Belton selected in MLB Draft by Angels
6/11/2016 6:24:00 PM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State senior pitcher Greg Belton was selected in the 27th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Saturday afternoon.
The right-hander becomes the 54th player in Sam Houston history to be selected while extending the streak Bearkats streak of having a player drafted to 11 consecutive years. Belton also becomes the first Sam Houston player to be drafted by the Angels with Kats now having been selected by 27 of the 30 MLB teams.
“There is not another kid I could be happier for,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “He went out against so much adversity. He didn't travel to the first conference series. It was one of the greatest years I have seen by a pitcher. He is the ultimate warrior. I know he is excited. He has earned this opportunity. I think he'll make the most if it and pitch for a while.”
The Montgomery product recorded 13 saves this season, ranking second in Sam Houston history for saves in a season and 14th nationally. The Conroe High School product went 6-1 with a 3.00 ERA limiting opponents to a .201 batting average in 60 innings.
Belton was also twice named Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week, an award typically reserved for starting pitchers. In the second-to-last Sunday of the regular season, Belton tossed a combined nine innings in a pair of games at Lamar, limiting the Cardinals to a .161 average, earning the save in the opener before tossing five frames to pick up the victory in the finale.
“He's got a quality three-pitch mix,” Deggs said. “He can push the fastball to 93 and has a plus changeup and curveball. He has the right demeanor for the back of the bullpen. If given his opportunity, they'll like him. Two of the three are plus pitches.”
In three games at the Lafayette Regional, Belton tossed 5 1-3 innings pitched, permitting just two hits and no earned runs while striking out six and holding Arizona and Princeton to a .111 batting average.
“We have really good baseball players here,” Deggs said. “All the scouts understand and know that. Just look at the landscape with college baseball. There are mid-majors making their mark across the country and Sam Houston is no different.”
After transferring to Sam Houston from Angelina College, Belton shined in 2015, posting a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings as a junior. In 15 appearances, he held opponents to a .222 batting average while striking out 34.
During the last five seasons, a combined 14 Sam Houston players have been selected in the MLB Draft. With Belton's help, the Bearkats won the Southland Conference regular season and tournament championship for the first time in the same year.
“He was our team MVP,” Deggs said. “Everyone on the ballclub knows it. Without Greg, it's going to be next to impossible to do what we did. He's the best closer I've ever had.”
