Elijah Ickes of the Nanaimo NightOwls was picked in the 19th round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers. (Chad Frostad/Nanaimo NightOwls)

By Dan Marshall

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NightOwls shortstop chosen by Texas Rangers in MLB draft

Jul 12, 2023 | 2:24 PM

NANAIMO — NightOwls starting shortstop Elijah Ickes is one step closer to the majors after getting selected in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

The Texas Rangers took the first-year standout on the final day of the 20-round draft.

Ickes is bound for the University of Hawaii this fall but is already making waves in his rookie season in the Harbour City. NightOwls co-owner Jim Swanson was hopeful Ickes would have his named called at the draft.

“If you haven’t had a chance to come out and see Elijah Ickes yet you want to make sure you watch him play. He has a battery that just keeps on going, he’s producing at the top of the order and makes unbelievable plays in the field.”

He leads the NightOwls in games played with 26 and runs scored with 21 while sporting a .287 batting average.

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Earlier this spring Ickes was named the Hawaii Player of the Year at the high school level with an average of .448, 26 stolen bases and 36 runs scored en route to a state championship.

Overall, there were 40 current or former West Coast League players selected in the 2023 MLB draft.

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