ECU’s McCrystal drafted by Cincinnati Reds in 9th round of 2024 MLB Draft

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — A third ECU Pirate player was taken off the board in the 2024 MLB Draft as Ryan McCrystal was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth round Monday.

McCrystal enjoyed a breakout 2024 season in the Purple and Gold, starting 35 games as ECU’s designated hitter and 16 at catcher. He hit .346 (65-for-188) with 26 runs scored, 10 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 39 RBI, 98 total bases, 16 walks and two stolen bases on the way to All-American Athletic Conference Second Team honors.

McCrystal then went 8-for-18 (.444) in the AAC Tournament before registering a team-best .417 (10-for-24) batting average in the NCAA Greenville Regional to earn a spot on the All-Regional Team.

As a freshman, McCrystal was part of a Pirate squad that won the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and the NCAA Greenville Regional before hosting Texas in the NCAA Greenville Super Regional.

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