Three Lion Ballplayers Drafted by MLB Teams

Three LMU Lions are a step closer to the big leagues.

Baseball players Khadim Diaw, Owen Hackman, and Seamus Barrett were chosen in the Major League Baseball draft that took place during the All-Star break from July 14-16, 2024. The three players were selected in the first 10 rounds, the most from LMU in that range since 2015. 

Donegal Fergus, head coach of the Loyola Marymount University baseball team, said, "I am so happy for these three. They worked so hard to put themselves in a position to keep chasing their dreams, and to see them get this moment is so rewarding. We talk every single day in this program about the goal of professional baseball. It's that obsession that we want our place to be known for and built on."
Diaw, selected in the third round, 96th overall, by the Minnesota Twins, is valued for his ability to play two key positions: catcher and center field. The New Jersey native hit .432 in 20 games for the Lions, which he followed with a trip to the Cape Cod League where he slashed .326 in the premier college summer baseball league. "Khadim is one of those players you're lucky enough to coach a few times at most and I couldn't be prouder of his opportunity with the Twins," said Fergus. "He has already battled so much in his young career, which shows what he has inside. I think the Twins got a future big leaguer." 
Diaw became the highest pick out of LMU since Cory Abbott was selected in the second round in 2017. He also becomes just the sixth third-rounder out of LMU. 
Hackman, selected in the ninth round, 281st overall by the Atlanta Braves, anchored the pitching staff for the Lions in 2024 as the Friday night starter throughout the season. He made seven starts where he went five innings and allowed one run or fewer, including 21 straight shutout innings in his final three starts to close out his collegiate career. "Hack" as he is known around the bluff, pitched to a 3.69 ERA over 75.2 innings, notching 85 strikeouts. "Owen is the epitome of what real player development can be," said Fergus. "He worked so hard through his four years here, weathering the ups and downs, and ultimately finding the best version of himself in the end. He was an absolute workhorse for his team, and we would have been a shell without his tenacity." 
Barrett, selected in the 10^th round, 310th overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers, is a 6-foot-7-inch behemoth better known as "Moose" who lit up radar guns in 2024 to 97 MPH and saw himself staying local with the Dodgers professionally. Barrett served in a hybrid role for the Lions in 2024, coming out of the bullpen, serving as an opener, and serving as a true starter. Barrett pitched to a 4.78 ERA, recorded a save, two wins, and struck out 58 batters over 43 1/3 innings. "Moose is one of the most genuine and earnest people you'll ever encounter, and we could not be happier for a kid to get a professional opportunity," said Fergus. "His maturation and growth over the past year was nothing short of incredible. He grew into a pro by shoring up the struggles he'd experienced previously and enhancing the talent he already possessed. He's just scratching the surface of how good he can be." 

"We want the entire country to know," said Fergus, "that if you are truly serious about chasing your big-league goals, and have real player development as your top priority, then you need to come to the bluff."