Three Lions selected in 2018 MLB Draft

HAMMOND, La. – Major League Baseball teams selected three players Wednesday from Southeastern Louisiana in the 2018 first-year player draft.

Outfielder Drew Avans, pitcher Josh Green and catcher Daniel Wasinger, all seniors, will have a chance to continue their playing careers at the professional level.

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).

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.

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.

The senior right-hander from Baton Rouge, Louisiana ranks fourth in school history with 28 hit batters in his career and 10th with an average of 2.13 walks (per 9 innings).

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.

The senior from El Paso, Texas 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 also ranks ninth.

Avans 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).

The senior from Alabaster, Alabama 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).

In addition to each of the last five seasons, Southeastern has previously churned out multiple drafts picks in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2005, 2011 and 2012.

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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