LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Recent Stillman College graduate
Steven Oates represented the Tigers baseball program June 3 in the third annual Minority Baseball Prospects HBCU All-Star Game at Coolray Field, home of the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett Stripers.
"It means a lot. I put in a lot of work and a lot of hours, and it's nice to be out here among the top talent from HBCUs," Oates said. "It's really a blessing to learn from guys who have been in a position I'd like to get to at some point.
Oates made his HBCU All-Star debut in the third inning for Team Andre Dawson, which was coached by former Braves center fielder Marquis Grissom. He faced nine batters, allowing four runs off four hits in the eventual 8-7 loss to Team Ralph Garr. Dawson, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and eight-time MLB All-Star, was unable to attend the game.
The Mobile, Alabama native graduated in May with his bachelor's degree in psychology and will report to Batavia, New York this summer to compete for the Batavia Muckdogs in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.
During the 2023 season, Oates collected two wins, including a combined no-hitter in the season opener. He struck out 54 batters in 51.2 innings pitched. During his three-year career at Stillman, Oates pitched 95.1 innings in 28 games, including 22 starts. He had three wins and one save. He struck out 96.
Oates was joined by Stillman left fielder and three-time HBCU All-Star
Kelvin Reese with a selection to the game, but Reese was unable to participate due to injury. Reese was the 2021 HBCU All-Star Offensive MVP in Hoover, Alabama and also played at Truist Park in 2022.
The All-Star Weekend also featured a pro combine, fastest prospect competition, home run derby and youth camp.
