Two More Blackhawks Reach Professional Baseball: Schulte and Klein Selected in 2026 MLB Draft

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa 

Southeastern Community College Baseball added two more names to its growing list of professional players as former Blackhawks Kooper Schulte and Caleb Klein were selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.

Schulte was selected by the New York Mets in the 20th round (600th overall), while Klein was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round (442nd overall). Both players become the latest Blackhawks to hear their names called on baseball's biggest stage and continue Southeastern's tradition of developing student-athletes for success at the highest levels.

Both Schulte and Klein spent important portions of their collegiate careers at Southeastern Community College, where they helped lead the Blackhawks to success while developing the skills, discipline, and work ethic needed to continue their careers at the Division I and professional levels.

Schulte quickly established himself as one of the top infielders in the NJCAA during his time with the Blackhawks. He hit .317 with eight home runs, 45 RBIs and a .986 OPS, earning First Team All-Region honors and helping lead Southeastern to the NJCAA Division II World Series.

After his time at Southeastern, Schulte continued his career at the University of Iowa, where he became one of the Big Ten's top infielders before earning the opportunity to join the New York Mets organization.

Klein was a two-year contributor for the Blackhawks, appearing in 95 games while batting .315 with 109 hits, 25 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and a .497 slugging percentage. During his time at Southeastern, Klein earned First Team Iowa All-State honors in 2023 and Second Team ICCAC All-Region recognition in 2025 while helping the Blackhawks reach the NJCAA Division II World Series in both seasons.

Following his time in West Burlington, Klein transferred to Southeast Missouri State, where he continued his development and produced a standout season before being selected by the Braves.

Southeastern Head Coach Justin Schulte said seeing both former Blackhawks reach professional baseball is a reflection of their commitment to improvement and the culture they helped build within the program.

"Kooper and Caleb are tremendous examples of what can happen when talented players commit themselves to getting better every single day," Schulte said. "Both of them embraced the work, trusted the process and became leaders in our program. They earned every opportunity that has come their way, and our entire Blackhawk family couldn't be more proud of them."

For Kooper Schulte, his time at Southeastern provided the foundation and mindset that helped him continue pursuing his professional baseball dreams.

"Southeastern was one of the best decisions I ever made," Schulte said. "Coach Schulte and the coaching staff challenged me every day and taught me what it really means to work with purpose. The expectations were high, but that's what prepared me for Iowa and ultimately gave me the opportunity to chase my dream of playing professional baseball. I'll always be proud to call myself a Blackhawk."

Klein echoed those sentiments, crediting Southeastern and the Blackhawk coaching staff for helping shape him as both a player and a person.

"I'm incredibly grateful for my time at Southeastern," Klein said. "Coach Schulte believed in me and pushed me to become a better player and a better person. The work ethic and discipline I learned there have stayed with me throughout my career. Being drafted is a dream come true, and I know my time as a Blackhawk played a huge role in helping me get to this point. I'll always appreciate everything the program did for me."

The selections of Schulte and Klein continue Southeastern's tradition of preparing student-athletes for success beyond the junior college level. Since 2005, 28 former Blackhawks have gone on to sign affiliated professional baseball contracts, showcasing the program's ability to develop players and provide opportunities at the highest levels of the sport.

With the addition of Schulte and Klein, nine former Blackhawks are currently playing in affiliated professional baseball, further strengthening Southeastern's reputation as one of the premier NJCAA baseball programs in the country.

As Schulte and Klein begin their professional careers with the Mets and Braves organizations, they add another chapter to the Blackhawk legacy — one built on hard work, player development, and a commitment to helping student-athletes achieve their dreams of playing professional baseball