Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Astros pick Henderson grad McCormick
Henderson High grad, Millersville great picked by Houston
Chas McCormick’s accomplishments as a Millersville University baseball player rival any in program history. He set records, won awards, and on Wednesday, McCormick became the 11th player in school history to be selected in the MLB Amateur Draft. The Houston Astros picked McCormick in the 21st round with the 631st selection.
The PSAC’s all-time hits leader, McCormick became coach Jon Shehan’s seventh draftee and one of five Millersville positions players picked all-time. That puts him in rare company, but that’s familiar for McCormick. The West Chester Henderson alum holds Millersville career records in hits, runs, RBIs and triples. He is the only Marauder named All-PSAC East four times, is one of two Marauders to be named the PSAC East Athlete of the Year and one of only two outfielders in program history to be named All-America.
“Chas is a true competitor,” said Shehan. “He was exciting to watch. I’ve seen him save games by making a catch and slam into
“Chas is a true competitor. He was exciting to watch. I’ve seen him save games by making a catch and slam into the wall, layout parallel to the ground to make a diving catch to win a game in a regional and win multiple postseason games with walk-off hits. ” – Coach Jon Shehan
the wall, layout parallel to the ground to make a diving catch to win a game in a regional and win multiple postseason games with walk-off hits. It was never about him. He always played his heart out for the program and his teammates. Yes, he set many records, but I’ll remember him for being unbelievably clutch. There is no one I’d want up more with the game on the line.”
In the days leading up to the draft, McCormick had serious doubts he would be selected. Aside from a workout with the New York Mets a week ago, he had not heard from any team. He had been in this spot before. Following a run to the 2016 NCAA Division II Championship, McCormick received a call from the Astros, letting him know that the club was interested in selecting him with a late round pick. The call did not come...not until one year later.
“For any baseball player, it is your dream,” said McCormick. “I never thought I would get drafted. When the Astros didn’t call my name last year it really motivated me to work hard and not give up.”
McCormick’s went on to hit .384 with a .437 on base percentage, 13 doubles, nine home runs, 47 RBIs and 23 stolen bases and was named the PSAC East Athlete of the Year. He led Millersville in eight offensive categories and took the team to the NCAA Atlantic Regional for a fifth consecutive year.
McCormick shared Wednesday’s draft moment with his brother, Ryan, who was an AllPSAC East second baseman for the Marauders from 2008-11. After a routine day at work, McCormick stopped to visit Ryan
at All-Star Baseball Academy where the two stared at the computer screen, watching name after name appear.
“I honestly didn’t think it was looking good,” said McCormick. “My mind has been running, I’ve been pacing around. We sat at the computer until I saw my name pop up on the computer. Ryan jumped and said ‘no way, no way.’ I was wondering if it was true. We jumped around and I ran home to tell my parents. My mom and dad were both crying, which made me cry.”
McCormick then received a congratulatory call from Astros’ scout Zach Clark. McCormick will find out his assignment in several days.
For McCormick, Wednesday’s call was a dream come true and the result of four years of hard work and unmatched production.
“(Playing baseball at Millersville) was a lot of work, it was a wake-up call for me,” said McCormick. “As a freshman I wondered if I could do it. I talked to Ryan and told him I didn’t think I could do it. I got an opportunity to play as a freshman, and I enjoyed every moment of it. it was more than baseball, it was making relationships with your teammates. Coach Shehan kept me moving forward, kept my head on straight. He helped me understand more about life and baseball.”
“The Astros did a great job not just picking a kid with skills, but one that is a winner in every sense of the word. Chas is loved by his teammates and coaches because he would selflessly do anything to help us win. The result was an amazing individual career. It’s interesting what happens when you focus more on helping the group. The result is usually greater individual success. Thank you to Astros scout Zach Clark for taking a chance on him.”