News Summary
Ethan Young, a junior pitcher from East Carolina University, has been drafted in the fifth round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Young, from Harrisburg, North Carolina, finished the season with a 5-0 record and a 3.84 ERA, demonstrating his skills on the mound. This year marks another successful draft for East Carolina, continuing their legacy of producing MLB talent with Young joining prior draft selections linked to the Cardinals. As he begins his career, fans look forward to his contributions at the professional level.
Memphis – Ethan Young, a junior pitcher from East Carolina University, has been selected in the fifth round of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, marking a significant milestone in his athletic career.
Young, hailing from Harrisburg, North Carolina, is noted as the 30th draft pick under the guidance of East Carolina head coach Cliff Godwin. His performance during the past season with the Pirates has garnered attention, as he participated in 23 games and made one start. Throughout the season, Young maintained an undefeated record of 5-0 and achieved three saves, showcasing his effectiveness on the mound.
Over the course of the season, Young pitched a total of 70.1 innings and recorded an impressive 3.84 earned run average (ERA). He struck out 92 batters, placing him second on the team for both total strikeouts and strikeouts looking. In addition, he tied for second in several key statistics, including innings pitched, saves, and wins, solidifying his performance as a valuable asset to the team. Young also ranked third in ERA and fourth in games finished, while maintaining an opponent batting average of .224, demonstrating his ability to limit scoring by opposing hitters.
The selection of Ethan Young follows closely behind another success story from East Carolina, as Dixon Williams, an infielder, was chosen fourth overall by the Atlanta Braves. Williams had an outstanding season, starting 62 games at middle infield and contributing significantly to the team’s offense with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs. This makes the 2025 draft particularly notable for East Carolina, reflecting the university’s continuous production of talented baseball players.
This year marks the ninth consecutive year that prospects from the East Carolina baseball program have been drafted by a professional franchise, underscoring the institution’s commitment to developing players who excel at the collegiate level and transition successfully to professional sports. Young’s selection by the Cardinals adds to a growing list of players from East Carolina who have made their mark in Major League Baseball.
Young joins a track record of prior draft picks by the Cardinals, including Tyler Bradt, who was selected in 2023, Thomas Francisco in 2021, and Alec Burleson in 2020. This historical connection between ECU and the Cardinals signifies a continued partnership that both the university and the franchise likely value. Furthermore, over the past five MLB drafts, East Carolina has seen at least two players selected each year, indicating a consistent output of professional-grade talent.
As Young embarks on his professional career with the St. Louis Cardinals, his development and contributions will be closely followed by fans and analysts alike. His performance in the 2025 season, marked by crucial statistics and his potential on the mound, suggests that Young is well-equipped to face the challenges of Major League Baseball.
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Additional Resources
- ECU Pirates: Ethan Young Selected by St. Louis in Fifth Round of 2025 MLB Draft
- WITN: St. Louis Cardinals Draft ECU Pitcher Ethan Young
- ECU Pirates: Dixon Williams Selected by Atlanta in Fourth Round of 2025 MLB Draft
- Reflector: Williams, Young Picked in Day 2 of MLB Draft
- Wikipedia: Ethan Young (Baseball)
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
