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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

ARLINGTON, Tex. – After growing up and playing in Braves country, one of the Falcons’ finest will represent the purple and gold in the Atlanta Braves organization.

The Braves drafted Montevallo pitcher Logan Samuels in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Monday, July 15 in Arlington, Texas.

Samuels is now the highest draft pick in University of Montevallo program history after Atlanta selected the right-hander with the 251st overall pick. The previous highest selection was Rusty Greer, who was drafted in the 10th round in 1990 by the Texas Rangers.

“I couldn’t be happier or prouder for Logan,” Montevallo head baseball coach Chandler Rose said. “He’s a fantastic young man and incredible teammate. He comes from an amazing family and has tremendous work ethic. It’s been so much fun watching him develop over the past four years and we are excited to continue watching him chase his dream.”

In 14 appearances during the 2024 season, Samuels had 69 strikeouts against just 15 walks in 59.2 innings. That came after a junior season that saw him go 7-1 with 71 strikeouts.

He stands as one of the best pitchers in program history with his 190 career strikeouts ranking third all-time since Montevallo joined the NCAA. He is also in the top 10 for career wins with 15, games started with 38 and innings pitched with 180.

Sanders competed for four seasons with the Falcons and was named to the Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team in 2023 and Academic Honor Roll in 2022 and 2021.

Before playing for Montevallo, Sanders grew up in Winfield, Alabama and played at Winfield High School in Class 3A.

Of Montevallo’s 19 draft picks in program history, Sanders is the first one drafted by the Braves. In addition, Sanders is a Braves fan, as he lists Atlanta as his favorite sports team on the athletic department’s website.

Sanders is also the first Falcon drafted since Tyler Krabbe in 2019 by the Astros in the 19th round, as well as the first pitcher since Mick Fieldbinder in 1996.

“We’ve had so many incredible players partake in this tradition over the 66 years of this program’s rich history and to be the highest pick ever is an amazing and well-deserved honor,” Rose said.