ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La. – ULM senior right-hander Keegan Curtis, who led the Warhawk pitching staff in five statistical categories, has been selected by the New York Yankees in the 22nd round (No. 667 overall) Wednesday, June 6 of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft.
 
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Curtis led the ULM pitching staff in ERA (2.88), saves (7), opponents' batting average (.203), games finished (16) and wins (3: tied with three others). His seven saves ranked fifth in the Sun Belt and tied for the fourth-highest single-season total in school history. Curtis also ranked among the team leaders in strikeouts (second with 47) and appearances (third with 20). He averaged 12.32 strikeouts per nine innings and pitched in four of ULM's five shutout victories in 2018.
 
The Mobile, Alabama, native ranks among ULM's all-time Top 10 (seventh) in appearances with 72. Curtis recorded 153 career strikeouts, including a career-best 47 in 2018.
 
"I'm really excited for Keegan being drafted today," ULM head coach Mike Federico said. "It's every boy's dream to hear his name called and have an opportunity to play professionally. Keegan has earned this opportunity, and I'm excited to see what the future has in store for him. He was a tremendous worker this year and was instrumental in helping us lay a foundation down for our future."
 
"Keegan has an electric arm," ULM pitching coach Grayson Crawford said. "With his fastball in the mid-90s along with both a curve ball and slider, those three pitches make him special. He worked extremely hard for this opportunity, and I couldn't be happier for him."
 
"This is definitely an experience that I'll never forget," Curtis said. "Today has been surreal, and it's been special to share this moment with my family.
 
"When you think about the history of the New York Yankees, you understand the responsibilities that go along with wearing the pinstripes. I'm ready and excited for this opportunity.
 
"It was a great experience to play my senior season for Coach Federico and his coaching staff," Curtis continued. "He and his coaches certainly helped enhance the image of the ULM baseball program, and I definitely saw the program make strides in his first year. I was happy to be a part of the group that laid the foundation to put ULM in a position to contend for a postseason berth. The future of this program is bright because Coach Fed and his staff are committed to helping the players get better every day – both on and off the field. They're invested in helping men grow in every aspect of their lives."