Griffin Canning primed to be first-round pick in MLB draft

After three years at UCLA, Griffin Canning turned himself into a top prospect for the 2017 MLB draft. (Don Liebig/UCLA Athletics)

 

Just a few hours before Griffin Canning is expected to hear his name called in the first round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft on Monday, he’ll be taking a final exam for a political science class.

Then his long-awaited professional career can start.

The Santa Margarita High product spent three years at UCLA polishing his four-pitch arsenal and racking up 301 career strikeouts. From almost the moment UCLA head coach John Savage saw the 6-foot-2 right-hander, he knew Canning had the potential to be a professional.

“He went out and did it the right way,” Savage said. “He proved it.”

MORE: Canning’s patience, perseverance pushes him toward MLB draft

MLB DRAFT
Schedule:
Monday, June 12 (Rounds 1-2; 4 p.m. PT)
Tuesday, June 13 (Rounds 3-10; 10 a.m. PT)
Wednesday, June 14 (Rounds 11-40; 9 a.m. PT)
Watch: MLB Network (Round 1)
Live Stream: MLB.com (All Rounds)