shojinaga quickly made a name for himself. He was named Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Year in 2023 and was on the preseason All-Big 12 team heading into 2024. As a freshman in 2023, the KU sophomore recorded a .378 batting average, 74 hits and 32 RBI. Shojinaga started and played in all 53 of KU's games in 2024, posting a .339 batting average, 78 hits and 46 RBIs.

The Hawaii native is not only efficient at the plate, but in the field, boasting a near perfect, .958 fielding percentage in 2024.

Though his time in Lawrence was short, Shojinaga was a driving force in KU baseball's program turnaround, headed by coach Dan Fitzgerald.