Kirkland native and Lewis and Clark State infielder Josh Ashenbrenner was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball draft on June 18.

The second and third baseman said he was watching the draft on TV when he saw his name come up on the reader board.

“I really just wanted a chance,” he said.

Ashenbrenner, who graduated from Lake Washington High School, played infield for the Warriors in Lewiston, Idaho for three years after playing as a freshman with Washington State University.

He said he has signed a contract with the Tigers and is currently playing in the New York-Penn league on the Connecticut Tigers team, a short season affiliate of Detroit.

“It’s a different part of the world back here,” he said of the East Coast. “I’m playing every day.”

While he’s played a variety of positions throughout the years, he said he’s been playing second and third lately, but that he doesn’t have a preference, he just wants to play.

The Lewis and Clark senior said he has two semesters of school left and that he definitely plans on finishing, going back to the place that prepared him for his baseball future.

“Playing there prepared me and got me to be a better baseball player,” he said of Lewis & Clark. “I’m glad I went back and played all four seasons.”

Ashenbrenner is one of seven members of the Warriors team this season to be drafted.

During his time at L&C State, Ashenbrenner played second base, shortstop and third base, playing third during the Avista NAIA World Series. He hit .435 this season and was tied for second with 44 RBI. He had 11 doubles and five home runs.

During his time at LWHS he played football and baseball, earning several first team All-KingCo honors in his high school career.

He said he plans to return to Kirkland to see family once the season is over.

“It will be pretty cool to come back home,” he said.