SEATTLE – The MLB draft concluded rounds five through 10 on Monday, and UIC infielder Charlie Szykowny was selected in the ninth round by the San Francisco Giants, with the 270^th overall pick. The Palos Heights, Ill. native was the first collegiate position player selected in the 2023 MLB Draft from the state of Illinois.

Flames infielder Charlie Szykowny has been drafted in the ninth round by the @SFGiants!

Congratulations Charlie????#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/6hlxK6UASh

— UIC Baseball ???? (@UIC_Baseball) July 10, 2023

 
"I am very excited to start my professional career with a great organization like the San Francisco Giants," said Szykowny Monday. "I wouldn't be able to get to where I am without the support I've had from everyone along the way, including my coaching staff at UIC."
 
"We are so proud of Charlie for realizing his dreams of playing in the MLB," commented UIC head coach Sean McDermott. "He came into our program and brought a blue-collar work ethic, high energy and was a tremendous leader for our team. We're proud that his efforts have been recognized by the Giants organization, and we know that he is going to put in the work he needs to in order to be successful. He embodied everything we want our program to be about, and we look forward to following along throughout his professional baseball career."
 
Szykowny, a transfer from Wisconsin-Stout, made an immediate impact offensively for the Flames in 2023. The graduate transfer third baseman hit .335 for the season and ranked among the top five in the MVC with 55 RBI and 16 home runs. He led the team in batting average, runs scored, hits, triples, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage in his only season in Chicago.