Troy right-handed pitcher Jay Dill has been selected by the Athletics in the 18th round of the MLB Draft, holding the 530th overall pick. Troy head coach Skylar Meade praised Dill’s development over his two years at Troy, highlighting his fastball and improved command. “Jay has made himself into a true pitcher in his two years in Troy,” Meade stated. “His elite fastball has been the calling, topping at 98-plus, but he truly improved command and pitchability plenty since August of 2023. The A’s got a steal in my opinion, and we can’t wait to see him punch tickets in pro ball.”
Dill is among three Trojans drafted this year, alongside Brooks Bryan selected by the Royals in the eighth round and Noah Edders chosen by the Cubs in the 15th round. This marks a significant achievement for Troy as it is their first instance since 2018 to have three players drafted.
Originating from Dayton, Tennessee, Dill recorded impressive statistics during his time with Troy after transferring from Clemson. Over two seasons, he struck out 114 hitters across 95 innings. In his junior year of 2024, he led with three saves and doubled that number to six saves in 2025, ranking fifth within the Sun Belt.
In spring, Dill achieved a career-best ERA of 3.67 while leading with an average of 12.86 strikeouts per nine innings within the Sun Belt Conference. His performance included an outstanding game against Arkansas State where he struck out eleven batters over five shutout innings.
