Newport Knights 2016 graduate AJ Block’s name was called during the Major League Baseball draft on June 11.

Block, who was the Knights’ No. 1 starter on the bump this past season, was selected by the Chicago Cubs organization in the 39th round (1184th overall).

Despite being chosen by the Cubs organization, Block will honor his commitment to play for the Washington State University baseball team this spring.

Newport Knights baseball head coach Brad Files said he is excited to watch Block suit up for the Crimson and Gray.

“He is going to Washington State. He is a 3.85 or 3.9 student so academics are very important to him. It is an incredible honor to get drafted. Those kids that got Division-1 scholarships usually go to school. It is a no-brainer,” Files said of Block opting to go the collegiate route. “I project him to be a starter (pitcher) at some point. I don’t know if that will happen right away or not but his future on the mound is very bright if he just continues to grow and I think he will. He works extremely hard at it. If he can stay away from injury — knock on wood — his future definitely has professional baseball in it.”

Files said Newport’s left-handed ace has all the attributes you could ever want in a hurler on the hill.

“He is very competitive and he is a great teammate,” he said. “The Cougs (Washington State University) saw that too and that is why they jumped on him. We are extremely proud of AJ and the example he has set for the younger players in the program.”

Files and the Newport baseball coaching staff are looking forward to watching Block on the diamond during his collegiate career in Pullman.

“I’m going to be out there as much as possible to see him play. Of course, when he comes over to play the Huskies, we will all be there. We keep track of our alumni. We always have and we always will,” Files said of the Newport coaching staff.