The catcher from Cal Poly is the third Big Stick ever drafted.

Dickinson, ND – Ryan Stafford heard his name called during the fifth round of the 2024 MLB Draft. The Baltimore Orioles made the catcher out of California Polytechnic State University the 160th overall selection.

Stafford joined the Big Sticks’ roster in 2021, after finishing his senior season at Folsom High School (Folsom, CA). Despite being the youngest member of the roster, he still earned his way onto the all-star team.

He played in 52 games that season, slashing .305/.405/.455 with 15 doubles, 3 home runs, and drove in 28 RBI. He also scored 35 runs and recorded 14 multiple hit games, which included four three-hit games and one four-hit game. In addition, he was the primary catcher for that season, leading the club in innings spent behind the plate.

“The night that Ryan debuted for the Big Sticks, it was in a loss, although he played well” said Sam Henderson, Voice of the Big Sticks and Director of Broadcasting for the team in 2020 & 2021. At the end of my radio interview that night with then head coach Billy Tomblin, I asked if there were any positives from that game. He said without hesitation that Ryan Stafford was the highlight. Ryan continued his momentum the rest of the 2021 summer, and I expect to see him continue to be a highlight for teams at the next level.”

In the past three seasons at Cal Poly, Stafford has flourished even further, demonstrating an immediate impact as a 2022 Freshman All-American. In 172 career games, he has slashed .334/.407/.499 as he has compiled 238 hits, 60 doubles, 16 home runs, 123 RBIs, and 146 runs scored.

Stafford also showed defensive prowess among the top catchers in the nation. In 2024, he was named Big West Defensive Player of the Year and was named a finalist for the Buster Posey Award. The prestigious award recognizes the best catcher in college baseball. Stafford was one of three finalists and the first catcher in Cal Poly history to do so.

“We could not be more excited for Ryan” said Logan Hoff, General Manager of the Badlands Big Sticks. “Even as the youngest guy on the roster, he worked hard and had a very contagious energy when he was here. We know that he will make the Orioles proud!”

Stafford is now the record holder as the highest former Big Stick to ever be drafted at pick number 160. The Big Sticks had their first two draft picks in 2023 with pitcher Stu Flesland III (University of Washington) taken by the Colorado Rockies in round 11 with the 322nd pick, and second-baseman Mac McCroskey (Oral Roberts University) taken by the Los Angeles Angels in round 20 with the 594th pick. Currently, Flesland is with the Rockies’ Single-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies, and McCroskey is with the Angels’ Double-A affiliate, the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Both players played for the Big Sticks in 2020.