HBCU sees highest MLB Draft pick since 1975

Courtesy of NC A&T Athletics

GREENSBORO – The Kansas City Royals made North Carolina A&T catcher Canyon Brown the 257th overall pick in Monday’s ninth round of the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. The Royals drafted Brown a year after the Miami Marlins took his former HBCU teammate, right-handed pitcher Xavier Meachem, in the 10th round with the 293rd overall pick.

Brown is the highest A&T draft pick since the San Diego Padres drafted College Baseball Hall of Famer Al Holland with the 81st overall pick in the fourth round in 1975. Brown joins Holland and Lloyd Lightfoot as the only three North Carolina A&T Aggies selected in a single-digit round. Lightfoot went in the third round of the 1969 draft with the 70th overall selection.

Brown’s unique skills, particularly his excellent arm behind the plate, made him a standout for major league teams. His impressive 47.4 percent rate of catching base stealers, with 27 runners caught, earned him a reputation for controlling the opponent’s running game. His performance at the MLB Draft Combine further solidified his standing in the draft, showcasing his above-average arm and an ability to effectively receive pitches.

Some of the concerns came in his ability to be an offensive threat despite Brown having a career year where he batted .310 with six home runs, 49 RBIs, 12 doubles, three triples with a .414 on-base percentage and a .492 slugging percentage. His batting average, RBIs, doubles, triples, on-base percentage and slugging percentage were career highs as he earned first-team All-Coastal Athletic Association honors.

The Aggies have had 22 HBCU baseball players drafted to the MLB during its baseball program history. Canyon Brown is the fourth Hall recruit drafted since he took over the program during the 2015 season. Brown joins Meachem, RHP Leon Hunter and RHP Cutter Dyals as MLB draft picks under Hall.

“I am extremely excited to see Canyon drafted on the second day of the MLB Draft,” said Hall. “It is a dream realized, and I’m so proud of all the work he put in to make this happen. Canyon is a true testament to a player who set a goal, put the work in, stayed true to his commitments, developed, and earned this opportunity. He will be a high-level professional; the Royals got a complete player.”

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