BURLINGTON, N.C. - A record six Sock Puppets have started journeys on the ‘road to the show’ after hearing their name called in the 2024 MLB draft. Burlington’s six selections were good for second most draft picks across the Appalachian League in this year’s draft, with Greeneville having ten selections. The Sock Puppets also have the second most draft picks all-time with 14 former players being selected in the last four MLB drafts.

First off the draft board was '22 Burlington Sock Puppet Jacob Jenkins-Coward. The Miami Marlins selected Jenkins-Coward in the eighth round (244th overall).

The North Carolina native and East Carolina Pirate played one year in Burlington, finishing the 2022 season with a slash line of .242/.297/.303. The right fielder finished the year in eight games with eight base hits, two for extra bases, and four RBI.

At ECU, Jenkins-Coward was a key part of the program in all three seasons. This past spring, Jenkins-Coward's production at the plate reached an all-time high, finishing the season hitting .340 while slugging .558. Jenkins-Coward filled an iron-man-type role for the Pirates, playing 187 games over a three-year span, starting in all but two of those games.

The second Sock Puppet selected was Ryan McCrystal. The three-year Puppet got off to a blazing start in the summer of 2024, ending his campaign by batting .373 with seven extra-base hits. In 13 games this past year, the Burlington catcher had 22 base hits and 13 RBI, with an OPS of .962.

The Cincinnati Reds chose the former Burlington catcher in the ninth round with pick No. 269.

McCrystal's college career is a shining example of continued progression. Each season was a step forward for the ECU catcher, culminating in a career year in 2024. He improved in every offense category playing in 54 games this year for the Pirates. After three seasons in Greenville, McCrystal finished his college career as a .296 hitter while amassing 88 hits, nine home runs and a career slugging percentage of .448.

The final Sock Puppet selected in the first ten rounds was Kole Myers, a ninth-round selection with the 280th overall pick. A member of the 2022 squad, Myers was a vital member of that year's team. He became a steady piece in the Burlington outfield, playing in 38 games that summer. Myers was named to the East Appy League All-Star team that season.

Myers would go on and finish his college career at Troy. This past season was the career best for Myers in batting average, RBI and slugging percentage. The Trojan would accumulate a batting average of .309 in two seasons with 146 hits, 55 stolen bases, and 25 home runs.

Three more former Sock Puppets heard their name called on Day 3, bringing Burlington’s total to six draftees in the 2024 MLB Draft; the most Burlington has had so far in the first four years of being a summer collegiate league team.

Austin St. Laurent, a local Elon product by way of Appalachian State, was selected in the 14th round, 423 overall. After three productive seasons with the Mountaineers, St. Laurent will join the Seattle Mariners. In 2022, his only season in Burlington, he played in 22 games while recording 65 at-bats.

The hometown kid was a strong force up at the plate for the Sock Puppets, finishing the year batting .338 with a near .500 on base and slugging percentage (.494 & .462). His 2024 season with Appalachian State was a career-best, finishing this past spring with a .366 batting average with 60 RBIs and slugging over .600.

The fifth Sock Puppet selected was Will Gagnon from Reedley College. Gagnon was a 2023 Appalachian League All-Star for the Sock Puppets with 12 appearances out of the bullpen. He was selected 430th overall in the 14th round.

Last summer, Gagnon pitched 17.1 innings, allowing 22 hits and striking out 28 batters. His story is one of perseverance, as he became the only California Community College player selected in the 2024 draft. Gagnon signed to play for the UCLA Bruins in November 2023 and will have to decide which path he wants to take in his baseball journey.

Coming out of Saint Joseph’s University, Ryan Picollo was chosen in the final round of this year’s draft. One of the original Sock Puppets, Picollo played in the franchises’ first season in 2021.

The SJU outfielder had a productive junior and senior season with the Hawks, playing in 40-plus games each season. His selection comes after hitting .290 this past season with 13 home runs and 49 RBI, all career-bests. This season earned him a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team.

Burlington finishes the 2024 draft with six selections, a historic number for the Sock Puppets. The former Appy League players split down the middle with their selections, with three guys drafted in the first ten rounds and the other three in the final ten.

"Each year, our coaching staff's goal is to unlock the most out of every player, and we’ve had the pleasure of working with some great players," Essien said. "It’s exciting to see three former Sock Puppets getting drafted here on Day 2, and we’re looking forward to adding even more on Day 3 and in future MLB Drafts."

The league saw 38 total players selected, now setting their record for most selections in a single draft.