Burgmann selected along with Huskies' battery mate on Day 2 of draft

Vauxhall Academy alum Josh Burgmann (Nanaimo, B.C.) (right) and his battery mate Kyle Kahle (left) were selected on Day 2 of the 2019 MLB draft. Photo: University of Washington Athletics

Official Press Release from University of Washington Athletics

SEATTLE – Washington battery mates Nick Kahle and Josh Burgmann (Nanaimo, B.C.) were selected in the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.

Kahle, a junior catcher from Simi Valley, Calif., was selected in the fourth round, 133rd overall by the Milwaukee Brewers, while Burgmann, a redshirt-sophomore right-handed pitcher from Nanaimo, B.C., was selected in the fifth round, 162nd overall by the Chicago Cubs.

It marks the second time in five years that two Huskies have been selected in the top-five rounds and the fourth time in five years that at least two Huskies were selected in the top-10 rounds. Kahle becomes the fourth UW catcher since 2015 to be picked in the top-10 rounds.

"The Brewers picked up a winner in Nick Kahle," said Washington Coach Lindsay Meggs. "While everyone knows that Nick is a professional hitter and outstanding behind the plate, it's his work ethic that sets him apart. No one out works Nick Kahle."

The right-handed hitting Kahle just completed his junior season in which he earned All-Pac-12 recognition and was honorable mention Pac-12 All-Defensive. He started all 52 games, hit a team-high .339 and had an on-base percentage of .506 – which ranked third in the Pac-12 and 11th nationally. He is the first Husky since Kyle Conley in 2009 to have a slugging percentage (.532) plus on-base percentage over 1.000 (1.038).

Kahle led Washington with 50 runs batted in, tied for the team lead with 17 extra-base hits and walked a team record 59 times. He was a semifinalist for the Buster Posey Catcher of the Year and was on the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List.

Defensively, he was one of the hardest catchers in the nation to steal against. He threw out 13 of 32 runners on the season.

Burgmann wrapped up his third year at Washington by going 4-6 with a 3.99 ERA in 14 starts. He ended the regular season tied for second in the Pac-12 with 101 strikeouts and ranked eighth with 79 innings pitched.

Burgmann got off to an especially strong start to the season, going 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA in his first seven starts. He was named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week on March 5 after throwing a career-high eight shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out 10 in a 5-0 combined shutout of Cal Poly.

"Congratulations to Josh and the Cubs," said Meggs. "Josh is just beginning to come into his own. His low to mid-90's fastball is complimented by a wipeout slider that will serve him well at the pro level. The Cubs got a good one here as Josh's best innings are ahead of him."

He was a member of the Canadian Junior National Team from 2014-16 and attended Vauxhall Academy of Baseball in Alberta. It marks the second time Burgmann has been picked in the MLB Draft as he was a 30th round selection by St. Louis in the 2016 MLB Draft.