Muenster’s Logan Hofmann becomes highest-drafted Saskatchewan baseball player

Logan Hofmann bet on himself hoping to cash out big at Thursday’s Major League Baseball Draft.

The 20-year-old pitcher from Muenster, Sask. was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 35th round of the 2019 MLB Draft but opted not to sign a contract to get another year of college experience with hopes of being drafted much higher.

The risky gamble paid off on Thursday when he was drafted in the fifth round, 138th overall, by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I actually got a call two picks before saying: ‘The Pirates are going to pick you here’,” Hofmann said during an interview with The Green Zone last week.

“I waited until I saw my name on the TV to get pretty excited. I don’t know how to put it into words other than pure joy and excitement.”

Hofmann became the highest-drafted baseball player from Saskatchewan when the Pirates called his name, edging out pitcher James Avery, who was selected in the fifth round (152nd overall) of the 2005 draft by Cincinatti.

That accomplishment becomes even greater considering the MLB Draft was shortened from 40 rounds to five rounds due to COVID-19.

“Obviously I had a good start to the year and my goal was to be a top-10 rounder going into this year, and once I heard (the draft) was cut to five rounds I wasn’t too happy about it,” he said. “I kind of thought it was a 50-50 chance I’d get drafted still.”

Hofmann impressed scouts this season with zero earned runs in 28 innings pitched to go along with 38 strikeouts and five walks in his four starts before the NCAA baseball season was cut short due to the pandemic.

Hofmann made the move to Northwestern State after playing two years of junior college ball with Colby Community College.

The canceled season had Hofmann return to Muenster this summer, where he celebrated with his family on Thursday night. Proudest of all was his father, Hofmann’s coach for most of his minor career.

“He was just as excited as me. He kind of jumped up, and we were all yelling in our living room. He was pretty excited,” Hofmann said.

There are no grand plans to celebrate with health guidelines in place, so Hofmann is choosing to use this time to relax and prepare for next season.

“Right now, just kind of enjoy the time with (family),” he said. “There’s not much else I’m going to do.”