The University of Memphis baseball program continues to shine on the national stage, with current stars and alumni making headlines across the country in 2025.
Most recently, right-handed pitcher James Smith IV was selected by the New York Mets in the 14th round of the 2025 MLB Draft as the 433rd overall pick. Smith made a major impact in his lone season as a Tiger, showcasing his talent as a two-way player. In addition to his efforts on the mound, he also delivered at the plate and in center field—batting .277 with 12 extra-base hits and eight stolen bases in just 29 games. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on the 2025 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List in April.
Smith becomes the 84th draft pick in Memphis baseball history and the first since pitchers Dalton Fowler and Dalton Kendrick were selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. His selection reinforces Memphis’ growing reputation as a program developing next-level talent.
While Smith looks ahead to his professional career, another Tiger alum is already making waves in the majors. Hunter Goodman, a Memphis native and catcher for the Colorado Rockies, was named to the 2025 MLB All-Star Team—marking the first All-Star selection of his career.
Goodman becomes just the third Memphis Tiger in history to reach MLB All-Star status, joining legends Charlie Lea and Dan Uggla. In his third season with the Rockies, Goodman has already hit 16 home runs and holds a .281 batting average, solidifying his place among baseball’s rising stars. During his collegiate career with the Tigers, he blasted 42 home runs and posted a .323 batting average. He also made history as the first Memphis player ever named an All-American as a freshman.
Also representing the Memphis area on baseball’s biggest stage is Germantown native Brent Rooker, who earned his second All-Star nod this season as the Oakland Athletics’ right fielder. Rooker, who starred at Evangelical Christian and Mississippi State, has 18 home runs and a .271 batting average so far in 2025. At Mississippi State, Rooker was named All-SEC and Conference Player of the Year in 2017, finishing his college career with a .350 batting average and 37 homers.
From promising young draftees to All-Star standouts, Memphis continues to build its reputation as a breeding ground for baseball greatness—both on campus at the University of Memphis and across the broader 901. The Tiger legacy is thriving, and the future looks bright for Memphis baseball.
