MLB Draft: Logan Clayton, 2018 News-Journal Player of the Year, picked by Diamondbacks

Chris Boyle, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read
New Smyrna Beach grad Logan Clayton, who won seven games for Houston in 2022, was selected in the 17th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
New Smyrna Beach grad Logan Clayton, who won seven games for Houston in 2022, was selected in the 17th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For the second day in a row, a former New Smyrna Beach High pitcher went off the board in the MLB Draft.

Logan Clayton, The News-Journal's 2018 Volusia-Flagler Player of the Year, was selected in the 17th round (No. 498 overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 6-foot-5, 188-pound right-hander went 7-4 with a 5.80 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 59 innings this spring for the University of Houston.

Dylan DeLucia, a teammate of Clayton's with the 'Cudas, heard his name called Monday — going to the Cleveland Guardians in Round 6.

More: Dylan DeLucia, New Smyrna Beach grad and College World Series hero, drafted by Guardians

Clayton waited for his phone to ring Tuesday afternoon, deep into the back half of the 20-round draft. That didn't happen; instead, he learned his destination by watching his name pop up on MLB.com's tracker.

"The past couple days have been a roller coaster. I didn't really hear from many teams personally, but my advisor said a bunch had been asking about me, including the Diamondbacks," Clayton said in a phone interview. "It happened a little different than I expected, but I'm ready to go.

"I couldn't be more thankful, and I am so proud of myself for the work I have put in."

The Arizona Diamondbacks picked Logan Clayton, The News-Journal's 2018 Baseball Player of the Year, in the 17th round of Tuesday's MLB Draft.
The Arizona Diamondbacks picked Logan Clayton, The News-Journal's 2018 Baseball Player of the Year, in the 17th round of Tuesday's MLB Draft.

Clayton intends to sign a contract with Arizona. Had he gone undrafted, he planned to transfer to reigning NAIA national champion Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Baseball America and D1Baseball listed Clayton among the top 10 draft-eligible prospects in the American Athletic Conference prior to the start of the 2022 campaign.

Clayton, 22, spent two seasons (2019-20) at North Florida, serving as the Ospreys' Opening Day starter as a sophomore. He transferred to the College of Central Florida last year, posting a 2-1 record and sporting a 4.86 ERA in 37 innings.

During his high school days, Clayton helped the 'Cudas to consecutive district championships. As a senior, he produced huge two-way numbers, batting .430 with four home runs at the plate and maintaining a 0.38 ERA on the mound.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: MLB draft: Arizona Diamondbacks select Houston pitcher, New Smyrna Beach grad Logan Clayton