Eden Prairie native Joey Danielson selected by Texas Rangers in MLB Draft

North Dakota State pitcher Joey Danielson, a native of Eden Prairie, was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 17th round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Tuesday.

The 6'3" Danielson played catcher at Eden Prairie High School but converted to pitching during his third season at NDSU in 2022. He had a 4.29 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 21 innings that year.

After a rough 2023 season that saw Danielson record an 8.38 ERA, he bounced back in 2024 with a 4.85 ERA that was the third-best mark on the Bison roster. He had 11 saves — sixth-most in the country — and 39 strikeouts in 39 innings this year, earning All-Summit League first team honors. Danielson notably struck out five batters across 1.2 innings in a March 1st game against Oregon State.

Danielson isn't the only Minnesota native to get drafted this year. Prior Lake's Connor Wietgrefe , who played for the Gophers, was taken by the Pirates in the seventh round. Minnetonka's Ryan Lambert was taken in the eighth round by the Mets after playing at Oklahoma. Lakeville South grad Justin Lohr, who played at Xavier and LSU, went to the Rockies in the 13th round.