Toledo infielder, 2021 MAC Player of the Year, and All-American Chris Meyers was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 13th round of the MLB Draft on Tuesday.
“Playing for the University of Toledo these past four years has been the best time of my life,” Meyers said. “I am very thankful for the coaches, trainers, family and friends for the endless amount of support. Toledo has given me more than I could have asked for and the memories made there will be with me forever. This is definitely a dream come true and I am very excited to see what the future holds.”
Chris Meyers tied the school record with 15 home runs this past season while batting .378 and driving in 55 runs, leading the MAC in all three categories, making him the league’s first Triple Crown winner since 1998.
After being selected with the 375th pick in the draft, Meyers becomes the 47th draftee in program history. He is the first Rocket to be drafted since Ross Adolph was selected by the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
“I’m so excited and happy for Chris,” head coach Rob Reinstetle said. “Being drafted is such an honor. This is something that every kid grows up dreaming about and I’m just so proud of him. Chris is the 80th player I’ve coached or recruited who has been drafted, and he ranks right up at the top of the list. If he stays healthy, I can see him moving quickly through a minor league system and playing in the big leagues one day.”
Meyers’ 2021 season was one for the record books. He tied the school record with 15 home runs this past season while batting .378 and driving in 55 runs, leading the MAC in all three categories, making him the league’s first Triple Crown winner since 1998 (Tom Kuempel, Marshall).
Meyers also led the conference in slugging percentage (.739) and doubles (18) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.509) and third in runs scored (50). He ended the season 11th in the country in slugging and 16th in on-base percentage. An intimidating presence in the batter’s box, Meyers led the MAC in intentional walks with nine. He accumulated 39 walks in 2021, one off the school record of 40 (Andy Stetka, 2001).
“Chris has been such a vital member of our program for four years, and his 2021 season will be remembered for a long time,” Reinstetle said. “His effort on the field and in the classroom embodies what a true student-athlete is all about. Chris being drafted is also an important step for our program. It sheds light on the fact that future recruits can come to Toledo, develop and get a chance to play at the next level.”
One of Toledo’s MAC Medal of Excellence recipients, Meyers graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in marketing and was named an Academic All-MAC honoree for the third time in his career.
