McDermott Selected by Astros in 4th Round of the MLB Draft

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State baseball program can add Chayce McDermott to its long list of Major League Baseball draftees after he was selected by the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the MLB Draft Monday.

McDermott did not stray too far from home when he signed to play at Ball State under 17th-year head coach Rich Maloney. The 6-3 right-handed pitcher hails from Anderson, Indiana, and went to Pendleton Heights High School which is just over 20 miles from Ball State.

"Chayce has worked extremely hard in climbing a mountain to become the best he can be," Maloney said. "He has continued to get better each year and his development culminates with this year's draft selection. He has added his name to the many high draft picks we have had at Ball State. We are excited for his future and proud of his success."

The 2021 Second Team All-Mid-American Conference and ABCA (American Baseball Coaches Association) All-Region honoree found success this season on the mound, posting an 8-2 record with a 3.05 ERA. He finished the regular season fifth in the nation with 125 strikeouts while averaging 13.61 K's per nine-inning game which ranked 12th nationally.

In 15 starts, McDermott held opponents to a .204 batting average over 82.2 innings pitched and ranked eighth in the MAC with a 1.15 WHIP.

McDermott's strong arm earned him NCBWA (National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association) Player of the Week on March 30 against Toledo after he sent 13 Rockets back to the dugout via the strikeout.

The three-time MAC Pitcher of the Week, McDermott finished his Ball State career with a 12-4 record and a 3.43 ERA while making 28 total appearances. McDermott struck out 199 batters as a Cardinal and threw a total of 139 innings.

With the help of McDermott, the Cardinals finished the 2021 season with a 38-18 overall record and finished 48th in the NCAA RPI ranking.

McDermott becomes the 66th player who has been drafted under the guidance of Maloney and the 11th Cardinal taken in the top four rounds. He is the 63rd different player to be drafted for Ball State, and the program's 69th overall draft pick as six Cardinals were selected twice during their careers.

Maloney has coached six first round picks over his distinguished career, all of whom were Ball State baseball players. The list includes Bryan Bullington who was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2002 MLB Draft for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

McDermott Selected by Astros in 4th Round of the MLB Draft

Players Mentioned

Chayce McDermott

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