Lions draftees sign professional baseball contracts

HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana baseball players Drew Avans, Josh Green and Daniel Wasinger carry on a proud tradition of representing the Lions in professional baseball, signing contracts to play for the organizations they were selected by in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft.

Green was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 14th round (429 overall). Wasinger was selected in the 31st round (939 overall), also by the Diamondbacks. Avans was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 33rd round (1004 overall).

A senior right-hander from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Green was assigned to the Hillsboro (Ore.) Hops of the Single-A Northwest League (short season).

Green finished the 2018 season with a 6-6 won-loss record and a 3.14 ERA in 81.2 innings pitched. Pitching to soft contact, Green struck out 59 batters and issued just 16 walks. He led Southeastern in games started and innings pitched, ranking ninth in the Southland in ERA.

A senior catcher from El Paso, Texas, Wasinger was assigned to the Diamondbacks’ squad in the rookie-level Arizona League.

Wasinger hit .252 with five home runs and 25 RBI, serving as the Lions’ primary catcher during the 2018 season. His .380 on-base percentage ranked fourth on the team among regular starters. He threw out 15-of-32 runners attempting to steal (46.8%) this season, ranking ninth in program history, and the 25 runners thrown out in his Lion career ranks ninth.

A senior from Alabaster, Alabama, Avans was initially assigned to the Dodgers’ squad in the rookie-level Arizona League but was recently promoted to the Ogden (Utah) Raptors of the rookie-level Pioneer League.

He hit a career-high .330 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI, playing strictly in the outfield for the first time. He led the Southland Conference in walks (44) and stolen bases (23), earning first team All-Conference honors. Avans ranked third in both slugging (.568) and on-base percentage (.462), and fourth in runs scored (52).

Avans leaves the program ranked in the Top 10 of four career offensive categories. He ranks fourth in both stolen bases (64) and walks (109), seventh in OBP (.437) and 10th in triples (6).
Fifteen Lions have been drafted in the Matt Riser era. The trio join pitcher Andro Čutura (Twins, 2014), outfielder Andrew Godbold (Dodgers, 2014), pitcher Jake Johnson (Red, 2015), pitcher Kyle Keller (Marlins, 2015), pitcher Tate Scioneaux (Pirates, 2015), infielder Jameson Fisher (White Sox, 2016), pitcher Kyle Cedotal (Rockies, 2016), pitcher Domenick Carlini (Twins, 2016), pitcher Pat Cashman (White Sox, 2016), infielder Carson Crites (Twins, 2017) and pitcher Mac Sceroler twice (Phillies, 2016; Reds, 2017).

The 2018 draft class is the second largest in program history, equaling the 1988, 1993, 1996 and 2015 classes. Southeastern’s largest draft included five players in 2016.
DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the Southeastern baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. S Club members also gain membership in the Diamond Club.

All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA LIONS IN AFFILIATED LEAGUES
Player Pro Team Level MLB Organization
Drew Avans Ogden (Utah) Raptors R Los Angeles Dodgers (NL)
Andro Čutura Fort Myers (Fla.) Miracle A Minnesota Twins (AL)
Jameson Fisher Birmingham (Ala.) Barons AA Chicago White Sox (AL)
Josh Green Hillsboro (Ore.) Hops A Arizona Diamondbacks (NL)
Kyle Keller Jacksonville (Fla.) Jumbo Shrimp AA Miami Marlins (NL)
Wade Miley Milwaukee (Wis.) Brewers MLB Milwaukee Brewers (NL)
Mac Sceroler Billings (Mont.) Mustangs R Cincinnati Reds (NL)
Tate Scioneaux Altoona (Pa.) Curve AA Pittsburgh Pirates (NL)
Daniel Wasinger AZL D-Backs R Arizona Diamondbacks (NL)