Three Western Carolina players were selected in the final five rounds of the MLB draft on July 14, bringing the school’s total to four players in 2025, the program’s best result since 2009.

Junior outfielder Brayden Corn, a North Henderson alum, was selected at No. 452 by the Seattle Mariners in the 15th round and will join teammate Dusty Revis, an 11th round pick (No. 332), in the organization.

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In the 20th and final round of the draft, senior pitcher Cannon Pickell was selected at No. 588 overall by the Miami Marlins, while junior outfielder Hayden Friese was picked at No. 607 by the Atlanta Braves.

Corn made 57 starts in center field for the Catamounts in 2025, batting .312 with 13 doubles and 11 home runs, the second-most on the team. He was named to the SoCon All-Tournament team after going 7-for-13 with three home runs. Before Western Carolina, Corn spent two seasons at USC Union, batting .378.

As a senior at North Henderson, Corn — a cousin of current North Henderson coach Jackie Corn — broke the Knights’ program record with 30 stolen bases. He hit .481 with seven doubles, three triples, one home run and 14 RBIs. Corn had a .577 on-base percentage and 13 walks, earning All-WNC honors.

Pickell made 12 appearances for the Catamounts, including three starts, and had a 13.50 ERA in 16â…” innings. He struck out 33, walked 23 and hit seven batters. He started his career at North Carolina before transferring to Pitt Community College, where he was a junior college All-American in 2022.

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Friese made 30 starts in left field and 27 starts at first base for the Catamounts. He batted .335 with 11 doubles, nine home runs and 47 RBIs.

Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @EvanGerike.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: MLB draft: Western Carolina gets three selected in final five rounds