LOS ANGELES – The LMU baseball team had three players selected in the MLB Draft that took place during the MLB All-Star Break from Sunday, July 14 to Tuesday, July 16. The three players selected in the first ten rounds were the most in that range since 2015. 
 
Khadim Diaw was selected in the third round, 96th overall, by the Minnesota Twins. Diaw is something of a unicorn in the baseball world with his ability to play two high-value positions in catcher and center field. The New Jersey native was electric when he was available for the Lions in 2024, slashing .432/.500/.716 in 20 games. He followed that with a trip to the Cape Cod League where he slashed .326/.407/.348 in the premier college summer baseball league. "Khadim is one of those players you're lucky enough to coach a few times at most and I couldn't be prouder of his opportunity with the Twins," said head coach Donegal Fergus. "He has already battled so much in his young career, which shows what he has inside. I think the Twins got a future big leaguer." 
 
Diaw becomes the highest pick out of LMU since Cory Abbott was selected in the second round in 2017. He also becomes just the sixth third rounder out of LMU. 
 
Owen Hackman was selected in the ninth round, 281st overall by the Atlanta Braves. Hackman anchored the pitching staff for the Lions in 2024 as the Friday night starter throughout the season. He made seven starts where he went five innings and allowed one run or fewer, including 21 straight shutout innings in his final three starts to close out his collegiate career. 'Hack' as he is known around the Bluff, pitched to a 3.69 ERA over 75.2 innings, notching 85 strikeouts. "Owen is the epitome of what real player development can be," said Fergus. "He worked so hard through his 4 years here, weathering the ups and downs, and ultimately finding the best version of himself in the end. He was an absolute workhorse for his team, and we would have been a shell without his tenacity." 
 
Hackman's ninth round selection is only the fifth to occur in that round in Lions' history. After Diaw, Hackman's selection is the highest since 2020 when Nick Frasso was selected in the fourth round. 
 
Seamus Barrett was selected in the tenth round, 310th overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 6'7" behemoth better known as 'Moose' lit up radar guns in 2024 to the tune of 97 MPH and sees himself staying local with the Dodgers professionally. Barrett served in a hybrid role for the Lions in 2024, coming out of the bullpen, serving as an opener, and serving as a true starter. Barrett pitched to a 4.78 ERA, recorded a save, two wins, and struck out 58 batters over 43.1 innings. "Moose is one of the most genuine and earnest people you'll ever encounter, and we could not be happier for a kid to get a professional opportunity," said Fergus. "His maturation and growth over the past year was nothing short of incredible. He grew into a pro by shoring up the struggles he'd experienced previously and enhancing the talent he already possessed. He's just scratching the surface of how good he can be." 
 
Barrett's tenth round selection was the third in LMU history, joining Aaron Griffin in 2013 and Rick Allen in 1989.  
 
The Lions matched their draft total from 2023 when Diego Barrera, Jared Thomas and Merrick Baldo were all day three picks.