HICKORY, N.C. — A pair of Catawba Valley Community College baseball alumni were selected this past week during the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft.
Pitchers Ethan Young and Trace Baker were both taking during the annual draft, which was held this year at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga.
Young, a right-handed pitcher, was selected in the fifth round (150th overall pick) by the St. Louis Cardinals, making him the highest-ever draftee for the CVCC baseball program.
After setting the saves record for the Red Hawk baseball program, Young continued his four-year baseball career at East Carolina. This past spring, Young tallied a 3.84 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 70.1 innings while holding opponents to just a .224 batting average.
"It's a blessing to be in the position I am today," Young said of being selected in the MLB Draft. "I want to give a special thanks to CVCC for helping me along this journey. I made lifelong memories and friends there and some lessons you can't learn anywhere else."
Also a right-handed pitcher, Baker was taken in the 13th round of the 2025 MLB Draft (382nd overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays.
During his lone season at CVCC in 2023, Baker tallied a 7-3 record for a 1.90 ERA. He went on to continue his college baseball career at UNC Wilmington where he recorded a 2.24 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 52.1 innings, earning himself all-conference honors with the Seahawks.
"Having the opportunity to play professionally is such a blessing, and I have a ton of appreciation for all of the coaches and players that helped me during my time in Hickory," Baker said. "Choosing CVCC is one of the best decisions that I've made. I am very proud and blessed to have had the opportunity to play at such a great program and develop under great coaching. The entire staff at Catawba Valley is first class. They truly want what is best for you and are great people."
With the selections of Young and Baker, the Red Hawks now have 10 selections in the MLB Draft in program history.
Previous Red Hawks selected include Bryson Bowman (2014, Yankees), Julian Smith (2018, Dodgers), Bryce Hensley (2018, Royals), Zach Hammer (2018, Mets), Garrison Burress (2018, Diamondbacks), Charles Hall (2019, Athletics), Brett Banks (2023, Mets) and Bryson Hammer (2023, Rockies).