Mattison, McGill taken on day two of MLB Draft

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University pitcher Tyler Mattison and catcher Liam McGill were each selected on the second day of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. Mattison was taken in the fourth round by the Detroit Tigers, while McGill was selected in the ninth round by the Atlanta Braves.

Mattison becomes the highest drafted player in program history, taken 104th overall, 30 slots higher than Kevin McAvoy in 2014. McGill was chosen with the 277th overall pick. Monday marks the first time in program history that two Bulldogs were selected in the first 10 rounds of the same MLB Draft.

Bryant has now produced 20 MLB Draft picks over the last nine seasons and 25 in program history.

Mattison put the finishing touches on one of the best pitching careers in program history this spring. He was named the Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year after going 10-3 with a 2.46 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched. Mattison struck out 95 and issued just 14 walks on the season. He finished his career with 24 victories and 233 strikeouts in 232.2 innings.

McGill spent just one season in Smithfield but it was a magical one as he led the nation in hitting (.471) and OBP (.541). He was named the NEC Player of the Year and became just the second Bulldog in program history to earn All-America citations from four different outlets. McGill posted 65 hits, nine doubles, nine home runs and 50 RBI on the season, reaching safely in all 37 games he appeared in.