On the second day of the Major League Baseball draft, two HBCU baseball players were selected, and they will have a chance to make the journey to the big leagues.
In the 8th round, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Alabama State second baseman Randy Flores, who was a two-time all-SWAC selection for the Hornets, as well as the Most Valuable Player of the Inaugural Ken Griffey Jr. HBCU Swingman Classic last year in Seattle.
First HBCU Prospects off the Board
2️⃣ ❌ MBP HBCU All-Star
Alabama State Randy Flores
Drafted by Angels in 8️⃣th Round pic.twitter.com/KDdDpKNEpa
— Minority Baseball Prospects (@MBPTakeover) July 15, 2024
Flores hit .338 in 114 games for ASU, slugging 20 homers, driving in 98 runs while scoring 118 of his own, and stealing 68 bases.
A strong backstop from North Carolina A&T!
Welcome to KC, Canyon Brown!
🧱x🧱 pic.twitter.com/5Lt4NquvDT
— Raising Royals (@KCRoyalsPD) July 15, 2024
In the 9th round, North Carolina A&T catcher Canyon Brown was drafted by the Kansas City Royals. In three seasons with the Aggies, Brown has compiled a .292 batting average with 18 homers and 117 RBI to his credit. Brown had his best season in 2024, hitting .322 with a career-high 50 RBI and six stolen bases, earning first-team all-Coastal Athletic Association honors.