Logsdon’s fire fuels pursuit of professional dreams

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The disappointment echoed in Lance Logsdon’s voice.

So did the fire it stoked.

The left-handed swinging Quincy University designated hitter/first baseman went to the MLB Draft League this summer intent on showcasing a full offensive arsenal that would lead to being selected in the 20-round MLB amateur draft.

It didn’t happen. Despite his productivity, the Canton, Mo., native was bypassed on the third day of the draft. He learned from his coaches with the Williamsport Crosscutters and former QU skipper Josh Rabe several teams had inquired or researched him.

“I was right on the edge,” Logsdon said.

He wasn’t alone.

“There’s probably 150 other guys who were right on the edge,” Logsdon said.

Had the draft lasted longer — 612 selections were made over 20 rounds — Logsdon’s name may have been called in the next five rounds.

Because he will be turning 22 years old during his fourth season at QU next spring, Logsdon believes he may have missed his chance for a big contract or signing bonus typically afforded younger prospects.

He also has the right perspective on that.

“Every kid when they’re 6 years old doesn’t say they want to make money,” Logsdon said. “They say they want to play professional baseball.”

Missing out on an opportunity to do that stings a little.

“It’s not easy when you’ve worked so hard for it,” Logsdon said. “It gives you the fire for next year.”

There’s plenty of that.

Heading into this weekend’s three-game series against the State College Spikes — the eight teams in the league are in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia — Logsdon leads the Crosscutters with a .323 average. He has 18 walks in 114 plate appearances to go with six doubles, one home run and 10 RBIs.

He’s eighth in the league in hitting.

“I feel I’ve showcased my skills as much as possible, other than showing a power tool, which I didn’t do the greatest job of,” Logsdon said. “Otherwise, I did what I was supposed to do. I think I’ve gotten everything I needed out of it.

“I’ve learned a lot. I know what I have to do moving forward to take that next step as a player to be where I need to be next year.”

That countdown has already begun.

“I have the feedback on what I have to do as a player these next 360-something days before the draft,” Logsdon said. “Everything is still out in front of me. The biggest thing is you’re going to see a whole different mentality from me.”

That should make Great Lakes Valley Conference pitchers nervous.

The Hawks went 29-15 in the spring and reached the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional for the sixth straight season. Logsdon was the team’s second-leading hitter with a .365 average, 12 doubles, 12 home runs and a team-leading 55 RBIs.

He’s hitting .324 in 109 career games with 28 doubles, 21 home runs and 103 RBIs.

“I’ll be coming back next year with an even better mind frame and skill set,” Logsdon said.

Some of that can be attributed to the feedback from the Crosscutters’ coaching staff.

“You just learn so many small things,” Logsdon said. “Everybody has the big things down. Everybody knows how to swing a bat. So it’s small feedback here and there, little tips you’re getting. More than anything, you’re seeing better pitching.

“You have to be a lot cleaner with your mechanics and learn how to compete every day at a high level. It’s one of the biggest things you can learn.”

Logsdon has done that day in and day out since arriving in Williamsport in early June. It’s allowed him to believe his dream of playing professionally is within reach.

“It gives me confidence to say I deserve a chance at some point,” Logsdon said. “I’m not going to say someone is going to give it to me. I feel I can earn the chance to get there next year hopefully. If I keep doing my thing, I’ll just keep getting better.”

That could lead to receiving a critical call from a major league scout during the draft next summer.

“At this point, I want to get an opportunity and run with it,” Logsdon said.