For Grant Rogers, it was a dream come true.

For the McNeese State baseball program, it was a validation of what it can offer players.

Rogers became the third Cowboy in three years to be drafted by a Major League team. The ace right-hander went in the 11th round to the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday.

He joins Will Dion (2021) and Cameron Foster (2022) as pitchers drafted out of McNeese. There might have been more had COVID not limited the draft in 2020.

“It is a nice run but it says a lot about the type of players we are getting here,” said Cowboy head coach Justin Hill. “It also shows that you can get better here and if you want to play professional baseball we have a path that can get you there.”

Rogers gave credit to the program and coaches when he was drafted.

“McNeese gave me a great opportunity to get better,” said Rogers. “The program and coaches have all the tools for you to get better if you put in the work.

“The past two years at McNeese have been the best two years of my life. I wouldn’t be where I am without the coaches I’ve had.”

Rogers is the 20th player to be either drafted or signed as a free agent under Hill.

Earlier this summer Grant Anderson became the latest McNeese player to make it to the Major Leagues. The reliever earned a victory in his debut with the Texas Rangers in Detroit.

Then there are the four players from last year’s Cowboy team that signed professional contracts to play in the independent league.

“It is always great when you get to see guys who love playing the game get a chance to continue their careers and get paid to play,” said Hill.

Then there are Andruw Gonzales and Bryson Hudgens. The two transferred to Power 5 schools recently, having used McNeese as a solid stepping stone.

Gonzales, a catcher, has moved to the University of Miami. Hudgens, a pitcher, is now at Oklahoma State.

Hudgens’ story is unique in he made it all the way back from Tommy John Surgery to pitch again for the Pokes.

“What the coaches, trainers, and doctors did to help me here I can never thank them enough,” said Hudgens. “They were with me every step of the way. They gave me a chance to pitch again.”

All this appears to be good for the business of McNeese when it comes to baseball.

While it is tough to lose good players, it is easier to recruit the next batch thanks to the success of others.

“I think we have become a place where players know they can get better,” said Hill. “That’s a good thing for us.

“This shows we have talent here, good coaches and recruit the right kind of people.

“I give a lot of credit to the staff and how they work with players. It helps make us a place kids look at.”

And reason to believe they too can keep playing baseball after McNeese.