Canisius junior outfielder Jackson Strong became the 16th player in program history to be drafted on Monday as he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Strong is the seventh junior in program history to be drafted, following last year’s selection of junior pitcher Matt Duffy by the Boston Red Sox. His selection in the seventh round (pick No. 206 overall) makes him the second-highest draft pick in school history, and he is the first player from a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) school to be taken in this year’s draft.

“This whole process was kind of a blur, but I am so happy and so blessed to be drafted today,” Strong said. “I was here at my house with my family, watching the draft on TV and my agent called and told me Detroit was going to take me in either the seventh or eighth round, and then about five minutes later, it came up on the screen in the seventh round. It is a dream come true and I am so excited that I got the chance to share this with my family because they have always been behind me every step of the way.”

With Strong’s selection by Detroit on Monday, all 16 Canisius players drafted have been taken by an American League team. Strong is the first player Canisius player to be chosen by the Tigers organization.

“Jackson has earned this opportunity and we could not be prouder of all he has accomplished in his time here at Canisius,” Canisius head baseball coach Matt Mazurek said. “Jackson stuck things out, worked hard and when given his opportunity, he took it and made the most of it. He made himself into a two-time All-MAAC First-Team selection and now he is the second-highest highest draft pick in our program’s history. It is pretty amazing. This is a testament to who Jackson is, and how he was raised. This is only just the beginning of what is ahead for him. We are truly excited to see where he will go.”

One of 10 players in program history to earn All-MAAC First Team honors on multiple occasions (2023, 2024), Strong played in 111 career games as a Golden Griffin, where he made 93 starts. His career .342 batting average ranks in the top-15 in program history, and his 24 career home runs rank seventh in the school’s record book. He leaves Canisius tied for the program’s all-time record in stolen bases with 57, highlighted by his school-record 42 stolen bags in 2024.

In 2024, the West Seneca, N.Y., native hit .305 with a .482 on-base percentage, a .621 slugging percentage and a 1.130 OPS. He led Canisius in hits (62), runs (55), RBI (44), triples (3), home runs (11), total bases (110) and steals. He ranked among the top-10 in the MAAC in in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, runs, triples, home runs and walks (41), and his 42 stolen bases not only led the conference but ranked third in the NCAA.

A two-time MAAC All-Academic Team honoree and a three-time MAAC Academic Honor Roll selection, Strong played in three MAAC Baseball Championship tournaments and was on the Griffs’ active roster when the Blue and Gold won the 2022 MAAC Baseball crown and advanced to the 2022 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament.

“I cannot say enough about Matt Mazurek and the Canisius baseball program,” Strong said. “Maz taught me to be disciplined and intentional in everything I do, on and off the field. He is a tremendous leader and he made me work harder every day. I would not be here without my teammates, our assistant coaches and everyone involved with our baseball program. I am excited and grateful to take what I learned at Canisius into the Tigers organization.”

Canisius Draft Picks

• Jackson Strong # — 2024 (Detroit Tigers, 7th round)

• Matt Duffy # – 2023 (Boston Red Sox, 4th round)

• Tyler Smith – 2018 (Los Angeles Angels, 8th round)

• Jake Lumley — 2017 (Oakland Athletics, 33rd round)

• Brett Siddall # – 2015 (Oakland Athletics, 13th round)

• Connor Panas – 2015 (Toronto Blue Jays, 9th round)

• Devon Stewart – 2015 (Cleveland Indians, 9th round)

• Rohn Pierce # — 2014 (Seattle Mariners, 19th round)

• Garrett Cortright # — 2013 (Baltimore Orioles, 40th round)

• Sean Jamieson — 2011 (Oakland Athletics, 17th round)

• Chris Cox — 2011 (Toronto Blue Jays, 39th round)

• Shane Davis — 2011 (Toronto Blue Jays, 42nd round)

• Steve McQuail # — 2010 (Toronto Blue Jays, 30th round)

• Kevin Mahoney — 2009 (New York Yankees, 23rd round)

• Kevin Mailloux — 2009 (Seattle Mariners, 45th round)

• Joe Mamott # — 1994 (Boston Red Sox, 6th round)

# — selected as a junior