All-American Undrafted: Keaton Anthony’s Path to MLB

Keaton Anthony, once a rising star in college baseball at Iowa, saw his career path take a sharp turn after an NCAA investigation into sports betting. He’d been projected for the third to seventh rounds of the 2023 MLB Draft, but his draft stock nosedived following a suspension for breaking NCAA rules—even though he never bet on his own team.

Still, Anthony didn’t fold. He clawed his way up the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league system after they picked him in the 20th round. This blog post looks at Anthony’s bumpy ride, the controversy around the investigation, and the ongoing debates about NCAA rules and sports betting in college sports.

The Rise of Keaton Anthony and His Fall from Grace

Anthony’s college baseball run at Iowa turned heads. Scouts took notice, and chatter about his draft prospects grew before 2023.

But things unraveled fast when he got caught up in the NCAA’s sports betting probe involving athletes from Iowa and Iowa State. The investigation changed everything.

The NCAA Investigation and Its Consequences

Anthony’s suspension came from allegations that he broke NCAA rules against athletes wagering on NCAA-sponsored sports. He wasn’t accused of betting on his own team, but just being connected to the investigation made him ineligible until May 2024.

Authorities reportedly used geofencing technology—sometimes without warrants—which stirred up a lot of criticism. The fallout hit hard: more than two dozen athletes got suspended. Some even faced criminal charges at first, though those were dropped later.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Losing key players like Anthony during a crucial postseason stretch left coaches convinced the team’s chances took a major hit.

The Unexpected Opportunity with the Philadelphia Phillies

Most teams skipped Anthony in the 2023 MLB Draft, but the Phillies rolled the dice in the 20th and final round. That pick showed they saw something in him, even with the drama swirling around his name.

It also gave Anthony a second chance—a shot not every athlete in his shoes gets.

Climbing the Ranks in the Minor Leagues

Anthony didn’t waste any time making an impact in the Phillies’ minor league system. He battled his way up to Triple-A, and his play started to draw attention.

Before an injury sidelined him, he was putting up a .400/.442/.525 slash line. Numbers like that had people wondering if a big league call-up was just around the corner.

The Legal Challenges and Social Implications

Anthony and other athletes caught up in the investigation have fired back, filing a federal lawsuit. They say geofencing tech was used against them without proper authorization, violating their civil rights.

This lawsuit has sparked heated debates about how far the NCAA should go in enforcing its rules—and where it needs to respect players’ rights.

The Tension Between NCAA Rules and Sports Betting Culture

Anthony’s situation really highlights the growing friction in college sports over gambling. The NCAA holds a hard line: no betting for student-athletes, period.

But at the same time, pro leagues and NCAA broadcast partners openly embrace gambling for the money it brings in. That double standard? It’s drawn plenty of criticism, with some calling the NCAA’s policies outdated and way too harsh for student-athletes stuck in the crossfire.

A Formative Journey Toward the Majors

Anthony’s story isn’t just about setbacks. He sees the whole ordeal as a challenge that shaped him, both as a player and as a person.

Now, he stands just one step away from chasing his big league dream. His journey? It’s a reminder that sometimes, perseverance really does matter most.

What Lies Ahead for Keaton Anthony?

Keaton Anthony keeps pushing forward in his recovery, chasing that major league dream. His story really shows how people can dig deep and keep going, even when things get rough.

He’s gone from NCAA controversy to making waves in Triple-A. That whole journey says a lot about the bigger messes in college sports—gambling scandals, tricky rules, and what student-athletes actually deserve.

Is his MLB future locked in? Not yet. But you can’t ignore what he’s done: Anthony’s shown he’s not just playing—he’s finding ways to shine, even when the odds aren’t great.

 
Here is the source article for this story: After a betting probe, an All-American went undrafted. Now he’s one step from MLB