Ethan Young Drafted in Fifth Round by St. Louis Cardinals After Breakout Season at ECU
It only took one season in Greenville for Ethan Young to make his mark — and now he’s headed to the next level.
The hard-throwing right-hander was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 150th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft, becoming the second Pirate selected in the top five rounds, following infielder Dixon Williams (136th overall to the Braves).
Young’s pick falls in a slot valued at just over $470,000, and he is expected to sign and forgo his final season of college eligibility.
After transferring in from Catawba Valley Community College, Young spent just one year at East Carolina, but played a massive role in the Pirates’ 2025 pitching success. Despite working almost exclusively out of the bullpen, he threw the second-most innings on the staff, logging 70.1 innings across 23 appearances (one start). He finished with a 5-0 record, 3.84 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts to 34 walks, allowing just 57 hits on the season.
Young’s dominant arsenal was headlined by a mid-90s fastball that regularly touched 98–99 mph, making it one of the hardest fastballs in the American Athletic Conference. His high-intensity delivery gave him strikeout upside, while a developing mix of slider, curveball, and changeup added depth to his profile.
Scouts see Young as one of the more intriguing arms in the draft due to his versatility. Some project him as a late-inning reliever at the next level given his effort-heavy mechanics, but others believe there’s a path to starting if his secondary stuff continues to develop. He went three or more innings in 15 of his 23 outings, including three games with five-plus innings, showing he can handle extended outings when needed.
Young joins a Cardinals organization that has consistently targeted Pirate talent — this marks the fifth ECU player drafted by St. Louis since 2017. Former ECU star Alec Burleson is currently a staple in the Cardinals’ major league lineup, and Young will now have the chance to follow a similar path.
In just one season at ECU, Young left a lasting impact. Under head coach Cliff Godwin and pitching coach Austin Knight, he transformed from a strong JUCO arm into one of the top power right-handers in the country and now, he’ll bring that firepower to the professional ranks.