As the 2025 MLB Draft approaches, scheduled to commence on July 7, 2025, two players from East Carolina University (ECU) are poised to make their mark. In a tradition that has become a hallmark of the program, Dixon Williams and Ethan Young are preparing for the possibility of being drafted, continuing a streak of nine consecutive years in which ECU has produced MLB draft picks.
For Dixon Williams, the journey has been a familiar one. This third-year infielder previously earned recognition as the state player of the year while playing at nearby D.H. Conley. Although he considered entering the draft after high school, Williams opted to join ECU’s baseball program under the guidance of head coach Cliff Godwin. Reflecting on his decision, Williams stated, “I don’t think I’d be playing professional baseball if I didn’t come here, just because of the mental attitude that Godwin and the staff have built.”
During the 2025 season, Williams proved his potential, batting just under .300 and leading the American Athletic Conference (AAC) with 49 walks. He also ranked among the top three in runs scored with 61 and posted an impressive on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.012. His power numbers were noteworthy as well, with a career-high 14 home runs and 51 RBIs. Defensively, he excelled with 143 assists and a fielding percentage of .958, attracting interest from several Major League Baseball teams, including the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees.
Williams is not alone in his pursuit of a professional career. Ethan Young, a right-handed pitcher standing at 6-foot-3, has taken a more unconventional path. Initially overlooked by college scouts during his high school years, Young pitched at Hillsboro Community College and Catawba Community College before transferring to ECU. “That’s what sets me apart from a lot of other guys at my level,” Young explained. “I’ve had to prove my worth to get to this level.”
Making the transition to Division I baseball was a significant challenge for Young, but he found the experience rewarding. He notched 92 strikeouts during the season, maintained a 3.84 ERA, and limited opponents to a .224 batting average, placing him among the top ten pitchers in the AAC. His performance caught the attention of professional scouts, leading to an invitation to this year’s MLB Draft Combine in Arizona.
While at the combine, Young participated in workouts with fellow prospects and completed nearly 10 interviews with various MLB teams, including the Padres, Kansas City Royals, and New York Mets. In his discussions with scouts, he expressed his readiness to pitch in any situation, stating, “It doesn’t really matter to me. I just want the ball.”
Both players are now eagerly awaiting the draft, hoping to join the ranks of ECU alumni who have successfully transitioned to professional baseball. The Pirates have had at least two players selected in each of the last four drafts, creating a supportive environment for current prospects. “It’s just really cool seeing those guys come back and train, picking their brains, and learning from their experiences,” Williams added.
The draft will begin at 18:00 local time, with the first three rounds broadcast live on MLB Network and ESPN. Rounds four through twenty will continue on July 8, streamed online. As Williams and Young tune in with family and friends, they remain hopeful that their hard work and dedication will culminate in a call from one of the 30 MLB teams.
