Howland’s Lewis signs with Orioles

June 8, 2019 at 12:05a.m.

Baltimore selects Seton Hill outfielder in 33rd round

Craig Lewis powered his way through injuries to get on Major League Baseball’s radar.

The 2016 Howland graduate was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 33rd round of the 2019 MLB Draft on Wednesday. He got the attention of the American League side despite playing 27 college baseball games at Seton Hill in his past two seasons.

“It was awesome. I was in the living room with my family when I got the call and I accepted,” Lewis said. “I had to wait a while for the pick to come in, but it was awesome to have my family there to support me when the call came.”

He had a tough road to get to get that phone call. Lewis was first-team All-District selection and the All-American Confernce Red Tier’s co-Player of the Year in his final season at Howland, but had just two scholarship offers — Seton Hill and Walsh — who are both Division II programs.

He had a promising freshman season in the outfield, starting 53 out of 55 games. He tied for the team lead in batting average with .379 and hit 21 doubles, three triples and four home runs with 33 RBIs and 28 stolen bases, earning second-team All-Pennsylvania Scholastic Athletic Conference and ABCA/Rawlings All-Atlantic Region team honors.

A broken hand left him sidelined for most of sophomore season, but he was able to get a medical redshirt. Even with a do-over in 2019, the injury bug bit in the form of a torn hamstring.

“It was tough having two straight seasons where I was injured, but I knew my skills could get me there. I was just pushing to get myself healthy and stay healthy,” Lewis said. “My teammates, coaches and family’s support during my recovery was outstanding. I really have to thank them for being a big part of getting to me where I am.”

Lewis said the interest from the pros started after his freshman season and was healthy enough to turn in a good pro day performance his sophomore year to further that interest, but the hamstring scared some teams away.

“I had another good pro day this past fall and I had some meetings with some teams and they were interested in me,” Lewis said. “I worked out with three teams before the draft and it went really well.

“It came down to who wanted me the most.”

Lewis is the second Howland graduate in the Orioles system. Relief pitcher Tanner Scott is currently in Triple A Norfolk. He’s made eight appearances with the big-league team this season.

In a few days, Lewis will make his way to Saratosa, Fla. and report to the Orioles’ Gulf Coast League affiliate — the GCL Orioles. The GCL is considered to be the entry-level rung of the minor league baseball ladder. From there, the team can decide where to send him. There’s a possibility he could return to the Mahoning Valley as a member of the Aberdeen Ironbirds, which plays in the same league as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

“A lot of people have reached out to me that I haven’t talked to since high school,” Lewis said. “Being able to play in front of them locally — those people who have supported me — would be an amazing experience.”