Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE - Max Muncy, the heralded high school shortstop out of Thousands Oaks,  Calif. signed by the Arkansas Razorbacks, now has a first-round option of turning professional.

Selected  by the Oakland A’s, Muncy was the 25th player chosen in Monday night’s first round of the Major League Baseball draft.

Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said in June that Muncy’s senior high school drew considerable attention from the pro scouts and “there’ a good chance he might sign.”

Muncy hit .459 with 11 home runs, including four grand slams, with 49 RBI Thousand Oaks High School.

Muncy was the lone player with Razorbacks ties to be drafted in Monday’s first round.

Conway native Jordan Wicks, the ace left-handed pitcher for Kansas State University, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs as the 16th player selected in Monday’s first round rounds.

“It’s stuff you dream about,” Wicks said Sunday night on the Major League Baseball Network.  “I just couldn’t be happier to be wearing blue and red.”

Wicks has a 3-seasons K-Stat4e record of 15-6 with a career 3.24 earned run average with 230 strikeouts vs. 58 walks for 203 innings.

Rounds 2-10 of the 20-rounds draft will be conducted Monday.