Natchitoches native headed to the big show
Courtesy LSU-A Sports
For the first time ever, a LSUA baseball player heard his name called in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft as junior RHP Brian Metoyer was selected in the 40th round by the New York Mets during the Draft’s final day on Wednesday. Metoyer, a Natchitoches, La. native and transfer from LSU Eunice, went 2-2 on the season with a 5.60 ERA, but really started to find his groove on the mound over the final half of the year. Over his final eight appearances, he had a 2.70 ERA and picked up the key victory on the bump over Texas A&M-Texarkana in the RRAC Tournament.
In that win over the Eagles, he stalled the TAMUT offense long enough, allowing one run over three innings of work that gave the Generals bats time to get hot in the 7-6 victory that propelled LSUA into the RRAC Tournament Finals and clinched a berth into the NAIA National Championship Tournament as well. “We cannot express how excited we are to see Brian achieve his goal,” said LSUA head coach Steven Adams, Jr. “To be drafted is a real honor and privilege and we can’t wait to watch his journey in the pros unfold, and he knows this is where the work really begins for him. This is a great, history-making moment for our program and we are glad to just be along for the ride with Brian on this momentous day for him personally and LSUA baseball.
While we will miss him next year, this is a great blessing for him and his family and we could not be happier.” Scouts who watched Metoyer throw described him as having a big, fast arm, which was key to drawing their interest. Mets fans watching Metoyer as he comes up the ranks can expect him to immediately throw a 93-94 MPH fastball that can touch 97 MPH, a breaking ball that runs 79-81 MPH with good depth, and a change-up that ranges from 86-89 MPH.
The scouts were also excited about the potential for continued growth by Metoyer, both physically and in the game of baseball. Metoyer was the sixth pick of the MLB Draft’s 40th round, pick number 1,190 overall out of 1,204 total picks used over the three day event.
He will become the second General to sign on with a MLB team, joining Mark Traylor, Jr. who signed a free agent contract with the Miami Marlins in January 2017.