(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)Missouri Southern sophomore Tommy Stevenson was drafted by the Oakland A's, while senior pitcher Logan VanWey signed a free-agent deal with the Houston Astros as the MLB concluded its draft yesterday.
"I'm very proud of both Tommy and Logan," said head coach Bryce Darnell. "They have meant a lot to our program over the last several years. I'm excited to see this next chapter of their lives in pro ball."
Stevenson, a 6-4 catcher was drafted in the 19th round of this year's MLB Draft by the Oakland A's. He is the first person since Max Hogan (2017) to be drafted from Missouri Southern and the 16th player in history to earn the honor. Stevenson is the fifth player in head coach Bryce Darnell's tenure to be drafted.
"It was an amazing feeling getting that call and hearing my name announced," Stevenson said. "It's a dream come true to me and it's everything I've worked for paying off but there's more work to be done."
This year, Stevenson was a second-team All-MIAA pick at catcher after hitting .385 with 16 home runs, 42 RBIs, 11 doubles, 60 hits and 44 runs scored. He slugged .801, while posting a 1.285 OPS and a .484 on-base percentage. Stevenson led the MIAA in on-base percentage, while ranking second in slugging. He was second in home runs per game, and sixth in both batting average and hits per game.
"Tommy has been one of our best players since he arrived here," Darnell said. He has been a joy to coach and has been a leader on our team. Not surprised that tommy is getting this chance. He'll do great things."
Stevenson's 16 home runs this past season is tied for second-most in a single-season at Southern. His 32 career homers rank fourth in a career at MSSU. Stevenson played this summer in the prestigious Northwoods League for the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders. In 17 games, Stevenson has six hits, 11 runs scored, a home run and ten RBIs.
VanWey signed a professional contract with the Houston Astros after the draft was concluded. This year, VanWey was a unanimous first-team All-MIAA selection after going 7-3 with a 3.47 ERA. He struck out 123 batters, while walking just 25 and limited hitters to a .199 batting average. VanWey had one complete game and two shutouts on the season.
"Logan made the transition this year to be a starter and became one of the most dominant starters in our league," Darnell said. "Prior to that he was one of the most dominant closers in the league. It's not a surprise that he's adjusted well to being a starter. He was definitely impressive in both of those rolls. It would have been easy for Logan to get frustrated because he had a few rocky starts this year, but he settled in and became one of the best starters in our league. Logan's a kid that I got to see grow up and play a lot in high school and it makes it special."
VanWey led the MIAA in fewest hits allowed per nine innings, strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings, while ranking second in the MIAA in ERA, wins and WHIP, and third in starts. VanWey was fifth in Division II in strikeouts and eighth in strikeouts per nine innings. VanWey finished the season with 123 strikeouts, which trails only Zach Parish who had 136 twice. His 222 career strikeouts rank fifth all-time, while his 13.49 strikeouts per nine innings career mark is tops, as is his 76 career appearances.
VanWey played this summer with the Glacier Range Riders of the Independent Frontier League in prep of this year's Major League Baseball Draft. The Range Riders are based out of Kalispell, Montana. VanWey had nine starts and was 2-2 with 46 strikeouts in 39.1 innings pitched. He currently ranks fourth in the league in strikeouts.
"It has been a long three years of hard work preparing for this moment and a roller coaster of emotions, but getting a call and being offered a professional contract made it all worth it," VanWey said. "I knew I was always good enough and had the work ethic, and it was just a matter of time before someone else saw it."
The Astros Single-A affiliate is the Fayetteville (NC) Woodpeckers, while the A's Single-A team is the Stockton (Calif.) Ports. Stevenson will report to the A's spring training facility in Arizona.
