The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

Newsletter Signup

Get our news delivered straight to your inbox every week.

* indicates required

Hamilton selected by Twins in MLB Draft

Pitcher+Xander+Hamilton+walks+out+to+the+field+against+UNCW+March+5%2C+2022.+Hamilton+was+selected+in+the+14th+round+by+the+Minnesota+Twins+in+the+MLB+Draft+Monday.+
Hiatt Ellis
Pitcher Xander Hamilton walks out to the field against UNCW March 5, 2022. Hamilton was selected in the 14th round by the Minnesota Twins in the MLB Draft Monday.

Senior pitcher Xander Hamilton was drafted Monday to the American League Central Division MLB team, the Minnesota Twins. Hamilton was selected with the 417th overall pick in the 14th round of the 2023 MLB First Year Player’s Draft. 

Hamilton joined App State in 2022 after transferring from Virginia Tech. He made nine relief appearances in two seasons with the Hokies before joining the Black and Gold. 

He started his career as a Mountaineer out strong, earning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week in his first season at App State. His 2022 season was cut short due to an injury. 

Despite his injury in the 2022 season, he had a record-breaking 2023 season. Hamilton set the program’s single-season strikeout record with 115 during the 2023 campaign, ranking 17th in the nation and holding opponents to a .257 batting average. Additionally, Hamilton earned an All-Sun Belt First Team selection in 2023.

Hamilton becomes the 46th App State player to be drafted by a MLB team, and the fifth under head coach Kermit Smith. He is also the first former The Performance Academy player, a North Carolina organization that works to develop amateur level baseball talent in the state, to be drafted in the MLB draft. 

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Appalachian
$1386
$5000
Contributed
Our Goal

We hope you appreciate this article! Before you move on, our student staff wanted to ask if you would consider supporting The Appalachian's award-winning journalism. We are celebrating our 90th anniversary of The Appalachian in 2024!

We receive funding from the university, which helps us to compensate our students for the work they do for The Appalachian. However, the bulk of our operational expenses — from printing and website hosting to training and entering our work into competitions — is dependent upon advertising revenue and donations. We cannot exist without the financial and educational support of our fellow departments on campus, our local and regional businesses, and donations of money and time from alumni, parents, subscribers and friends.

Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest, both on campus and within the community. From anywhere in the world, readers can access our paywall-free journalism, through our website, through our email newsletter, and through our social media channels. Our supporters help to keep us editorially independent, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone.

If you can, please consider supporting us with a financial gift from $10. We appreciate your consideration and support of student journalism at Appalachian State University. If you prefer to make a tax-deductible donation, or if you would prefer to make a recurring monthly gift, please give to The Appalachian Student News Fund through the university here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1727/cg20/form.aspx?sid=1727&gid=2&pgid=392&cid=1011&dids=418.15&bledit=1&sort=1.

About the Contributors
Sarah Kruger
Sarah Kruger, Reporter
Sarah Kruger (she/her) is a senior journalism major with a minor in chemistry. This is her second year with The Appalachian.
Hiatt Ellis
Hiatt Ellis, Associate Photo Editor
Hiatt Ellis (he/him) is a junior commercial photography major, entrepreneurship minor, from Surf City, NC. This is his third year with The Appalachian.
Donate to The Appalachian
$1386
$5000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All The Appalachian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *