From Fulton to the Pros: ICC Baseball’s MLB Draft Selections

ICC has built a proud tradition of helping student-athletes take the next step in their baseball careers. For many, that journey has led all the way to professional baseball. ICC's draftees showcase a common path: dominate at the JUCO level, transfer to top-tier four-year programs, and catch the attention of Major League Baseball scouts. The Indians' commitment to developing versatile, all-around players has played a huge role in that success. These are some of the most recent players to come out of ICC.

2023: Will Verdung – 3B | Atlanta Braves (Round 13, Pick 399)

Will Verdung made ICC history with his power at the plate. In 2023, the All-American third baseman led the Indians in almost every major offensive category: batting .389 with 70 hits, 65 RBIs, and 15 home runs. That home run total tied the school's single-season record, putting him alongside ICC legends like Tyreque Reed and Josh Graham. Verdung's name is all over the ICC record books. He's second all-time in batting average (.401), hits (127), and RBIs (107), and he's tied for first in career home runs with 25. On the mound, he made 18 appearances with a 5–4 record. His standout play earned him NJCAA All-American honors, Region 23 recognition, and the MACCC Baseball Player of the Year award. The Atlanta Braves selected Verdung in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. 

2022: Kyle Crigger – P | Miami Marlins (Round 7, Pick 202)

A two-way star during his ICC days, Kyle Crigger is the highest draft pick in program history. He hit .319 during his time in Fulton, but his real strength came as a pitcher, where he posted a 2.83 ERA with 10 saves and helped lead the Indians to a MACJC Championship. After ICC, Crigger became the closer for Louisiana Tech, notching 16 saves and 120 strikeouts in 111 innings. The Marlins took notice and selected him in the 7th round of the 2022 Draft. Since then, Crigger has moved through the Marlins' minor league system with stops in Jupiter, Beloit, and Pensacola. 

2019: Jackson Lancaster – OF/P | Seattle Mariners (Round 38, Pick 1146)

Jackson Lancaster's journey from ICC to professional baseball is one of resilience. He starred as a two-way player, hitting .369 with 69 hits and 47 RBIs, while also striking out 47 batters in just over 26 innings on the mound. The Seattle Mariners drafted him in the 38th round in 2019, but Lancaster opted not to sign. Instead, he played at Missouri and Louisiana Tech before going to the Pioneer League, where he became a standout closer for the Ogden Raptors. His dominance there led the Tampa Bay Rays to purchase his contract in 2023. Lancaster now pitches in the Rays system, with stops in Charleston, Bowling Green, and the Florida Complex League. 

2018: Steffon Moore – P | Tampa Bay Rays (Round 26, Pick 780) and JT Salter – P | Seattle Mariners (Round 20, Pick 598)

In 2018, ICC had two pitchers drafted from the same class. Lefty Steffon Moore from West Point was an All-State pick as a freshman, finishing his two-year ICC career with 96 strikeouts in 88 innings. Right-hander JT Salter, a towering 6'8" arm from Alabama, struck out 84 batters during his sophomore season and helped lead the Indians deep into the playoffs. Both players transferred to the University of West Alabama and were drafted in 2018. Salter went to the Mariners in the 20th round and pitched for teams like the Modesto Nuts. Moore was picked by the Rays in the 26th round and played for several affiliates before transitioning to independent ball, where he became an American Association All-Star.

2017: Tyreque Reed – 1B | Texas Rangers (Round 8, Pick 254)

Few players in JUCO history have had a season like Tyreque Reed's in 2017. He hit an eye-popping .504 with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, and a .943 slugging percentage in just 47 games. Scouts loved his raw power, grading it as elite. Though committed to Mississippi State, Reed signed with the Rangers and quickly impressed in rookie ball. He later moved to the Boston Red Sox system and reached Double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs. Reed remains one of the most electrifying hitters to ever wear an ICC uniform.

2016 Delvin Zinn – SS | Chicago Cubs (Round 23, Pick 704)

Delvin Zinn hit .411 and played solid defense at shortstop, earning All-State honors and leading ICC to the playoffs. The Cubs selected him in the 23rd round, and Zinn spent six seasons in their organization, reaching Double-A and winning a league title with South Bend. In 2024, Zinn's career came full circle when he was named Director of Baseball Development and Recruiting at the South Bend Cubs' training facility. His journey from ICC standout to professional mentor is a powerful reflection of the ICC baseball culture.

From All-Americans to late-round sleepers who proved everyone wrong, ICC's baseball alumni continue to make their mark at the next level. These players not only left a legacy in Fulton—they're building one in professional baseball, too. 

ICC Baseball Players in the MLB Draft