Former NIACC standout Ball selected by Braves

Former NIACC standout Bryce Ball was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 24th round of the 2019 MLB Draft on Wednesday.

Ball, who prepped at Newman Catholic, is the second former NIACC player to be selected in this year's draft. Left-handed pitcher Brandon Williamson, who played this season at TCU, was selected in the second round by the Seattle Mariners.

Ball and Williamson both played for the Trojans in the 2017-18 seasons.

Ball, who played at Dallas Baptist University in 2019, led the Missouri Valley Conference in home runs (18) and RBI (54). Ball's 18 home runs rank as the fifth most in a single-season in DBU's Division I era dating back to 2004.  Ball also drew a league-high 51 walks, the third most in a single-season in Patriot Baseball's Division I history.

Ball, a first baseman/designated hitter, was named a first team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 2019.  The Patriots' designated hitter was also became the third player in school history to win national player of the week honors twice in the same season.

At NIACC, Ball hit .362 with 135 hits (7th on school's career list). Ball also accumulated 96 RBIs (11th on school's career list) and hit 22 home runs (tied for fourth on school's career list).

NIACC MLB DRAFT PICKS

2005 - Steve Salas (RHP) - 22nd round by the Los Angeles Angels

2016 - Malique Ziegler (OF) - 22nd round by the San Francisco Giants

2017 - Robbie Glendinning (SS) - 21st round by the Pittsburgh Pirates

2018 - Luke Becker (2B) - 9th round by the San Diego Padres

2018 - Evan Riefert (RHP) - 30th round by the Texas Rangers

2018 - Brandon Williamson (LHP) - 36th round by the Milwaukee Brewers

2019 - Brandon Williamson (LHP) - 2nd round by the Seattle Mariners

2019 - Bryce Ball (1B) - 24th round by the Atlanta Braves.