The dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player has become closer to reality for Saskatchewan pitcher Logan Hofmann.
The Muenster native was selected 138th overall in the 5th round of the 2020 MLB draft Thursday night, by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hofmann joined the Sports Cage with Derek Taylor on Friday to discuss how it felt to see his name called.
“It’s a dream come true, I’ve always wanted to play pro baseball and make it to the big leagues,” said Hofmann. “This is the next step in getting there.”
Pitching for Northwestern State this past spring, Hofmann went 4-0 with no earned runs, striking out 38 batters with 5 walks in 28 innings. His efforts saw him selected as a second-team All-American.
Despite his brilliant stat line, Hoffman said he was surprised that he was drafted.
“I found out actually two picks before the Pirates, my advisor called me and said ‘the Pirates are going to pick you here in two picks’, and I was like ‘okay I won’t really believe it until I see it on the TV,” said Hofmann. “Once I saw my name on the TV, it’s hard to explain, but it was just pure joy and excitement.”
Hofmann was drafted in the 35th round of the 2019 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, but instead of signing with the team, he decided to take a risk and go back to school.
“I chose to go back to school for another year to try and up my stock, I went to Northwestern State in Louisiana for the year, and they helped me immensely with my development, both physically and mentally,” said Hofmann. “That’s how I went a lot higher this year.”
Hofmann told DT that, growing up playing for the Muenster Red Sox, he played shortstop and idolized Yankees great, Derek Jeter. Hofmann cited Jeter as the reason for him wearing #2.
Logan said that while it will be a tough road ahead, he is looking forward to it.
