NJCAA Alumni Selected in the 2023 MLB Draft
Charlotte, NC - The 2023 MLB Draft took place from July 9-11 in Seattle, WA. The NJCAA is highlighting some notable alumni that continued their success to the professional ranks, including more than 95 former student-athletes.
Every Major League team selected at least one former NJCAA student-athlete with more than 35 being selected directly from an NJCAA institution. The Cincinnati Reds selected the most alumni with six: Hunter Hollan (San Jacinto, TX) in the third round pick #74, Simon Miller (LSU-Eunice, LA) in the twelfth round pick #348, Cody Adcock (Crowder, MO) in the thirteenth round pick #378, JeanPierre Ortiz (Chipola, FL) in the seventeenth round pick #498, Drew Pestka (John A. Logan, IL) in the eighteenth round pick #528, and Herick Hernandez (Miami Dade, FL) in the nineteenth round pick #558.
Former Eastern Florida State pitcher Andrew Walters was the first former NJCAA student-athlete selected when the Cleveland Guardians picked him in the Competitive Balance Round B pick #62. Walters pitched for the Titans during the shortened 2020 season and completed 18 innings with 26 strikeouts and a 2.00 ERA. Andrew then moved on to play three seasons at Miami (FL) where he finished his career with the Hurricanes with 102 innings pitched and an ERA of 1.25.
San Jacinto (TX) continued to bolster the list of former players selected in the draft with three former players selected. Hunter Hollan and Sabin Ceballos were both picked in the third round. Hollan, a former starting pitcher at San Jac, played for two seasons with 34 appearances, a record of 19-6 with an ERA of 3.34, and 200 strikeouts. Hunter competed in the 2022 NJCAA DI Baseball World Series where he was awarded the Tilman M. Bishop Sportsmanship Award and moved on to compete for Arkansas. The Southpaw made 15 starts for an 8-2 record with an ERA of 4.13 and 74 strikeouts. Hollan was selected in the third round pick #74 by the Cincinnati Reds.
Former infielder Sabin Ceballos was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round pick #94. Ceballos also competed for San Jac for two seasons making two appearances in the NJCAA DI Baseball World Series. Sabin was selected as a part of the All-Tournament Team and claimed the Jay Tolman Outstanding Defensive Player Award at the 2021 World Series. During his two seasons, Ceballos batted .341 with 17 home runs, six triples, 28 doubles, 102 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. Sabin then transferred to Oregon where the success continued and was awarded First Team All-Pac 12 conference and ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove Team.
Former Walters State outfielder Cam Fisher was selected by the defending World Series Champions, the Houston Astros, in the fourth round pick #131. Fisher competed for one season with the Senators finishing with a .321 average with 12 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. Cam helped lead Walters State to an NJCAA DI Baseball World Series appearance and a 61-7 record. Fisher then went on to play for UNC Charlotte for two seasons where he hit .318 with 48 home runs and 126 RBIs. Cam hit 30 home runs in his final season with the 49ers which is a school record and ties the C-USA single-season record.
Gulf Coast State (FL) pitcher Christian Oppor was the first NJCAA student-athlete directly selected when the Chicago White Sox picked him in the fifth round pick #152. Oppor made 12 starts for the Commodores, finishing with a 3-5 record with 76 strikeouts and an ERA of 6.24.
Niagara County (NY) pitcher Ryan Birchard was selected in the fifth round, three picks after Oppor, by the Milwaukee Brewers with pick #155. Birchard played two seasons with the Thunderwolves making 20 appearances and finishing with a 14-1 record with 171 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.48. Ryan was selected as an NJCAA DIII First Team All-American in 2023 and led Niagara County to two consecutive NJCAA DIII Baseball World Series.
