BOSTON – Three standout #AEBASE performers were selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday, as Conner Griffin, Jason Krieger, and Jackson Mitchell all heard their names called.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that three former America East standouts have been drafted, the fourth straight year a Maine Black Bear was selected, and the third consecutive year a Binghamton Bearcat was drafted.

Griffin, a right-handed pitcher from Binghamton, was the first off the board, selected in the 10th round (302nd overall) by the Cincinnati Reds. He finished the 2026 season as a Second Team All-Conference selection after posting a 3.93 ERA in league play. He struck out 65 batters in 60.1 innings while holding opponents to a .215 batting average. Griffin made 15 starts during the season, helping the Bearcats capture both the America East regular-season and tournament titles. He also logged five scoreless innings in the America East tournament-opening victory over UMass Lowell.

Krieger, a 2026 First Team All-Conference pitcher, was selected in the 17th round (518th overall) by the New York Yankees. The Black Bear struck out 55 batters over 88.2 innings and posted a 3.42 ERA in league play across 50.0 innings. In the 2026 #AEBASE Tournament, he pitched 6.1 innings in Maine's opening victory over UAlbany.

Mitchell became the second Bearcat selected when the Miami Marlins chose him in the 19th round (565th overall). He made six starts in 16 appearances this season, earning Second Team All-Conference honors. The right-handed pitcher recorded a league-high four saves while posting a 4.22 ERA and striking out 51 batters over 49.0 innings. Mitchell played a key role in helping the Bearcats capture both the America East regular-season and tournament championships, pitching 3.0 innings in Binghamton's 6-5 win over Maine to advance to the #AEBASE title game.
 

ABOUT AMERICA EAST

Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.