Hokie ClubARLINGTON, Texas – Seeing their professional dreams take root during Tuesday’s final day of the 2024 MLB Draft, Virginia Tech pitcher Jordan Little and second baseman Christian Martin were chosen during the 15th and 18th rounds, respectively, rounding out the Hokies’ record-tying, five-player draft pool.
Little was taken at No. 449 overall by the Cincinnati Reds, who have now snagged four Virginia Tech players within the last eight years (Packy Naughton – 2017, Andrew McDonald – 2018, Cade Hunter – 2022). Martin was later picked up at No. 531 overall by the St. Louis Cardinals, who have also chosen four Hokies during the same timeline (Connor Coward – 2018, Chris Gerard – 2021, Christian Worley – 2023).
Combining with Monday’s trio of draft picks, Virginia Tech’s five total selections during the 2024 MLB Draft tied the program record for the most selections made during the event’s opening 20 rounds (2010, 2022, 2023) – a benchmark reflective of the draft shortening from 40 to 20 rounds in 2021. On Monday, junior third baseman Carson DeMartini was chosen at No. 130 overall (fourth round) by the Philadelphia Phillies, junior pitcher Wyatt Parliament was taken at No. 211 overall (seventh round) by the New York Yankees and senior outfielder Eddie Micheletti Jr. was picked up at No. 247 overall (eighth round) by the Toronto Blue Jays.
With Little and Martin’s selections on Tuesday, head coach John Szefc has now championed 26 MLB Draft picks at Virginia Tech since taking the reins of the program in 2018. Historically, Szefc’s four draft classes of four players or more – as achieved consecutively between 2021 and 2024 (featuring 19 selections) – are the most by a head baseball coach spanning school history.
Tracking the legacy of Virginia Tech’s 2022 NCAA Super Regional team, Martin also became the 14th player from the Hokies’ celebrated roster to have been professionally drafted or signed (12th draft pick).