Infielder Ryan Higgins hits a home run in the bottom of the second against Seton Hall at Bob Bennett Stadium on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (Vendila Yang/ The Collegian)

Fresno State infielder selected by Baltimore Orioles in MLB draft

By Jesús Cano

Jul 12, 2021

Fresno State infielder Ryan Higgins was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB draft.

This past season, Higgins had a .352 batting average, 41 RBIs and 58 hits, all team-highs for the Bulldogs. He also had 11 home runs, tied for second most on the team. Higgins walked 29 times last season, the second most in the Mountain West.

He also made starts at four different positions during the season and led the team in slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

Higgins is the 32nd taking player to be drafted in the first 10 rounds under head coach Mike Batesole — whose career spans back to 2013. Higgins is the first Fresno State player to get drafted by the Orioles since catcher Austin Wynns was selected in the tenth round in 2010.

Prior to 2019, the MLB draft consisted of 40 rounds. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was limited to five rounds in 2020. This year’s draft moved up to 20 rounds.

Higgins played high school baseball at St. Francis High School in Mountain View.

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