UofL OF Josh Stowers is now a member of the Seattle Mariners after being the 54th pick in the 2nd round of last night’s MLB Draft.
— Josh Stowers (@joshstowers7) June 5, 2018
What a surreal feeling! Without my Lord and Savior none of this would be possible. Also wants to say thank you to my parents, friends, and everyone who has helped me become a better player and person. I couldn’t be more excited to be apart of the Seattle Mariners organization!
— Josh Stowers (@joshstowers7) June 5, 2018
Stowers joins a long line of UofL baseball players drafted in the early rounds (there are 40 rounds in the MLB Draft); among them are Corey Ray, Brendan McKay, Nick Solak,and the Burdi brothers.
Stowers grew as a player at UofL. He went from being used as a pinch runner, pinch hitter, and occasional starter his freshman year to an everyday starter and rising star on a College World Series team his sophomore year.
As a junior this year, Stowers cemented his status as a star by becoming a heart of the order mainstay, a terror on the base paths, and an excellent defender in the outfield for Coach Dan McDonnell. While having power in his bat, Stowers was also able to hit for average. The speed he possessed was reminiscent of former Card Corey Ray.
Stowers was stellar this season batting .336 with 14 doubles, 4 triples, 9 home runs, 60 rbis, 36 stolen bases, and 72 runs scored. He also maintained a .980 fielding percentage with 146 put outs per gocards.com.
We at Cardinal Sports Zone congratulate Josh Stowers on his incredible Cardinal career and wish him the best in his Major League career.
Below is the press release from UofL regarding Josh Stowers.
Press Release from the University of Louisville Athletic Department:
Mariners Select Stowers in Second Round of 2018 MLB Draft
Junior outfielder hit .336 with nine home runs, 60 RBIs, 14 doubles and 36 stolen bases in 2018
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- University of Louisville junior outfielder Josh Stowers was selected 54th overall by the Seattle Mariners in the second round of the 2018 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Monday night.The selection marks the third straight season and the fourth time in the last five seasons the Cardinals have had a player chosen in the first two rounds of the MLB Draft.
A native of Westchester, Illinois, Stowers was an All-ACC First Team selection hitting .336 with nine home runs, 60 RBIs, 14 doubles, 72 runs scored, 52 walks and 36 stolen bases in 43 attempts this season. Stowers closed his third collegiate season by reaching base safely in 47 consecutive games, the longest streak for the Cardinals since the 2000 season. The 36 stolen bases in 2018 rank as the sixth highest single season total in school history. In his three-year career at Louisville, Stowers hit .323 with 60 stolen bases (eighth most in school history), 126 runs scored and 96 RBIs in 147 games played.
The 2018 MLB Draft continues Tuesday with rounds 3-10 starting at 1 p.m., ET, before concluding Wednesday at noon ET with rounds 11-40.
The Louisville baseball team concluded its 2018 season on Sunday night with a loss at Texas Tech in the championship round of the NCAA Lubbock Regional. The Cardinals finished with a 45-19 record overall after advancing to the final round of an NCAA Regional for the seventh straight season. Louisville also registered its seventh straight 40-win season and the 11th in 12 seasons under head coach Dan McDonnell.
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter at @UofLBaseball and on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/ulbaseball.
LOUISVILLE BASEBALL AT 2018 MLB DRAFT
- OF, Josh Stowers (Westchester, Ill./Mount Carmel HS) 2nd Round 54th Selection Seattle Mariners
