FAYETTEVILLE — The 87th overall pick in the third round of the MLB Draft on Thursday could not have been better in the eyes of Bobby Wernes.
The selection, which belonged to the Philadelphia Phillies and was just the franchise’s second in this year’s five-round virtual draft, was used on Razorbacks junior shortstop Casey Martin. The Lonoke native helped lead the program to back-to-back College World Series appearances for the first time.
“Oh this is absolutely beautiful,” Wernes tweeted just moments after the organization’s announcement was made.
Wernes’ words were more than general happiness for a Razorback being drafted. A 2015 All-SEC Defensive Team selection by the league’s coaches, Wernes has a dog in the fight. The former Arkansas third baseman is the manager of the Gulf Coast League Phillies West, one of Philadelphia’s rookie-ball teams.
"I was fired up," Wernes told WholeHogSports. "Talking to the guys in the player development department, everyone is really fired up that he fell to us in the third round. He’s an explosive athlete, and his ball-off-the-bat power is impressive. You don’t see big-time speed, big-time power guys. Those are rare. For a guy with that skillset to fall to the Phillies in the third round is very rare.
"I just think the dirtbag mentality he plays with is something Philadelphia fans are going to be attracted to."
On Aug. 3, 2018, Wernes announced his playing career was over. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 30th round in 2015. When the Razorbacks’ fall practices began in 2018, Wernes was with the team as a student assistant. That is where he and Martin’s paths crossed. They formed a special bond in a short amount of time.
Their paths could merge again soon, and both are excited about that possibility.
“Bobby actually called me (Thursday) and he texted me and I'm supposed to call him again (Friday) sometime,” Martin said Friday on a Zoom conference call with reporters. “I got a chance to work with Bobby when he was here with the university before he got the job offer with the Phillies. He was outstanding. He has outstanding character as a person, as a coach, as a player.
“He has nothing but respect from others. Man, there's not a single person that doesn't like Bob. I love Bobby. He's a one-time guy. He's a character, he's fun to be around, he's exciting.”
Martin was not certain where he would begin his professional baseball career in terms of level of play. He said he is now playing the waiting game until the organization decides where he will be shipped.
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn, though, knew wholeheartedly the Phillies were excited to be able to select the star shortstop. He added that Philadelphia had been interested in Martin, a two-time second-team All-SEC selection, since his days at Lonoke High School.
“I know a couple of their scouts and we’ve talked a few times over the last year or two about Casey,” Van Horn said on the Zoom call. “They had the 15th pick of the first round and they didn’t pick again until the 80th-something pick.
“They didn’t feel like Casey Martin would be there, but there he was and they got him. … He’s still going to get paid really nicely and I think bottom line he’s with an organization that really wanted him.
"He’s happy about it, so I’m happy for him.”
Although Martin’s immediate future in baseball is cloudy because of the coronavirus pandemic, he said he would love to play for Wernes.
“I mean, that guy has a lot of knowledge to share with the world, so I don't know why you wouldn't want to play with the guy,” Martin said. “(Being a manager at a young age) shows a lot about his character, his progress through the years and the knowledge that he's brought in.
“He's able to teach these guys and pass it on, which says a lot about his developmental side and his coaching. He'll make a great career out of it one day.”
Wernes would also enjoy the chance to manage the speedy Martin, but he sees the shortstop flying by his level quickly.
"When I saw his name pop up, it was so cool," Wernes added. "This year would be a dream come true because that means we’re playing baseball. If you told me I got to manage him this year I’d be fired up.
"If there is an opportunity to manage him it’ll probably be pretty brief."