A longtime Clemson commit heard his name called early on in the MLB Draft.

RHP Blake Bryant (Citizens Christian, GA) was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday with the 31st pick overall in the Competitive Balance Round A. The slot value for that pick is in the neighborhood of $1.31M before bonus pool money.

Bryant was rated No. 61 overall by MLB.com heading into the draft, and he was the top player in the Tigers’ incoming recruiting class. He had been committed since December of 2022.

During his senior season in high school, Bryant was 10-0 with an ERA of 0.22. He struck out 121 in 64 innings. He also hit .368 with six homers and 45 RBI.

From MLB.com:

Bryant recorded one of the most dominant outings on the showcase circuit last summer, striking out all six batters he faced at East Coast Pro and concluding his day by catching likely early first-rounder Jacob Lombard looking at a 95-mph fastball. He also produced during the spring, helping Citizen Christian Academy (Douglas, Ga.) win the Georgia Independent School Association Class A championship by spinning five shutout innings in the first game of the finals. He’s extremely projectable at 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds as well as the best pitcher in Clemson’s recruiting class.

His fastball already sits at 91-94 mph and tops out at 96 with ride and armside run, and Bryant should add more velocity as he gets stronger. He utilizes two different breaking balls, a sweeping low-80s slider with the potential to become a plus pitch and an upper-70s curveball. He also displays aptitude for a fading changeup, though it’s a bit firm in the mid-80s.

Bryant generates his solid arsenal with athleticism and arm speed. His stuff and control will fluctuate at times, which is typical of a lanky high schooler who’s still developing physically, but he generally throws strikes. He has the ingredients to become a mid-rotation starter.

Photo courtesy of Dawson Powers/The Clemson Insider