Catcher Luke Stevenson, who has shone during his two seasons at North Carolina, is set to take his talents to the Major Leagues with the Seattle Mariners. Selected as the 35th overall pick in the MLB draft, Stevenson is the second Tar Heel in as many years to be drafted before the second round, following Vance Honeycutt’s pick by the Baltimore Orioles last season.
At 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 200 pounds, Stevenson has become a significant prospect, with his selection valued at approximately $2.76 million according to mlb.com. Notably, he is the highest-drafted catcher from UNC since B.J. Surhoff, who was the first overall pick in 1985.
Stevenson earned recognition as a first-team All-ACC selection and made a name for himself as a standout player during the ACC Tournament, where he was named MVP. Over his last season, he posted a batting average of .251, hitting 19 home runs — ranking second in the ACC — and driving in 49 RBIs. His keen eye for the plate also led to 59 walks, ranking first in the ACC and seventh nationally.
In terms of defense, Stevenson has proven to be a formidable catcher, successfully throwing out 35% of would-be base stealers and limiting opponents to just one successful steal in his last 18 games.
With the Mariners adding another talent to their roster, Stevenson is poised to make an impact in the professional arena, fueling hopes for continued success both for him personally and for the Mariners. This positive trajectory reinforces the notion that UNC is a breeding ground for talent, as evidenced by recent draft picks and the historical success of its players in the MLB.