Three Troy baseball players were selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft last week.

Danny Collins, Logan Pierce and Trae Santos all had their name called and were presented with the opportunity to continue their careers beyond college.

Collins was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the thirteenth round, Pierce by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifteenth round and Santos went to the San Diego Padres in the seventeenth round.

“It is a tremendous honor for all of them to be drafted and have the opportunity to play baseball at the next level,” said Troy head coach Bobby Pierce. “All three have had great careers at Troy and I know will be great additions to the organizations that drafted them.”

Collins said he planned to talk with Troy coaches, but made his decision public on Monday via Twitter saying “I am excited to announce that I will be forgoing my senior season and will be starting a new chapter in my life this Wednesday. Go Pirates.”

Santos, also a junior, must make the decision of whether to accept the team’s contract offer or return to school, as well. Pierce, the lone senior of the group, will likely be assigned to the Williamsport Crosscutters, which is a Class A Short Season affiliate in the Phillies organization.

“I’ve already graduated and I never planned on starting a graduate program which is what I’ll have to do if I come back,” Collins said. “I’m still going to meet with the [Troy] coaches as a courtesy for all they have done for me. [Being drafted] is a dream come true. It’s what you dream about as a kid.”

Collins said more than anything he is looking forward to getting back onto the field.

Santos also has a year of eligibility left at Troy and will likely sit down Troy coaches to discuss his options.

Players have until 4 p.m. on July 12 to sign contracts.

Collins, who batted. 360 this season with 11 home runs and a team-high 68 RBIs, could meet up with Pierce in the New York-Penn League if he is assigned to Class A Short Season Jamestown.

Santos could land with Class A Short Season Eugene in the Northwest League.

Santos led the Trojans with 18 home runs, which ranked third nationally, while batting .292 with 66 RBIs.

Pierce batted .364 with eight homers and 63 RBIs.

Short Season is a form of Class A minor league baseball that plays a shortened schedule, normally about 75 games as opposed to a full 140-game minor league slate.

Most college players drafted begin their professional careers at the Short Season level while high school draftees are assigned to Rookie League teams.