Strasburg, VA – Five former Express players received the opportunity of a lifetime Wednesday, with all hearing their names called in the 2018 MLB Draft. Josh Green, Michael Curry, Mo Landry, Eric White, and Drew Avans were all picked up by various teams.

Josh Green (Southeastern Louisiana) was picked in the 14th Round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Green played briefly for the Express in 2016 before leaving with arm soreness. As a SR this spring, Green moved into a weekend starter role for the Lions and proceeded to toss 91.2 IP with a 3.14 ERA. He walked only 16 and struck out 59.

Michael Curry (Univ. of Georgia) was selected in the 16th Round by the San Diego Padres. Curry also played for the 2016 VBL champion Express team and hit .305 with 33 R, 3 HR, and 19 RBI that summer. Curry had a spectacular career for the ‘Dawgs which included both a 1st Team and 2nd Team All SEC nod, along with being named a Freshman All America. As a JR this year Curry hit .322 with 44 R, 10 2B, 13 HR, and 53 RBI. He hit .314 in SEC conference games.

Mo Landry (Pearl River Community College, Univ. of Houston signee) was drafted in the 22nd Round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Landry played for the Express in 2017 and hit .318 with 8 2B, 3 HR, and 19 RBI. As a sophomore at PRCC this spring, Landry hit .392 with 51 R, 16 2B, 19 HR, and 68 RBI’s. He set both the single season and career HR marks for PRCC.

Eric White (Southern Arkansas Univ.) was chosen up by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 26th Round. White came to the Express mid-way through the summer in 2017 and proceeded to toss 15.2 IP with 20 K’s. This spring for the Muleriders, White tossed 31.2 IP with a 1.99 ERA. He had 44 K’s and held opposing hitters to a .144 BAA.

Drew Avans (Southeastern Louisiana) was drafted in the 33rd Round by the Las Angeles Dodgers. Avans was instrumental in helping the Express win championships in 2015 and 2016. Across his two-year Express career, Avans hit .278 across 198 AB’s. He tallied 34 R and 15 2B, as well as 20 stolen bases. Avans also logged 68 total IP for the Express.

The five players drafted in 2018 are the second-most Express players ever selected in a single draft, behind only the 6 former players picked in the 2013 MLB Draft (Ben Verlander, Kevin Herget, Austin Chrismon, Cam Griffin, Joe Bennie, Alex Haines). In only 8 years of existence, the Express now have a total of 21 players who have gone on to play in the Minor Leagues.