6-15-17
(DAHLONEGA) – University of North Georgia baseball standout Conner Hoover was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 21st round with the 633rd pick of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday. The junior shortstop from Appling becomes the third Nighthawk taken in the MLB draft in the last four years and the eighth player sent to the professional ranks by North Georgia since 2010.
The 2015 PBC Freshman of the Year, Hoover hit .361 with a .704 slugging percentage. A second-team All-Conference selection, he hit 18 home runs, which was tied for second in the PBC. He was also second in the league with 74 RBIs and ranked in the top 10 triples, total bases and on-base percentage. He also led the league in runs scored and walks.
Hoover was equally impressive in the field, leading the PBC with 183 assists at shortstop and fifth in double plays turned.
“The UNG baseball family couldn’t be happier for Connor to be drafted by the Seattle Mariners organization,” UNG head coach Tom Cantrell said. “He is the epitome of a yearly development as he grew on and off the field in his three years representing our program. We are always happy to see one of our student-athletes get an opportunity to continue playing at the professional level.”
