After averaging a career-high 13.0 ppg and 8.5 rpg for the
American University men's basketball team in 2009-10, junior
Stephen Lumpkins was selected
in the 42nd round of the Major League Baseball
First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday by the Pittsburgh
Pirates.
A 6-8 left handed pitcher from Redwood City, Calif.,
Lumpkins once starred on the baseball field for Junipero Serra High
School. Lumpkins chose to attend American on a basketball
scholarship, however, and last summer made only a handful of
appearances back on the diamond playing for his local American
Legion team. This summer he drew attention from major league scouts
as a member of the Bethesda Big Train of the Cal Ripken Collegiate
Baseball League. Lumpkins has appeared in two games for the Big
Train and holds a 3.00 ERA in 3.0 innings pitched with two
strikeouts.
Lumpkins played in all 32 games for the Eagles as a
freshman, helping American to the 2009 Patriot League Championship
and a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Lumpkins
started 26 games for the Eagles this year and ranked ninth in the
Patriot League in scoring (13.0 ppg), second in rebounding (8.5
rpg) and second in blocked shots (1.5 bpg). He currently ranks
seventh all-time at American with 68 career blocks.
American last fielded a varsity baseball team in 1986.
From 1966-1983, American saw nine student-athletes drafted in the
First-Year Player Draft.
