SAINT LEO, Fla. – Seniors Jimmy Burnette and Sam Crail were two of just 32 NCAA Division II student-athletes to be selected to participate in the inaugural MLB Draft League. The two will have increased exposure to MLB scouts this summer as they continue to refine their skills.
 
Operating very much like the schedule Major League Baseball players work in, the MLB Draft League schedule will consist of six games per week after the opening stretch of 14 consecutive dates through June 7. In its entirety, there will be 68 games, 34 home and away, for each club. The championship game is scheduled to be played on August 15.
 
Per the official site of the MLB Draft League: Draft League participants will receive unprecedented visibility to MLB Club scouts through both in-person observation and state-of-the-art scouting technology and educational programming designed to prepare them for careers as professional athletes.
 
Both Crail and Burnette were selected to be a part of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in Niles, Ohio. The Scrappers are currently 2-0 this season.
 
There are currently six teams in the MLB Draft League including the Scrappers, State College Spikes, West Virginia Black Bears, Williamsport Crosscutters, Trenton Thunder, and the Frederick Keys.
 
Crail played in and started 25 games for the Lions this past season while posting a .290 batting average. He drove in 20 runs off of seven doubles, a triple, and two home runs. He scored 19 times and drew 13 walks. He had a team-best 11 stolen bases on 14 attempts. Prior to joining the Lions, Crail spent two seasons at Indiana University where he was a regular contributor including starting 18 games as a sophomore.
 
Burnette led the Saint Leo pitching staff in 2021 earning a team-best three victories while throwing a pair of complete game performances. He struck out 53 while walking 20 in 45 innings of action. He finished with a 5.80 ERA and a 3-5 record in eight starts. Prior to joining the Lions, Burnette spent three seasons at the University of Illinois where he was named a top-20 MLB Draft prospect out of the Big Ten as a junior.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo baseball team be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
Keeping Our Lions Healthy & Safe
Saint Leo University Athletics is keeping our student-athletes healthy and safe by following a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes having student-athletes tested or screened on a regular basis, traveling in smaller groups, limiting the number of fans in attendance, avoiding overnight trips, and wearing masks when not competing. These safety standards meet those set by the NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference President's Council. At Saint Leo University, the COVID-19 Incident Command Team also reviews the teams' safety protocol and monitors adherence on a regular basis.