Giants select Jack Payton in 11th Round of 2023 MLB Draft

The catcher is the fourth Louisville baseball player to be selected in the 2023 MLB Draft

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville catcher Jack Payton has been selected by the San Francisco Giants with the No. 330 overall pick in the 11th round of the 2023 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

He is the fourth Cardinal to be selected in this year's draft, following shortstop Christian Knapczyk, left-handed pitcher Tate Kuehner and right-handed pitcher Ryan Hawks. In Dan McDonnell's 17-year tenure as head coach, Payton is Louisville's 103rd MLB Draft selection.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound backstop was unquestionably Louisville's best offensive weapon during the 2023 season. Playing in 48 of the Cardinals' 55 games with 47 starts, he posted a .374/.472/.642 slash line with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 10 doubles and 22 walks.

All three of his slash line categories led the team, as well as his 115 total bases, his home run total tied for the team lead, and his RBI mark came in third. Despite not making an All-ACC team, he was named one of the three finalists for the Buster Posey Award, which is given to the nation's top college catcher.

Even as the secondary catcher to future second round MLB Draft pick Dalton Rushing in 2022 as a sophomore, Payton was still incredibly productive. He hit .350/.429/.504 with four home runs, 54 RBI, 23 doubles, two triples and 32 walks in 63 games and 62 starts. His batting average and hit total (89) led the team, while leading the ACC in doubles, earning a Third-Team All-ACC selection.

Should he sign with the Giants, he would finish his Louisville career with a .356/.445/.552 slash line, 16 home runs, 97 RBIs, 35 doubles, three triples, 57 walks and 106 runs scored in 124 games and 116 starts.

(Photo of Jack Payton: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)

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