Things just keep getting better and better for Chris DeVito.
Just days after being named to the District VIII Player of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America, the catcher/DH was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the eighth round, 253rd overall.
Though he didn’t see any action at first base, the Royals’ organization saw a fit and drafted the power hitter at the position.
During his junior year, DeVito hit for a .375 average, hitting in 65 RBIs on 16 homeruns. The product out of Northridge, California collected 38 extra-base hits in his 2016 campaign that was shortened due to a hamstring injury during the middle of the season.
DeVito joins a long list of Lobos to be drafted, being the 93rd player from UNM to go to the show. He is the fifth player to be drafted by Kansas City and the first since 2009 when the Royals selected by Cole White.
The lefty was also named to the Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-America squad for his work in the classroom in 2016.
Liam Cary-Eaves is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Liam_CE.
