Mariners pick Stevenson, giving UNC two straight years with players going before 2nd round

By R.L. Bynum

After two outstanding seasons at North Carolina, catcher Luke Stevenson will continue his baseball career with the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners made 6–1, 200-pound Stevenson the 35th overall pick as the third compensation balance selection between the first and second round, becoming the second Tar Heel in as many years to be picked before the second round. According to mlb.com, the pick is worth about $2.76 million.

Stevenson is the highest drafted UNC catcher since B.J. Surhoff went first overall to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985. Stevenson, a first-team All-ACC pick, is the 12th UNC player Seattle has drafted after the Mariners picked outfielder Anthony Donofrio (currently in Class A+ with Everett AquaSox) in the 10th round of the 2024 draft.

Last season, the Baltimore Orioles made center fielder Vance Honeycutt (currently in Class A+ with the Aberdeen Shorebirds) the 22nd overall pick in the first round.

The last previous time UNC had consecutive picks before the second round in the draft, which began in 1965, was when the Los Angeles Dodgers made first baseman Michael Busch (currently with the Chicago Cubs) the 31st overall pick in 2019, then the Minnesota Twins made first baseman Aaron Sabato (currently with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints) the 27th overall pick in 2020.

The other time UNC that happened in consecutive years was when the Kansas City Royals made pitcher Scott Bankhead the 16th overall pick in 1984 and the Tar Heels had three first-round picks in 1985: Surhoff, pitcher Paul Shuey (2nd overall to the Cleveland Indians) and pitcher Kyle Snyder (seventh overall to the Kansas City Royals).

Stevenson, a third-team Perfect Game All-American and the ACC Tournament MVP during his sophomore season, hit .251 with 10 doubles and 49 RBI. He led the team with 19 homers (second in the ACC) and 59 walks (first in the ACC and 7th in the country).

Stevenson threw out 35% of attempted base stealers and, in his last 18 games, teams only stole one base on two attempts.

Photo courtesy of the ACC