Missouri State, coming off its most recent NCAA Tournament appearance, has helped produce a steady stream of MLB talent. Five former Bears have logged MLB innings through the first half of the season.

Drake Baldwin: A Star Catcher

Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves catcher, will be the starting catcher for the National League in the upcoming MLB All-Star Game. Baldwin, 25, is one of five Braves to receive an All-Star nod, spearheading an Atlanta team that currently has a three-game lead in the NL East.

Before sustaining an oblique injury in mid-May that sidelined him a month, Baldwin was hitting .303 with 13 home runs and a .931 OPS through 47 games. He is batting .255 for the season with 15 home runs and 43 RBI.

Other Notable Alumni

Jake Burger, Texas Rangers starting first baseman, is batting .246 with team-highs in both home runs (15) and RBI (53). Drew Millas, Washington Nationals catcher, has grown into a regular rotational player, batting .188 with two home runs and 11 RBI.

Pierce Johnson, Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher, has appeared in 28 games this season, logging 25 innings with a 4.32 ERA. Hayden Juenger, Toronto/Oakland pitcher, made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays before being traded to the Oakland Athletics.

Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.