Draft Night Arrival
Deven Sheerin’s name lit up the draft board on Wednesday night as the Philadelphia Phillies chose him with the 128th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The selection marks the third straight year that an LSU pitcher has been taken among the early rounds, underscoring the program’s recent pipeline to the majors.
Sheerin arrived at LSU after a standout rookie season at Mount St. Mary’s, where he earned Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year honors. After transferring to Baton Rouge, he became a key piece of the Tigers’ bullpen, posting a 3‑2 record and five saves in 37.2 innings while striking out 58 batters.
Despite a knee injury that sidelined him for much of the 2025 campaign, the right‑hander returned stronger, clocking fastballs in the 95‑100 mph range — a velocity jump of roughly three miles per hour compared with the previous season. Scouts noted the improvement as a sign of both durability and raw talent.
The Phillies’ pick also carries a projected slot value of $597,400, a figure that reflects the team’s confidence in Sheerin’s upside. He joins a draft class that includes fellow LSU alumni Derek Curiel and Jake Brown, both of whom were selected earlier in the same cycle.
Looking Ahead
With a fresh contract slot and a clear path to the minor leagues, Sheerin is expected to begin his professional debut in the Phillies’ farm system later this summer. Analysts predict that, if he can stay healthy, his fastball and strikeout ability could fast‑track him to the big‑league roster within a couple of years.