SWANSEA – A Swansea native and Belleville East High School grad Evan Gray earned congratulations on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, as he became the first Alton River Dragons player to be selected in the Major League Draft.
Alton River Dragons General Manager Dallas Martz said: “Huge congrats to Evan Gray! Our very own 2023 Alton River Dragon has been selected in the MLB Draft, making history as the first River Dragon to achieve this honor. Your hard work and dedication have paid off, Evan. We’re incredibly proud of you!”
Gray, a 6-foot-4, right-handed fireballer, was a member of the St. Louis Billikens baseball squad in 2023. He is a mechanical engineering major and previously attended the University of Arkansas.
At Belleville East High School, Evan was rated as the No. 2 right-handed pitcher and the No. 7 overall prospect in the state of Illinois by Perfect Game
He also played for the St. Louis Pirates 17U Select/Elite Baseball Training squad. Transferred to Saint Louis University from the University of Arkansas prior to the 2023 season
2023 • Sophomore
- Saw action out of the bullpen in 10 contests during the 2023 season
- Compiled a win-loss record of 1-1 in additional to his one save
- Pitched a season-high 4.2 innings in relief against George Mason in the A-10 championship on May 27
- Tallied a season-high three strikeouts against the Patriots as well (May 27)
2022 • Sophomore (Arkansas)
- Appeared in three games for the Razorbacks
- Struck out three across 1.2 innings
2021 • Freshman (Arkansas)
- Made six appearances out of the bullpen, recording a 5.06 ERA in 5.1 innings
- Struck out four on the year, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks
- Collegiate debut came against SEMO (Feb. 25), striking out one in a scoreless inning of work
- Racked up a season-high two strikeouts in an inning against Murray State (March 7)
- Twirled a perfect frame in relief against Memphis (March 24)
- Member of an Arkansas pitching staff that set a school record with 657 strikeouts in 2021
