Left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd became the highest draft pick in Southeast Missouri baseball history when he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft Monday.
 
A native of Danville, Illinois, Dodd is just the second SEMO player picked in the top four rounds of the MLB Draft. Fellow left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi, currently with the New York Mets, is the other (4th round, 2016).
 
The 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, Dodd wrapped up his SEMO career with a 9-2 record and 3.17 ERA in 15 starts on the mound. He combined on one shutout, struck out 120 and walked only 17 in 96.2 innings. Dodd led the OVC in strikeouts, innings, wins and games started, and ranked second in ERA. Nationally, he rated 14th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.06), 20th in strikeouts and 22nd in victories.
 
Dodd also claimed Second-Team Collegiate Baseball All-America, First-Team All-OVC and Second-Team All-American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division I South All-Region honors during his final season as a Redhawk. 
 
Of SEMO's last eight draft picks, four were selected by the Atlanta Braves. Those players include Dodd, Trenton Moses (2012), Shae Simmons (2012) and Matt Tellor (2014). 
 
For the first time, the OVC had two Top 3 picks in the same draft (Dodd, Eastern Illinois' Trey Sweeney, 1st Round). Dodd is just the 11th Top 3 Round pick in league history.