Seymour hurls self into draft contention
Former St. John’s (Shrewsbury) star could hear name called
Almost three years after pitching St. John’s (Shrewsbury) to the Division 1A Super Eight Title, Ian Seymour is hoping to have another memorable June night.
Seymour, a left-handed starter at Virginia Tech, has a strong likelihood of being selected in this year’s abbreviated Major League Baseball Draft scheduled for June 10and11.
According to MLB.com’s prospect rankings, Seymour currently ranks as the No. 116 overall prospect heading into the draft. The MLB Draft, which typically consists of 40 rounds, was shortened to a mere five rounds in 2020 due to the ongoing economic plight Major League Baseball organizations are facing and the absence of minor league play, both stemming from the COVID19 pandemic.
“I’ve done everything that I can possibly do to be in the best position that I could be,” Seymour said. “Whatever happens, happens. I can’t get too antsy. At the same time though there is excitement. It would be a dream come true.”
Seymour was a four-year member of the varsity team at St. John’s (Shrewsbury), and had a standout senior year to lead the Pioneers to the title. Since then, Seymour’s stock has ballooned. Due in large part to increased weight training and a steady throwing program, Seymour has seen a notable uptick in velocity on his fastball. After mostly sitting in the mid to high 80s in high school, the 6-foot, 200-pound Seymour now consistently hovers in the low 90s to go with an above average change up and a quality slider.
“Throughout my career I have had five or six players where as freshman I said, ‘this kid has an opportunity to play pro baseball,’ and Ian was one of those kids,” St. John’s coach Charlie Eppinger said. “He had the right proportion of confidence, humility, natural ability, work ethic, and intelligence that the sky was the limit.”
After having quality freshman and sophomore campaigns, Seymour really began garnering scouts’ attention in the summer of 2019 during his time in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Going up against some of the top collegiate hitters in the country, he showcased an ability to get opponents out in a variety of ways. Seymour finished his time with Yarmouth-Dennis with a 2.58 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 25.1 innings.
“I have always been pretty confident I could compete with anyone, but it was never something where I felt like I was going to be a draft prospect until I got to the Cape ,” Seymour said. “Once I got there and had the success that I had there I realized, ‘I belong.’”
Now, Seymour is hoping his successful shortened junior season this past spring is enough to move him permanently into the top five rounds. Pitching on Friday nights for the Hokies, Seymour struck out 40 in 20.1 innings and had a 2.21 ERA. He is widely considered one of the top left-handed pitchers in college baseball.
“I’m focused right now on getting faster and stronger during this down time, throwing every day, and that’s where my focus is,” Seymour said.