Downer Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th Round
7/16/2024 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
RIVERSIDE--- Brandon Downer became the 41st Lancer to be drafted in the MLB First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday afternoon after being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round as the 399th overall pick. Downer becomes the ninth-highest pick in CBU draft history, the 26th pitcher drafted from the program, and the 30th player drafted under head coach Gary Adcock. The lone 2024 pick is historical for the CBU Baseball program as Downer is the first Lancer to be drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.
The right-handed pitcher strung together a consistent year from the mound and was a reliable starter for the Lancers this season. Downer tallied 15 starts and 16 appearances, ending his junior year with a 4.35 ERA across 82.2 innings. He collected a 6-6 record with 63 strikeouts from the hill.
Bengard has been a part of the CBU baseball program for the last three seasons and has amassed a career ERA of 5.61. Over his 54 appearances in a Lancer jersey, the Southern California Native has earned 13 wins across 181.1 innings pitched and struck out 153 batters. He came up big at the 2024 WAC Tournament after going four innings against Utah Valley that ultimately helped the Lancers secure a trip to the tournament championship. Downer led the CBU Pitching Staff this season in innings pitched, showing off his endurance through the nearly 40-win season, and boasted the lowest opposing batting average at .247 of the three consistent Lancer starters.
CBU'S IMPRESSIVE HISTORY
California Baptist currently has seven alum playing professional baseball within the MiLB and one presently playing with an MLB squad. Tyson Miller became the second Lancer to appear in an MLB game when he started on the mound for the Chicago Cubs in 2020 and currently resides with the Cubs as a reliever, boasting a 2.29 ERA.
Miller is the highest draft pick in California Baptist history after he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fourth round as the 134th overall pick in 2016. The most recent draftee from the 2023 draft was Spencer Bengard, who penned a contract with the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round as the 447th overall pick. Liam Rocha signed a free-agent deal with the Twins as well last season.
In 13 of the last 14 years, at least one Lancer has been selected in the MLB Draft. The only exception was during the 2020 pandemic when the MLB Draft was reduced to five rounds, but CBU did see one of its recruits drafted in the fifth round at 158th overall.
