(submitted photo/Logan Hofmann)

By Aaron Schulze

From Muenster to Pittsburgh?

‘It was a 50/50 chance’: Muenster’s Logan Hofmann taken by the Pirates in condensed MLB Draft

Jun 12, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Well, it’s Draft Day, again.

That was the scenario for Logan Hofmann, the right-handed pitcher from Muenster, Sask. who was selected in the fifth round (138^th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft on Thursday, June 11.

It’s the second consecutive year Hofmann was selected in the MLB Draft. In 2019, he was taken in the 35^th round by the St. Louis Cardinals after spending two seasons at Colby Community College in the junior college ranks.

The decision to return to college in 2020 – this time with Northwestern State University of Louisia in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Division I – and re-enter the MLB Draft instead of becoming a professional baseball player wasn’t easy for Hofmann.

“There are many risks involved with it [such as] getting hurt or having a bad year,” Hofmann told northeastNOW. “But I knew if I could continue to put in hard work, I could improve my stock and have a better year.”

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A better year is what Hofmann certainly had. He credited the coaches at Northwestern State who worked on mental and physical aspects of his game to get him ready for the NCAA.

In a shortened baseball season – due to the NCAA cancelling winter and spring championships in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic – Hofmann made the most of his time. In only four starts, Hofmann allowed a 0.00 earned runs average over 28 innings pitched while striking out 38 batters and only walking five. Hofmann was named a second team All American for his efforts.

“I didn’t know what to expect going into this year,” he said. “I never played Division I baseball before. I wanted to have a good year, but I didn’t think I’d be this successful to start out. I felt really good this year and I’m glad it worked out.”

One more unknown for Hofmann was the 2020 MLB Draft. Because of the pandemic, the 2020 Draft was condensed to 160 total selections over five rounds, a fraction of the 1,217 picks in the 2019 Draft Hofmann was taken in.

Hofmann said he had meetings with other teams ahead of the 2020 Draft, even talking with teams the day of the event.

“Honestly, leading into the draft, I didn’t know whether I was going to get drafted or not,” he said. “I thought it was a 50/50 chance. I was just back home with my family and we were watching it on TV. We were all excited once my name popped up. I’m glad I got the opportunity. I’m glad it was the Pirates. They’re a great organization to be starting out my career.”

The timing of his higher MLB Draft selection is unfortunate for Hofmann. Along with NCAA baseball being cancelled, both MLB and Minor League Baseball seasons are on hold right now.

“At this point, they wanted to congratulate me and let me enjoy the night with my family,” Hofmann said after his conversation with the Pirates’ front office. “The next couple of days we’ll get going on the plan ahead.”

Until a path to resuming baseball is clear, Hofmann said he’ll stay in game shape and work on his throwing and running.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow