Ex-LSU Eunice slugger Vaz drafted by Royals in 14th round of MLB Draft

EUNICE, La. – Former LSU Eunice star Javier Vaz became the latest Bengal to have his name called by the pros as the Kansas City Royals drafted Vaz in the 15th round on the final day of the 2022 MLB Draft.

Vaz is the 59th LSUE baseball student-athlete drafted by a Major League franchise. He will join former teammate River Town in the Kansas City organization as Town was picked by the Royals in the 15th round of last year’s draft out of Dallas Baptist.

The son of LSUE baseball assistant Roberto Vaz, Javier has spent the last two years at Vanderbilt University including helping lead the Commodores to the 2021 NCAA College World Series Championship Series. The outfielder was inserted into the starting lineup during the SEC Tournament, becoming an everyday starter during Vandy’s postseason run.

Over the last two seasons, Vaz has seen action in 74 games, producing a .271 batting average with 30 runs batted in, 24 runs five home runs and 16 stolen bases. He will have a decision to make as Javier has one more year of NCAA eligibility.

He is currently playing with the Brewster Whitecaps in the prestigious Cape Cod Summer League in Massachusetts.

At LSU Eunice, Vaz started 75 of the 77 games he saw time in on the Cajun Prairie. Playing in both the infield and outfield, Vaz produced a .364 batting average with 52 RBIs, 96 runs, 24 extra base hits, three home runs and 46 stolen bases. His sophomore campaign was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic as he was a key cog in LSUE’s 21-0 team that was ranked number one in the nation.