Indiana’s Devin Taylor is the highest-drafted outfielder in program history

Indiana’s Devin Taylor became the highest-drafted outfielder in program history on Sunday evening.

He was selected 48th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2025 MLB First Year Player Draft.

Taylor is also the highest-drafted player in the coaching career of head coach Jeff Mercer. The veteran outfielder is also the seventh-highest selected player in program history during the summer MLB Draft era (since 1965).

The Cincinnati, Ohio native was one of the most decorated recruits to ever make it to campus when he showed up in the fall of 2022. The No. 78 overall recruit by Perfect Game three years ago was described as a “program changer” by Mercer when he chose the Hoosiers over a plethora of high-major teams.

During his collegiate career, Taylor was nothing short of special. He was a unanimous All-American in 2025 and earned eight All-American honors during his three seasons. Taylor was the 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year – one of four in program history. He helped lead IU to 108 wins during his time in Bloomington and was part of three Big Ten Tournament teams and two NCAA Tournament teams.

In April, Taylor broke the program’s all-time home run record. He hit at least 16 home runs in each of his three seasons and finished his illustrious career with 54 long balls. He racked up 229 hits, 37 doubles, 191 runs scored and 179 RBIs. He finished top-10 in program history in walks (125) and was a career .350 hitter at the top of IU’s lineup.

Six years after former IU player Matt Gorski (2-57) was selected in the second round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Taylor officially became the highest-drafted outfielder in program history. He’s just the fifth IU position player (Kyle Schwarber, 1-4 – 2014, Jim DeNeff, 1-8 – 1966, Kevin Orie, Comp A – 29 – 1993 and Josh Phegley, Comp A – 38 – 2009) to be picked inside the top-50 selections of the MLB Draft.

Before tonight, the Athletics had selected five former IU players in the MLB Draft. Taylor is the first picked by the organization since Jack Perkins in 2022. Perkins, who played one season for the Hoosiers, made his MLB debut for the club earlier this season.

Taylor is the 27th unique player drafted from IU during the Mercer era – extending IU’s Big Ten lead in the category over the previous seven seasons. He was the second-highest selected Big Ten player in this year’s proceedings (Mitch Voit, Michigan – Comp A – 38). Taylor is the 15th IU player selected in the top-10 rounds under Mercer.