A big moment came for New Mexico Lobo relief pitcher Cooper Corkrean this week when he was drafted 539th overall in the eighteenth round of the MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals.
Corkrean started off his collegiate career with the Galveston College Whitecaps, where he played 19 games from 2023-2025.
Corkrean found experience in amateur baseball, as he spent a season in the West Coast League (WCL) for the Portland Pickles in 2025. During his time with the Pickles, he racked up a 4.19 ERA in 10 games with 2 starts, including a save, 15 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.345.
At New Mexico, Corkrean found his stride collegiately during the 2025-2026 season, earning more opportunities with the Lobos and proving dividends. He won 75 percent of his games with a 6-2 record, also earning a 5.49 ERA in 21 games with 4 saves, 59 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.441. Corkrean’s most batters struck out in a single game was 6, which he achieved in a game versus the San Jose State Trojans on March 15. The most innings he pitched in a game is 5, against the Nevada Wolfpack on April 19.
Corkrean became the first Lobo selected in the MLB Draft since Isaac Gallegos, who was taken by the Atlanta Braves back in the 2023 draft. He is now the 96th UNM baseball player to be drafted dating back to 1966.
At the end of his lone season with the Lobos, Corkrean earned Second Team All-Mountain West honors for his efforts.
It has not been a great season for the Kansas City Royals ahead of the All Star break; they currently sit at last place in the American League Central Division with a 38-59 record, though they do have two all stars this season in Bobby Witt Jr. and Michael Wacha. Corkrean will look to add juice to the pitching rotation in Kansas City.
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X @DailyLobo
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