A Milestone for ACU Baseball
The Boston Red Sox announced today that left‑handed pitcher Brett Lanman has been chosen with the 172nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, marking a significant milestone for both the player and Abilene Christian University.
Lanman capped a standout college career that placed him at the top of the program’s historical leaderboards, holding the school record for career victories while ranking second in strikeouts. Over 46 appearances and 45 starts, he posted a 15‑10 record with a 5.02 earned run average, fanning 239 batters in 215 innings while walking just 97.
His dominance was on full display during the 2025 season, when he helped the Wildcats to a 34‑23 record and a share of the Western Athletic Conference regular‑season title. That year he ranked third in the conference with 76 strikeouts, posted a 1.40 WHIP and delivered three double‑digit strikeout outings, earning him the WAC Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.
The Red Sox now look to integrate Lanman into their development pipeline, hoping his proven ability to command the strike zone and generate swing‑and‑miss will translate quickly to the professional level. His signing also underscores the growing pipeline of talent emerging from Abilene Christian, a program that has produced ten pitchers drafted or signed by MLB clubs in the past four seasons.
Beyond the personal accolades, Lanman’s ascent reflects the increasing competitiveness of the Western Athletic Conference and highlights the scouting networks that continue to uncover hidden gems across the nation. As he prepares to sign his first professional contract, the baseball community will be watching closely to see how the left‑hander adapts to the rigors of minor‑league play.