PRCC’s Landry drafted by Dodgers in 22nd round

POPLARVILLE – Former Pearl River Community College first baseman Simon Landry finally heard his name called in the Major League Baseball Draft on Wednesday. The question is whether he heard it soon enough to alter his plans.

Landry, who prepped at Ponchatoula (La.) High, was a two-year slugging sensation for the 2018 MACJC state champion Wildcats, and he signed a college scholarship offer in November to play for the University of Houston.

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Landry in the 22nd round of the three-day amateur player draft. Landry was the last player chosen in the 22nd round and the 674th player taken overall.

Landry has until a July 6 deadline to decide whether to take an offer from the Dodgers and go pro, or stick with his plan to attend UH.

Landry, who started every game at first base the past two seasons, led Pearl River in 2018 with a .392 batting average (67 of 171), 19 home runs, 16 doubles and 68 runs-batted-in.

He also scored 51 runs and finished with an OPS of 1.277, including a .830 slugging percentage. He also had a solid freshman season, batting .301 with 16 homers, 46 RBIs and 13 doubles.

Landry set a new school record for home runs in a season this year, breaking the old mark of 18 set in 2004 by PRCC assistant coach Rhyne Hughes.

The Wildcats finished 38-11 overall, 23-5 in conference, won their second state title and advanced to the semifinal round of the MACJC Region 23 Tournament for the second consecutive season.

Landry was the only Wildcat from the 2018 team to get drafted. However, one of PRCC’s incoming freshman signees, outfielder Joe Garry Jr. of Pascagoula, was drafted in the ninth round, 274th overall, by the Minnesota Twins.