Atlanta, GA – Major League Baseball Draft Highlights UNC Achievements
Luke Stevenson of North Carolina baseball was selected 35th overall by the Seattle Mariners, marking him as the program’s 26th first-round pick in history. His selection stands out as he is the first catcher from UNC to be taken in the first round since B.J. Surhoff in 1985. Following shortly, Kane Kepley was picked in the second round by the Chicago Cubs, marking a significant first day for the Diamond Heels at the 2025 MLB Draft.
Under head coach Scott Forbes, who has now seen two first-round picks in two years—Vance Honeycutt was the 22nd pick last year—UNC continues to make its mark in the league. The Tar Heels now boast 26 first-round selections, with 13 occurring since 2006.
Stevenson solidified his reputation as the best college catcher in the draft class after an impressive sophomore season, earning All-America and All-ACC first-team honors. His defensive prowess was evident as he threw out 35% of would-be base stealers, allowing only one successful steal against him in the last 18 games. He also stood out offensively, finishing second in the ACC with 19 home runs, the most by a UNC catcher since 2004.
Kepley, a standout in center field, led the team with a .451 on-base percentage and 45 stolen bases—ranking third in a single season for the program. Remarkably, his 27 hit-by-pitches surpassed his 22 strikeouts, showcasing his offensive tenacity.
The draft resumes Monday at 11:30 a.m., with rounds 4-20 available for streaming on MLB.com.
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