Monday night marked Day Two of the 2021 MLB Draft, as three Tar Heels each heard their names called and will now embark on their professional journeys.

Right-hander Austin Love was the first UNC player to come off the board, going in the third round (90th overall) to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Love’s 129 strikeouts this past season rank second in school history, as the First Team All-ACC performer becomes the first Tar Heel pitcher to go in the third round or better since the Cardinals took current Arizona Diamondbacks star Zac Gallen in the same round back in 2016.

The Diamondbacks used their fifth-round pick on Monday (138th overall) to take UNC outfielder Caleb Roberts, who led the Tar Heels with 10 home runs in 2021 — while finishing second on the team in RBIs (36) and third in batting average (.270).

Speedy center fielder Justice Thompson became the third Tar Heel selected on Monday when the Cincinnati Reds took him in the sixth round with the 180th overall pick.

Thompson broke onto the scene this season in his first year at UNC after transferring from Northwest Florida State College, hitting .304 at the plate with seven home runs and flashing some great defense in the outfield on the way to Second Team All-ACC recognition.

This marks the 44th consecutive season that UNC has had at least one player selected in the MLB Draft. The trio helped guide the Tar Heels to a 28-27 record this past season under new head coach Scott Forbes and a place in the NCAA Tournament Lubbock Regional.

The final 10 rounds of the event will take place on Tuesday.

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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