Bien Drafted In 31st Round By Kansas City Royals

Bowling Green State University shortstop Brian Bien was drafted in the 31st round of the 2015 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday afternoon. Bien, a two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection, was selected with the 939th overall pick.

"BGSU Baseball is very proud of Brian and happy that he is getting a chance to continue his baseball career in the Kansas City Royals organization," head coach Danny Schmitz said. "Brian is a tremendous baseball player and an even better person, and we wish him the best of luck as he joins the Royals organization."

Bien was a standout for the Falcons during his four-year career, starting all four seasons at shortstop for the Orange and Brown. He finished his career ranked among the top 10 in school history in several categories, including at-bats (709, 3rd), hits (227, 6th), assists (585, 1st), and games played (198, 9th).

"I am beyond blessed with this opportunity to continue my baseball career playing professionally," Bien started. "It is a surreal and humbling experience that I am truly grateful for. I cannot thank my coaches, teammates, family, and friend enough for getting me to where I am today. I would not be here if it were not for all of their support. I am extremely excited with this opportunity and cannot wait to represent Bowling Green and make all of the people that have supported me throughout the years proud."

Twice during his career Bien earned All-MAC honors, including first team recognition following the 2014 season. He was named second team All-MAC following his freshman season in 2012. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Bien batted .320 during his Falcon career. He scored 117 runs with an on-base percentage of .366.

Bien struggled with injuries early in the season during both his sophomore and senior seasons, but still managed to play in 52 games during 2015. A captain for the Falcons, Bien started 47 at shortstop. He finished the season with a .283 batting average, after hitting just .160 through the first two months of the season. Bien batted .313 during MAC play this past season, with 11 multi-hit games in an 18-game stretch from April 10-May 12.

A graduate of Roger Bacon High School, Bien shined during his junior season when he batted .351 with a team-high 71 hits. He started all 52 games at shortstop, reaching base safely in 46 contests. He had 20 multi-hit games during the 2014 season, including two four-hit games. He also stole 17 bases and hit .371 in MAC play. Perhaps most impressive was when Bien flashed the leather throughout the season, fielding .973.

In 2013 Bien overcame early-season injury struggles, but still batted .295 overall. He hit .331 over the course of the season's final 39 games, scoring 30 runs. He played in 47 games during his sophomore season with 12 multi-hit games. During the two games of the NCAA Tournament, Bien was on base six times and recorded three hits vs. Oklahoma State.

Bien burst on to the scene as a true freshman in 2012, batting .345 with 58 hits. He stole seven bases and reached base in 12 straight games to end the campaign. His 17 multi-hit games landed him on the All-MAC second team.

Bien joins teammate Trey Keegan as the two Falcons who have been drafted thus far in 2015. Bien and Keegan are the first pair of Falcon teammates since 2011 to be drafted in the same season, when Jon Berti (Toronto Blue Jays, 18th round) and Ross Gerdeman (Arizona Diamondbacks, 35th round) were selected.

Danny Schmitz continues a long history of successful player development, as Keegan becomes Bowling Green's 24th draft pick since Schmitz took over the program in 1991. 35 players have signed professional contracts in Schmitz's 25 seasons, with the possibility of Bien and Keegan making it a total of 37 players.

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