P.E.I. native Cole MacLaren signs with Detroit Tigers
June 23, 2019
Official Press Release from University of Pittsburgh Athletics
MacLaren signs with the Detroit Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. – Former University of Pittsburgh catcher Cole MacLaren will continue his baseball career, as the recent graduate signed a free agent deal with the Detroit Tigers Friday afternoon.
MacLaren becomes the second Pitt player to sign with the Tigers this season and the third former Panther in the organization, joining both Connor Perry and Yaya Chentouf.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that the Detroit Tigers organization has given me," MacLaren said. "Without the support of my family, friends, teammates and coaches this would not have been possible. I'm truly humbled and excited to be a part of the Detroit Tigers organization!"
MacLaren was the backbone of the Panther program in his two seasons with the team after transferring from Colby Community College (Kansas) prior to the 2018 campaign. The Prince Edward Island native cemented himself in the Pitt record books with his on base skills, tallying two of the program's top-15 single season walk records and wrapping up his two-year career ranked 14th in total walks (83).
In his first season with the Panthers, MacLaren grinded out a strong season, starting behind the dish in all 55 games, highlighting his season by recording the game-winning RBI in Pitt's thrilling upset victory over top-seeded North Carolina to clinch the pool in the 2018 ACC Tournament.
As a senior, MacLaren again saw a start in each of the team's 53 games, all but two of which came at catcher. He hit .247 with seven doubles and three homers, collecting 20 RBI with a .403 on base mark.
MacLaren is the fourth Pitt player to be selected by a MLB team in the 2019 draft/signing period, joining Dan Hammer, Derek West and Perry.