KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island outfielder Mark Coley was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 17th round of the 2023 MLB Draft on Tuesday afternoon. The Bloomfield, Conn. native was the 503rd pick overall.

Coley was having a breakout season in 2023 before he suffered a broken jaw in a midweek contest, causing him to miss 50 days. He belted out a three-RBI home run in his first game back, lifting Rhody to an 8-5 victory over VCU (May 18) in true story-book fashion. 

He hit .444 in the five games that he played to close out the 2023 campaign, slashing .316/.385/.643 on the year with eight doubles and as many home runs. Coley was a perfect 6-for-6 on the base paths and fielded .951 in centerfield with a pair of assists. 

Coley capped off his time in Kingston by representing the Rams at the 2023 NEIBA All-Star Game. He is the eighth Ram to either be drafted or sign with an MLB team since head coach Raphael Cerrato took over the Rhode Island program in 2015. 

Additionally, he joins former Ram Chris Hess as one of two players to be taken in the top-20 rounds under Cerrato's watch. Hess was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 17th round in 2017. Hess is currently the hitting coach for the Greenville Drive (Boston Red Sox High-A affiliate).