When the 2024 MLB draft wrapped up in July, two Eagle pitchers got the honor to hear their name called. Thomas Higgins was drafted by the Mariners in the 15th round and received a minor league contract a short time ago on July 24th. The righty pitcher had a phenomenal 2024 season where he had a 3.74 ERA in 53 innings pitched, 40 strikeouts, and a 5-2 record. For Higgins, however, Seattle's call came out of left field.
"It was very unexpected," says Higgins. "I hadn't talked to them at all this past spring and honestly, they weren't on my radar as far as teams who were going to get me. I had a few teams that said they would pick me that round, so when Seattle drafted me, I was just in shock and excited because I didn't get a call or anything like that beforehand, so it was an honest reaction because I had no idea. Me and my family were in the living room, and we were just so excited."
"It's been fun," Higgins continues about his current summer status. "We just got through draft camp and physicals, so it's been kind of slow at first. But it's just fun to get into a professional weight room and just learn from all these other guys that got drafted and the MLB players that are rehabbing down at the spring training facilities. It's juts been a crazy experience to see all of this come full circle and just be a part of something bigger."
Also getting drafted to The Show was Ben Johnson, who was selected in the 17th round by the Chicago Cubs. The Tucker, Ga. native threw 59 innings with 57 punchouts, a 5-3 record, and two saves to his name in 2024 for the Eagles. For Johnson, though, his transition into pro ball has also been one met with gratitude.
"It was awesome," says Johnson about his draft day experience. "I actually was texting Higgins who got drafted a few rounds earlier at the time and congratulating him. But I was on the lookout for certain teams or series of picks and I was sitting in the living room with both my parents when I got a call from the Cubs scout I knew. After I got off the phone, we refreshed the draft ticker until it got to the Cubs pick, we saw my name, and we were just elated. I hugged my Mom and all that and it was just awesome."
"Here, it's the same game," says Johnson about the level up into pro ball. "But it's obviously a lot different in that there's tons of development into the players, you know there's no school to worry about and it was tough for me to balance ball and getting my degree in Biology. But here, your job is baseball and getting your body right, so it's easier in that there's higher stakes obviously, but there's less distractions."
Along with the two draftees, a plethora of Eagles got to hone their skills in different summer ball leagues around the country before reporting back to campus.
Appalachian League
After playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks last season for his freshman year, Jevarra Martin had the opportunity to play in the Appalachian League during the summer before committing to be an Eagle in early August. As a pitcher for the Kingsport Axmen, Martin started on the mound for seven games and finished with an even 2-2 record. Along with 26 strikeouts, Martin only gave up 16 earned runs and just a singular home run in 29.2 innings on the rubber.
Cape Cod League:
After a breakout 2024 season, the now Junior Josh Tate sharpened his skills as a member of the Hyannis Harbor Hawks this summer in the Cape Cod League. Similarly to the Eagles' last season for Tate, he also constantly shifted positions in Hyannis, playing all three outfielder roles during his 21 games played. In that stretch, the Eagles' lead-off man averaged .294 at the dish, along with ten RBIs, 14 runs, and seven stolen bags.
Coastal Plains League
After missing all of last season due to injury, Will Robbins got his feet wet again as a member of the Macon Bacon in the Coastal Plains League. The senior appeared in 10 games on the mound, compiling an even 2-2 record and a 7.17 ERA. In 21.1 innings for the Bacon, Robbins had a 23 to nine K/BB ratio and did not give up a single long ball.
Also a member of the Macon Bacon, Brady Pendley threw alongside Robbins as the junior made seven appearances that included one start and two saves. The 6'1 righty also collected a 2.93 ERA while only giving up five runs, 29 punchouts, and only six walks in 15.1 innings on the mound.
Before getting his second season underway as an Eagle, Landry Mead played for the Lexington County Blowfish where he appeared in seven games and started in one. The now-senior had a 2.62 ERA in 24 innings pitched, along with giving up seven earned runs, a 19-to-five K/BB ratio, and a 3-0 record during his time as a Blowfish.
Sunbelt League
Redshirt-freshman catcher Daegan Strickland mainly saw time on the mound with the Gainesville GolDiggers in the Sunbelt League. There, he appeared in five games where he struck out seven and walked three in 7.1 innings of work.
New to the Eagles is Brady Owens, a left-handed pitcher and a transfer from Ball State. During the summer, he spent his time with the Cartersville Cannons of the Sunbelt League where he started on the mound for six of his seven appearances. In 29.2 innings of work, Owens struck out 39 batters while only allowing ten earned runs and finishing with a 2-2 record.
Valley Baseball League
Finally, redshirt freshman Eli Lamb took his talents to the Staunton Braves where he appeared in eight games, starting in six. Recording a 6.18 ERA, Lamb pitched in 16 innings where he struck out 12 and gave up eleven runs.
